See here for an article on their squabble. Ethiopia is building a big dam that will produce a lot of electricity, but it will also reduce water in the Nile, and Egypt depends heavily on the waters of the Nile. The article says that our government is considering sanctions on Ethiopia, but I have to wonder why we are involved at all. This squabble is for others to solve. In particular and in order of importance, it is the business of (1) the African Union, (2) the United Nations, and (3) the European Union, not because they are involved in it at all, but because they are in fact nearer to it than we are. We should just stay out.
Once we get involved, then all the legions of people who insist that we are the source of all evil in the world will chide us for whatever awful things happen as a result of our involvement. It’s better just to stay out and let people see how awful things can get even when we aren’t around to cause them.
Doesn't matter. The people who work for the State Department consider themselves World Justiciars, and every problem concerns them.
Can you imagine the career prospects of the people responsible for East Africa if this crisis wasn't interfered with by them? It would go over very poorly and they would not be promoted. People's jobs are on the line here and this crisis is too valuable to go to waste.
Posted by: Harland | 08/03/2020 at 07:41 AM
I suppose it's something like that, though I think we're favoring Egypt, so it would be the people on the Egypt desk whose jobs are on the line.
Thanks for the comment.
Posted by: John Pepple | 08/03/2020 at 08:48 AM