“Provoked by the pressure of TV images and harsh criticism from Democrats over human rights violations around the world, in December 1992 the (lame-duck) [George H.W.] Bush administration authorized an armed international expedition of some 35,000 troops to Somalia as the United Task Force to ensure that relief reached its destination. To avoid getting mired in a civil war indefinitely, the Bush administration had pressed in its December planning for rapid transfer of responsibility to the U.N. by the following May. The Bush administration stated clearly that the United States was proposing not to fix what was broken in Somalia, but only to deal with the visible consequences of the breakdown that was stalking Western consciences.” [The 15th of the month used for date sorting purposes only.]
– Stefan Halper and Jonathan Clarke, America Alone, Pages 85-86