First, go read Michael Totten’s The Globalization of Chaos in which he addresses the various trouble spots around the world (e.g., Congo) and what to do about it. An excerpt doesn’t do the piece justice, but I love this part and can’t resist posting it here. Michael speaks of the need to reform the UN, then continues with:

Here’s a slightly more plausible option.

Convince Europeans they are duty-bound to clean up the messes left behind in their former colonies. Not by a long shot can every problem in the Congo be laid at Belgium’s feet, nor can Algeria’s problems all be blamed on the French. But Belgium and France were at one time responsible for those countries, and when they slunk back to Europe in their post-imperial shame, their former colonies plunged into nightmare worlds of chaos, terror, and despair.

America can’t fix all the world’s problems. If the Third World is to receive any real help, Europeans will have to pull their weight. They need to get over their post-imperial guilt, snap out of their isolationist wallowing, and be serious. I’m not holding my breath, but it might happen if the world gets lucky.

Now go read Joe Katzman’s U.S. Military: No Blood for Congo. Good stuff.

Kudos to Donald Sensing at One Hand Clapping for the link.