In many respects, Somalia and the DRC are worse off than my chosen country, the USSR. Let us first examine the state of Somalia, which has had its fair share of problems. In 2011, for example, a famine swept through the country and killed 260,000 people. Over 2 million people were left grappling with food shortages. In other areas of interest, Somalis have had to deal with numerous pirate attacks and with considerable political disturbances. According to the Failed States Index 2013: The Troubled Ten, Somalia is considered to be “… one of the most dangerous places on the planet and certainly one of the least stable” (Messner & Lawrence, 2013).
By comparison, the DRC has been even worse off. Rebels known as the M23 have terrorized the country at large. Eastern Congo is plagued by human rights violations that seem to know no bounds. In addition to political turmoil, the DRC has had to deal with crippling diseases such as Ebola and Cholera. Finally, issues surrounding sexual violence and rape continue to make headline news. On the Fragile States Index, the DRC has been ranked 8th overall with a score of 110 points. Major points of concern include food scarcity, population growth, and morality rates.
The USSR has had its ups and downs. On the Fragile States Index, Russia ranks 65th overall with a score of 81 points. Over recent years, problems related to the Syrian refugee crisis and disparities among ethnic minorities coupled with overt discrimination and racism have caused problems in the former USSR state. Certain nationalistic tendencies are starting to worry scholars, journalists and policy makers. For example, the neo-Nazi movement known as the Russian National Unity party has been advocating for the expulsion of non-Russians and for the rise in power of the Russian Orthodox Church. Unlike Somalia and the DCR, the USSR is relatively stable. The economy is doing well and international affairs are prospering due to Vladimir Putin’s iron strong grip on international relations. Like Somalia and the DCR, however, Russia will be dealing with an influx of migrants from Syria and neighboring countries.
- Messner, J.J. & Lawrence, K. (2013). Failed States Index 2013: The Troubled Ten. http://library.fundforpeace.org/fsi13-troubled10
- Fragile States Index. http://foreignpolicy.com/fragile-states-index-2016-brexit-syria-refugee-europe-anti-migrant-boko-haram/#rankings
