The article begins with Peter Hitchens's personal account of his trip to Mogadishu during the Somali Civil War. He describes the chaotic situation, the lack of law and order, and his reliance on armed teenagers for protection. This vivid depiction emphasizes the immediate dangers and the absence of basic necessities like electricity, water, and food.
Hitchens uses his Mogadishu experience to illustrate the precariousness of civilization, likening it to a thin crust over underlying chaos. He draws parallels with the post-invasion situation in Baghdad, highlighting the rapid descent into lawlessness and violence when order breaks down.
He argues that modern societies are astonishingly dependent on complex, interconnected infrastructure that is vulnerable to various threats like terrorism, cyberattacks, and sabotage. The author expresses concern over the decay of morality, neighborliness, and police presence, further weakening society's resilience.
The article concludes with a stark warning about the potential consequences of societal collapse and the need for greater vigilance in protecting civilization. Hitchens suggests that the current focus on foreign interventions might backfire, leaving societies vulnerable to internal chaos.