Why the US and Its Allies Should Follow Israel’s Lead and Recognize SomalilandTsiporah Fried Hudson Institute
- Tsiporah Fried
- Feb 14
- 1 min read
Original Author: Tsiporah Fried
Original Publication: Hudson Institute
Date: February 13, 2026
Curated Excerpt (Fair Use)
On December 26, 2025, Israel became the first country to formally recognize Somaliland as a sovereign state, a move that has sparked international condemnation but may reshape the geopolitical balance in the Red Sea and Horn of Africa.
Tsiporah Fried argues that Israel’s decision is historically grounded, legally defensible, and strategically coherent. She contends that Somaliland has functioned as a de facto independent state since 1991, meeting the practical criteria of statehood through stable governance, democratic elections, security institutions, and control over its territory.
The article further maintains that Western reluctance to recognize Somaliland reflects strategic inconsistency. Positioned along the Gulf of Aden near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, Somaliland occupies a critical maritime chokepoint. Recognition, the author argues, would strengthen Western influence in a region contested by Iran-backed actors, Turkey, and Qatar, while providing the United States and its allies with a stable, pro-Western partner in the Horn of Africa.
About the Publication
The Hudson Institute is a Washington-based policy research organization that focuses on national security, foreign policy, and strategic affairs. Its publications frequently examine geopolitical shifts, alliance structures, and regional security dynamics.
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