tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1571201204115952544.post5953300815322496508..comments2024-03-15T00:21:37.019-07:00Comments on The Trench: Is Somalia Nearing A Tipping Point?James Gundunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16141055666432969361noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1571201204115952544.post-42815750329829516212010-06-06T10:28:29.189-07:002010-06-06T10:28:29.189-07:00Fantastic post. I commented on my blog about this...Fantastic post. I commented on my blog about this RAND study as well. I also talked about the soldiers leaving due to low pay. <br /><br />My thoughts on it are simple. The Somali soldier is more mercenary than anything. They will go where the money is. It reminds me of the 'little T' or taliban in Afghanistan who leave the army because the government pays less than the Taliban. <br /><br />The rule of thumb is that you always pay your guys more than your competitors if you want them to stick around. You see this in business and you see this in warfare, and Somalia is not immune to this free market warfare concept. Even the piracy we see off the coast is fueled by a desire to profit, and not some idea of national defense.Matthttp://www.feraljundi.comnoreply@blogger.com