Study on vulnerabilities of al-Shabaab

This September, the U.S. Army War College published a study on the vulnerabilities of al-Shabaab titled "Somalia: Line in the Sand—Identification of MYM Vulnerabilities."

Written by Eloy E. Cuevas and Madeleine Wells, the analysis highlights the success of al-Shabaab’s communication campaign that uses organic websites, online magazines and newsletters and international press conferences.

The authors identify al-Shabaab’s strategic, operational and tactical vulnerabilities organized according to four sources of national power: diplomatic, informational, military and economic. They also offer some ideas on defeating al-Shabaab.