The dual gift of location, both good and bad

[Old_Observer]

3 countries in the world suffered more than they gained so far from their location.

1. Afghanistan

2. Somalia (Somali all)

3. Yemen

 

After 1000 years Afghanistan have been now completely land locked for almost 100 years.

Yemen has ports and sea coast, but not being used

Except for Djibouti Somali also not using ports and sea coast

 

Depending on how one sees it, all these countries also have resources from oil/gas to special earth and uranium which can be next pain if not settled.

 

What do you think is the solution for the location problem?

 

Should these countries give up some of their location? The Afghan gave up sea access after their conflict with British. Yemen gave up two provinces (99 year lease) to Saudi Arabia and the British are involved. Somali gave up two enclaves and British are involved.

Yet none of these brought peace and security for the rest.

 

News:

The Rabo Saudi forces have re taken Aden after a fierce fight. It was taken by Southern separatists UAE forces 2 weeks ago.

Al Qaeda is also in waiting and might have allied with Saudi/Rabo forces to retake Abyan and now Airport of Aden.

Never ending shifting sands.

 

[Old_Observer]

Sea coast and ports is great to have, but is not so critical for having decent governance or economy. You can even have great shipping companies or navy, but is expensive.

The Swiss found a solution by going to banking/finance, agriculture, manufacturing, tourism..etc so they are self sufficient, not involved in wars last 200 years, armed and dangerous for their size and what they need. Good manufacturing and food supply so not much importing.

 

Some countries like Ethiopia have lost sea coast 150-100 years ago and still not accepted the situation and create an economy based on that reality. Still hoping there is some chaos and get a chance to snatch some port. Very sad and very bad.

Sea coast loss was accepted in Afghanistan, the problem is they are also at the center of roads Euro-Asia.

 

 

[galbeedi]

OO,

40 to 50 years ago sea access wasn't that important. International trade was mostly based western Europe, North America and Japan and few Asian tigers. India, China, and Brazil were not even the top 25. The USA was the only Trillion dollar economy. 

Today, China is hitting 20 trillion and the world economy is 70 trillion. Thanks to international trade, economic growth , and sea access is going to be huge.Imagine if Japan was landlocked, Thousands of trains and trucks could not have handled their export cargo. 

Afghanistan is full of rare earth elements.Even Trump complained about not getting those elements while CHina is planning to get in without firing a shot. 

On the other hand , good climate, easy access to sea , and abundant resources make certain nations lazy and complacent. One thing I know is that if Somalis ever rise from these ashes, we would be unstoppable. the Ethiopians will probably work for us like Mexicans in America.

OO, remember, many nations in the Arab world and Africa have yet to go through what we through, and there is zero chances for many to survive like us.

[Old_Observer]

18 hours ago, galbeedi said:

OO,

 

OO, remember, many nations in the Arab world and Africa have yet to go through what we through, and there is zero chances for many to survive like us.

 

That is coming very fast. If crisis like 2008, 1927..etc happens in the world, more people will perish in Africa and the middle east for lack of government.

Somalia maybe in 100 enclaves, but the Nomad will survive by experience.

 Ugaas, Sultan, Shiek's,  Boqor...will all be dusted up and functioning in no time for surviving. That means your one Somalia for all Somalis will have to be shelved for another century.