From Aid to Alliance: Shifting U.S. Policy Toward Investment and Partnership in the Horn of Africa and Somaliland The Horn of Africa is undergoing a dramatic transformation in international diplomacy and strategic engagement. For decades, U.S. policy toward this region—long dominated by traditional aid and counterterrorism programs—reflected the complexities of post‑Cold War geopolitical priorities . Recent developments, however, show Washington pivoting toward investment, economic partnership, and strategic alliances with reliable partners such as the Republic of Somaliland. This shift reflects both broader geopolitical competition and a recalibration of U.S. interests in an increasingly fragile and competitive global environment. Somaliland: Stability and Strategic Value Amid this evolving landscape, Somaliland—a self‑declared republic in northern Somalia—has emerged as an unexpected but increasingly attractive partner. Since declaring independence in 1991, Somaliland has ...