Containing Terrorism: U.S Involvement in the Horn of Africa

United States' involvement in the Horn of Africa, which includes the states of Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Eritrea, dates back to the beginning of the last century. In an effort to examine and understand why the United States finds this region important to its own interests, I intend to examine each states and American involvement in a specific issue involving the state. The United States has a significant presence and utilizes different modes of containing terrorism in each state in the Horn region. This study will analyze the history of the Global War on Terrorism, and also how containing terrorism has become a priority for the U.S. in the Horn region. By analyzing historical data, interviewing American aid workers and both American and regional diplomats, this thesis will answer a unique question: why is this region so important to the United States? Can containing terrorism be the driving force behind American involvement?