In the immediate past, I caught the last few minutes of Charlie Rose, an interview with General William "Kip" Ward, U.S. Army, the commander of the brand-new U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM). Mr. Rose asked General Ward why the United States was taking such an unilateral approach to Africa, rather than trying to work in a more internationally cooperative capacity; I do not believe Charlie was trying to make any political point, he was merely asking a very legitimate question. General Ward replied that the purpose of AFRICOM is to provide a unified command structure that will enable the U.S., both alone and in cooperation with the international community, to better serve both our own national interests and humanitarian concerns on the continent; the Africa Command is a tool, not a policy.

In contrast, here is an example of the dubious success of collective decision making, the U.N.-A.U. mission to the Darfur region of the Sudan: farcelink. Working with the Sudanese government is like coordinating with the Imperial Japanese Army to stop the Rape of Nanking (today Nanjing). Where is Chinese Gordon when we need him?

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Day
The Flaming Lips, "The W.A.N.D." via iTunes (T.L.A.M.)