For this fascinating examination of more than a century of diplomatic relations between Ethiopia and the United States, Prof. Metaferia consulted archival and declassified documents, interviewed government officials, translated Amharic sources and, above all, employed his political science expertise in interpreting and analyzing events.
The book begins with historical references that describe how Ethiopia was viewed by ancient civilizations, then moves to an analysis of Ethiopia s relationship with European powers in the late 19th century which shaped the psyche of its leaders. Ethiopia s encirclement by potentially hostile colonial powers compelled its leaders to ally with the United States which appeared to have no colonial motives. And the US, despite its isolationist postures, saw commercial and strategic military potential in establishing links with Ethiopia.
Ethio US relations gradually flourished, and the two countries collaborated on regional security in the Horn of Africa as well as through trade. Ethiopia supported the US during the Korean War and provided a communications base in Asmara. Given Ethiopia s location between Sudan, Somalia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Kenya and Uganda, and its long history, it continues to offer the US crucial strategic opportunities.
Yet somehow, despite longtime US contributions to Ethiopia s development, institutional, and human capacity building, Ethiopia has lagged behind in all indices of development. The book compels its readers to ponder why some countries remain marginalized and how development efforts could have maximum results.
Dr. Metaferia affirms that even friendly relations between nations can potentially fracture as long as donor countries ignore the welfare of aid recipient nations, and he calls for a new paradigm for the establishment of a stable foreign relationship in the rapidly changing power alliances of the 21st century.
Academics and the general public interested in the dynamics of relations between nations will benefit from this timely and seminal work. Although the focus of the book is on the Ethio US relations, the study and analysis has a wider ramification as it reflects the experiences of various other countries. Students of history, political science, and especially US foreign policy and African studies, development strategists, foreign policy practitioners and the general public will find the book useful as they seek to understand the current turmoil in Ethiopia and a range of other nations, as Ethiopia's experience with the United States mirrors in a microcosm the experience of many others. The book fills a gap in the libraries of graduate and undergraduate departments of African Studies, US International Relations/Foreign Policy, and Diplomatic History.
The book begins with historical references that describe how Ethiopia was viewed by ancient civilizations, then moves to an analysis of Ethiopia s relationship with European powers in the late 19th century which shaped the psyche of its leaders. Ethiopia s encirclement by potentially hostile colonial powers compelled its leaders to ally with the United States which appeared to have no colonial motives. And the US, despite its isolationist postures, saw commercial and strategic military potential in establishing links with Ethiopia.
Ethio US relations gradually flourished, and the two countries collaborated on regional security in the Horn of Africa as well as through trade. Ethiopia supported the US during the Korean War and provided a communications base in Asmara. Given Ethiopia s location between Sudan, Somalia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Kenya and Uganda, and its long history, it continues to offer the US crucial strategic opportunities.
Yet somehow, despite longtime US contributions to Ethiopia s development, institutional, and human capacity building, Ethiopia has lagged behind in all indices of development. The book compels its readers to ponder why some countries remain marginalized and how development efforts could have maximum results.
Dr. Metaferia affirms that even friendly relations between nations can potentially fracture as long as donor countries ignore the welfare of aid recipient nations, and he calls for a new paradigm for the establishment of a stable foreign relationship in the rapidly changing power alliances of the 21st century.
Academics and the general public interested in the dynamics of relations between nations will benefit from this timely and seminal work. Although the focus of the book is on the Ethio US relations, the study and analysis has a wider ramification as it reflects the experiences of various other countries. Students of history, political science, and especially US foreign policy and African studies, development strategists, foreign policy practitioners and the general public will find the book useful as they seek to understand the current turmoil in Ethiopia and a range of other nations, as Ethiopia's experience with the United States mirrors in a microcosm the experience of many others. The book fills a gap in the libraries of graduate and undergraduate departments of African Studies, US International Relations/Foreign Policy, and Diplomatic History.
