This isn’t really a good use of resources. This could have been avoided in a number of ways. Most notably, with previous PM Meles Zenawi not giving away Assad and also not starting a Cold War with Eritrea discontinuing Ethiopia’s use of Assab. With such a large population, and no access to a sea port, I can see how they may make an argument of a port being in their national interest but at what cost? Has human life been so cheapened that the deaths of our neighbors is warranted? There has to be a diplomatic solution.