THE COUNTRIES THAT DON’T EXIST
Are you ready to start 2013 with a great adventure?
I'd like you to come with me to the countries that don't exist: one that does exist but the world says it doesn't - and the other that doesn't exist but the world says it does.
Imagine a Moslem country that is a real democracy, pro-America, pro-free market, despises Islamist ideology and terrorism, and lies athwart one of the world's most critical chokepoints in global shipping and trade.
The US State Department would leap at the chance to support such a country, right? You are probably cynically shaking your head no - but it's much worse than that. Our government refuses to recognize the country's existence. In fact, no government or international organization in the world does - yet it has been sovereign and independent since 1991.
With no help or recognition from anyone, this country has managed to survive - and survive as a capitalist Moslem terrorist-free democracy - for over 20 years. This is a heroic achievement - and unknown to most everyone on the planet.
We are talking about Somaliland - the country that does exist but the world says it doesn't. The other country that doesn't exist but the world insists that it does? Somalia.
Yes, we are going to both. More precisely, Somaliland and the one part of Somalia that remains: the capital of Mogadishu.
Yet it would be foolish in the extreme to travel to Mogadishu without professional security protection. Thus our "movement security" guarding our every move in Mogadishu will be conducted by teams of ex-US and British Special Forces, the same experienced soldiers who protect UN, diplomatic, and international agency personnel.
While Somaliland is peaceful and far safer than Mogadishu, we will nonetheless have Somaliland military protection while there.
We'll find Somaliland to be a peaceful, safe, and bustlingly busy place, with friendly people overjoyed to see us. In Mogadishu, we'll see people heroically struggling to triumph over unimaginable adversity. We'll have an unmatched memorable experience, and have an indelible understanding of a part of the world so much is heard about and so little is known.
Here's the itinerary. Enjoy the pictures...
