March 15: Haiti collapses

In which, Haiti becomes the world’s newest failed state, the US wades into Israeli politics, the 2024 general election is underway, and is time running out for TikTok?

Haiti collapses

Haiti has been in a state of terminal decline for several years with waves of violence repeatedly washing over the impoverished Caribbean country now turned gangland.

This week, the last vestiges of any kind of recognized government were swept away as the current Prime Minister, stranded in Puerto Rico, resigned, and warring gangs tightened their grip in Port-au-Prince.

Haiti is officially a failed state and no one seems to know what to do about it. The international police intervention effort led by Kenya appears to have permanently been shut down, and the US has withdrawn the bulk of its diplomatic personnel, leaving behind a contingent of Marines to guard the now shuttered embassy.

The situation in Haiti has been a slow burning catastrophe that promises to create ongoing ripple effects throughout the region in the form of refugees and crime. 

Only this week, Haiti appeared to have (briefly) gotten the attention of Secretary of State Blinken, but the US is too distracted by crises farther afield to tend to a failed state in its own backyard. While Haiti burns and starves, the US is hyper focused on getting aid into Gaza and Ukraine. I know, I know. We can’t be everywhere all at once. However, 11 million people suffering in your immediate neighborhood probably should get at least equal attention and resources as 2 million suffering half a world away. The Biden administration is once again getting its stated priorities out of whack.