Somalia: The Fight Against Jihadists Takes Two Steps Forward, One Step Back

Despite the best efforts of Somalia's neighbors, stability in the country is still hovering out of reach. On Sept. 29, the hard-line Islamist militia al Shabaab took control of Barire, a village located about 50 kilometers (31 miles) outside Mogadishu. The assault reportedly involved the use of a car bomb and killed at least 17 Somali soldiers. The Somali National Armed Forces (SNAF) and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) had retaken Barire from al Shabaab just last month; their failure to hold the village highlights the challenges Somalia has faced and will face in attempting to counter the jihadist group and defend Somali territory....