9/11
#8 Legitimacy deficit. Occupying powers lose when they offer no acceptable political alternative to the regime they fight. Betts (1995), Nagl (2002). Most underrated factor in the literature on Iraq and Afghanistan.
#Legitimacy #StateBuilding #Iraq #Afghanistan #Occupation

Ella Baron on the disastrous history of US post-war 'reconstruction' - if this is the future for Iran, heaven help the Iranians!

#Iran #politics #StateBuilding

h/t Guardian

How does a #society survive #genocide—& then rebuild a state? A deep dive into #Isaaq #genealogy, oral tradition, & political resilience reveals why continuity drives #Somaliland’s stability. Must-read article by @itsd0c. #IsaaqGenocide #StateBuilding

https://saxafimedia.com/erased-extinguished-isaaq-nation-genocide/

Erased, Not Extinguished: How The Isaaq Forged A Nation From Genocide | Saxafi Media

“Erased, Not Extinguished: How the Isaaq Forged a Nation from Genocide” is a compelling and rigorously researched article that examines how the Isaaq clan-family’s deep genealogical traditions, territorial foundations, and decentralized political institutions produced a resilient social order—one capable of withstanding colonial disruption, state collapse, and genocidal violence.

SaxafiMedia

New #Analysis compares #Somalia’s 35-year collapse to a plane crash with no black box—rooted in clan divisions, absent national identity, & failed #StateBuilding. #Somaliland’s contrasting stability offers a model the region cannot ignore.

https://saxafimedia.com/somalias-situation-plane-crash-black-box/

Somalia's Situation Resembles A Plane Crash Without A Recovered Black Box | Saxafi Media

A deep political analysis comparing Somalia’s prolonged state collapse to a plane crash without a recovered black box. The article examines how clan divisions, weak institutions, foreign interference, and the absence of a unified national identity have prevented Somalia’s recovery, while highlighting Somaliland’s contrasting success in state-building.

SaxafiMedia

In 2000, #Somaliland rejected the #Djibouti-led #ArtaConference, citing its #sovereignty, hard-won stability, & 1991 withdrawal from #Somalia. President Egal affirmed SL's independent #StateBuilding efforts & warned against being drawn into SOs conflict.

https://saxafimedia.com/somaliland-2000-arta-conference-sovereignty/

How Somaliland Rejected 2000 Djibouti Peace Talks “Arta Conference”, Citing Sovereignty And Hard-Won Stability | Saxafi Media

Somaliland’s government has formally rejected participation in the Djibouti-led peace process for Somalia — known as the Arta Conference — asserting that it has already restored peace and governance independently and will not be drawn back into Somalia’s conflict.

SaxafiMedia
Utah state building. I for the most part, like big government buildings, and this one was very pretty, but it was also super plain on the inside. If you want to see a special place, go look at Texas. That’s a special building


#35 #35mm #film #filmisnotdead #kodak #portra #kodakgold #iso200 #gold200#portra400 #oakland #thetown #cali #california #utah #statebuilding #saltlakecity
Today starts my film recount of our trip to Salt Lake City in Utah. Honestly, not one of my favorite places. The people were nice, the liquor laws were odd, but not a foot traffic friendly city



#35 #35mm #film #filmisnotdead #kodak #portra #portra400 #oakland #thetown #cali #california #slc #saltlakecity #utah #flags #statebuilding #capital

This journal article explores #Somaliland's unique path to #stability. "When less was more: #ExternalAssistance & #PoliticalSettlement in Somaliland" by @DrSarahPhillips argues that limited external aid fostered internal cooperation & peace, challenging conventional #Statebuilding models

https://saxafimedia.com/somaliland-when-less-was-more/

When Less Was More: External Assistance And The Political Settlement In Somaliland | Saxafi Media

When less was more: external assistance and the political settlement in Somaliland appears in the May edition of International Affairs by Dr. Sarah Phillips

SaxafiMedia

📖 “The Origins of Political Order” by Francis Fukuyama is both thrilling and terrifying. Why?

Because it redefines how civilizations really formed — and what’s at risk today.

💥 5 explosive takeaways:
➡️ Tribalism is not ancient history — it’s still here.
➡️ Political decay can hit any nation.

Read more: https://www.probinism.com/the-origins-of-political-order-deep-analysis/

#TheOriginsOfPoliticalOrder, #FrancisFukuyama, #PoliticalTheory, #StateBuilding, #DemocracyCrisis, #GlobalPolitics, #IntellectualBooks, #HistoryMatters,