Rebels vs. The Government vs. The People

The worst situations are when the general public, just trying to eke out a living are harassed by the government on one side and multiple rebel groups on the other. Some places in West Africa have six or seven factions fighting against a loose government structure and thousands of poor farmers, nomads and tribes caught in the middle. The world's bigger powers often make the situation worse when the interfere to try and get a government in position that will work with them. The Cold War wasn't really cold in the Third World: The USSR and USA were backing so many different revolutions a scorecard was needed to keep track of it all. Now there is less, if any, interest in these problems, which is just as bad considering no one even cares enough about these areas now to try to help the innocents caught in the crossfire. Someday, maybe, we'll all have a stake in protecting the safety and freedom of others around the world, but for now, you are right, there is nothing we can do. Just never lose that feeling that it's not right! -The World Stability Rat