Nine months ago, Israel became the first government in the world to recognize the breakaway republic of Somaliland as a sovereign state. It was a historic event, prompting speculation that President Donald Trump might follow suit by announcing U.S. recognition of Somaliland as well, especially given that high-profile figures in Washington, such as Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), have long been on record supporting such a change in policy.

No such recognition ever came from the Trump administration. Instead, momentum toward Somaliland’s inclusion in the international community has stalled over the past year. Refusing to accept defeat, Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi (better known by the sobriquet “Irro”), traveled to Washington this month to reinvigorate the case for Somaliland’s sovereign statehood. His itinerary included events at leading think tanks such as the Hudson Institute and Council on Foreign Relations — a sign, perhaps, that expert audiences in the United States take the idea of recognition seriously.