The United States had demonstrated its military superiority
worldwide with its lightning victory over Iraq in 1991. As the
only superpower in the world, few would argue that Washington
could not prevail in a conventional conflict. Humanitarian
missions, however, were another story. Although the United
States had experience in a few humanitarian missions, it had
just concluded operations in northern Iraq, and was soon to
support the United Nations program to help the people in a
failed state - Somalia. Somalia was falling apart; it had ceased
to exist as a country. Warring tribes had reduced it into an
area controlled by warlords. Clan and internecine warfighting
had caused major disruption in Somali life. Starvation was a
weapon used by the clans. Humanitarian aid and relief arrived
but, without security, this support provided little help to the
people. On 15 August 1992, President George H.W. Bush ordered
military units to airlift supplies into Kenya under Operation
Provide Relief. These supplies would enter