Post 9/11 Somalia: the strategic role of health systems strengthening in global security.

The publisher does not give any warranty express or implied or make any representation that the contents will be complete or accurate or up to date. The accuracy of any instructions, formulae, and drug doses should be independently verified with primary sources. The publisher shall not be liable for any loss, actions, claims, proceedings, demand, or costs or damages whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with or arising out of the use of this material. Introduction The events of 9/11 precipitated a reappraisal of international policy in almost every field of practice and in every corner of the globe. Much of the publicized consequences has been of the military agenda of the United States, United Kingdom and the NATO coalition in Iraq and Afghanistan. However, elsewhere in other fragile states international intervention and its impact on health have been profoundly shaped by 9/11 but often in a less militaristic fashion. Somalia is a country of particular international significance in the post 9/11 era, as a hotbed of Islamic fundamentalism, the cradle of international maritime crime and a seat of some of the most horrific parameters of human ill-health (WHO 2010). In view of the strategic importance of Somalia for international terror networks there has been sharpening of the global focus on development and stability in the region since 9/11. It is against this backdrop that we analyse the significant incremental improvements in healthcare in Somaliland to see how 9/11 impacted on Somalia's place in the international policy arena, what influence this has had on health and to reflect on the possible impact of health systems strengthening in the region on future global security. Many commentators considered the situation in Somalia to be amongst the most intractable in the world. Al Shabaab's withdrawal from Mogadishu in early August 2011 therefore was as much of a surprise to governments as to NGOs. The insurgents, for years the controlling force in economically