July 29, 2011 — EJ Hogendoorn and Lauren Ploch joined us for a discussion on the security and political implications of the drought in East Africa, and in particular, the famine in Somalia. EJ Hogendoorn is the Director of the Horn of Africa Project at the International Crisis Group, where he has conducted research on the conflict in Somalia. Lauren Ploch is a specialist in African affairs at the Congressional Research Service.
How severe is the drought in East Africa, and is the famine likely to spread beyond Somalia? Given the mass migration flows from Somalia in to Kenya what are the implications for security and stability in the region? How are the deteriorating environmental conditions likely to impact Somalia’s internal conflict and piracy off its coast?
Security for a New Century is a nonpartisan discussion group for Congress. We meet regularly with U.S. and international policy professionals to discuss the post-Cold War and post-9/11 security environment. All discussions are OFF-THE-RECORD. It is not an advocacy venue. The series is co-sponsored by Senators Richard Lugar (R – IN) and Ben Nelson (D – NE). For more information contact Mark Yarnell at [email protected] or (202) 224-7560.