Failed Nations and Their Threat to The United States

Failed nations present an enormous threat to the United States. I maintain this for a few reasons. First, a failed state is an attractive breeding ground for terrorism. Second, failed economies and/or an unstable populace can and often does bleed into otherwise stable nations. Finally, the regional instability of failed states frequently results in extended military conflicts outside of that territory. Therefore, the threat emanating from failed nations is not one to be taken lightly.

Failed Nations Harbor Terrorists

Now the term “failed nations,” to make clear, is applicable to a country whose government no longer has central authority. Therefore, a failed state is a haven for the development of terrorist regimes. Unlike a nation with a stable government, these regimes are able to work out in the open and take advantage of the country’s resources. They don’t have to worry about curtailing the government if it can’t exert authority over its own dominion. A prime example of this concept is Somalia, which ranks number one on the Failed States index. Since their central authority completely vanished in the 1990s, Al Qaeda has been using the country as a training ground and safe haven to carry out attacks on Kenya. Afghanistan, even with U.S. presence, is teeming with Al Qaeda, while also producing three quarters of the world’s heroin. Case in point, failed nations offer terrorist regimes a place to organize without threat from any government.

Failed Nations Threaten United States Economic Security 

Failed economies and populaces also hinder United States and global progress. The United States relies on trading with many African and Central Asian nations for oil and other natural resources. However, with unstable governments, these nations are making inefficient use of these resources, and the U.S. is consistently getting the short of the stick (a.k.a. not our fair share). Furthermore, if a failed state becomes the epicenter of a disease, it could quickly spiral out of control and become a global pandemic. With AIDS still prevalent in many African nations, local governments are unable to stop the spread of this disease, and first world countries are forced to send aid, which further drains our resources.

Failed Nations Cause Military Conflicts That Involve the United States

The “spillover effects” of failed nations can also put their regional neighbors at risk. Collapsed governments can not regulate the amount of drug trafficking, violence, and human refugees that might flow into other states. After Liberia’s governmental collapsed, Charles Taylor took power, and thousands of people were displaced. Furthermore, Taylor’s aggressive tactics sparked civil war with three neighboring nations, and by the time the United States got involved and Taylor was ousted, all of western Africa was on edge.

Corrupt governments, decimated economies, and terrorist regimes cause the greatest threat to the United State because of one concept: anarchy. Failed states have no room to rationality, and therefore, pretty much anything can happen, whether it is a terrorist attack or economic collapse. Therefore, dealing with the threat of failed nations should be one of our government’s top priorities.