Healthy international relations promote effective cooperation and are essential to the establishment of beneficial relationships. The United States (US) and the Republic of Djibouti maintain bilateral diplomatic relations; both take a very proactive stance against terrorism and are committed to ensuring security and stability in the Horn of Africa (HOA). Djibouti has allowed the U.S. military and other countries access to its port and airport facilities. In return, the United States provides counterterrorism assistance, humanitarian support, and security to Djibouti. Many are familiar with the military aspect of this relationship, while the rest of the audience is often overlooked. This is largely because the United States is more focused on the military than on stability and aid. Camp Lemonnier, the U.S. base located at Djibouti International Airport that serves as the base for U.S. counterterrorism efforts in the HOA and the Arabian Peninsula, is attracting attention and controversy (W hitlock, 2012). Other countries have taken advantage of U.S.-provided security in the region to gain economic control, political influence, and military power. Djibouti is an asset and a strategic partner; therefore, the United States must focus more on humanitarian assistance to positively improve local and international perspectives within its borders and within the HOA to build a stronger relational foundation. Djibouti was not the center of interest nor considered of strategic value to the United States. The United States in the 20th century. The United States was engaged with other countries in the HOA and focused more on influencing and supporting Ethiopia, Somalia, and Sudan. However, the United States had poor relations with these countries due to unstable government leadership in the late 1980s. At the end of the Cold War...... middle of paper ..... .e-of-secret-operations/2012/10/25/a26a9392-197a-11e2-bd10-5ff056538b7c_print.html Richards, C. (2014). Could China and Japan work together in East Africa? The Diplomat. Retrieved May 24, 2014, from http://thediplomat.com/2014/03/could-china-and-japan-work-together-in-east-africa/ Hallinan, C. (2012). American Foreign Policy and Africa: The Next Four Years. Summary of international politics. Retrieved May 23, 2014 from http://www.internationalpolicydigest.org/2012/11/22/us-foreign-policy-and-africa-thenext-four-years/ Shinn, D. (2011). US policy towards the Horn of Africa International Policy Digest. Accessed May 23, 2014, from http://www.internationalpolicydigest.org/2011/10/13/us-policytowards-the-horn-of-africa/World Factbook. (nd). Central Intelligence Agency. Accessed May 23, 2014, from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/dj.html