So far, we are playing into Shabaab hands; psychologically. We are supposed to be very angry, and fearful; over what neither angers nor frightens them.
Look at what the media is offering. The best we can do is have a blackout. Closing our eyes.
That's why they seem to be playing long. We are being engaged in sophisticated psychological warfare here. The only way out is to have an equally sophisticated counter psychology with a robust media presence even in Somalia, even amongst the Al Shabaab, and all religions of the world.
I'm not talking about about just changing the Al Shabaab psychology, but us changing our psychology and value systems.
For example, consider the view offered in one of the links we've been offered here, where the writer is advising against a backlash on Somalis; how else can we play?
If it's about improving our intelligence without harassing Somalis then we'll be speaking of status quo levels. That's 'doing nothing' in effect. Hence offering ourselves for further attacks, leading to more frustration and anger, more Al Shabaab.
Escalating our commitment to violence can't be a solution either. We need a strategy that will pull the KDF from Somalia while leaving it peaceful and stable, and counter religious support for violence. We also need to engage youth more constructively, we should reduce the number of youth killed in the war against crime. Giving the youth capital without offering an alternative worldview will lead to more poverty among them.
The Al Shabaab is about youth; and so far, youth in Africa are in a desperate position, and any idea can set them on fire. So why not take advantage of the situation and offer water instead?