Eurafrica or Africasia?

The difficulties of France in North Africa are, as I tried to show in a recent article,1 only one aspect of the contemporary war for all Africa. Once more the West has lost a round; but fortunately the struggle—which is more than a cold war—is only in its initial phase.

Before World War Two, Africa was of little strategic interest to Europe, apart from a few naval bases. It was too remote for bases for the planes of that time, and was easily dominated politically. In ten years the situation has radically changed. The United States has hastened to build air bases in North Africa and elsewhere (not to mention broadcasting stations de signed to reach the Balkans and the Middle East), and certain European nations—notably the English, Belgians and French—have created strategic reserve bases. Now the USSR is trying to get a military foothold in Liberia— an attempt which, itistobe hoped, will be frustrated.

JD

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J. Dervin

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The difficulties of France in North Africa are, as I tried to show in a recent article,1 only one aspect of the contemporary war for all Africa. Once more the West has lost a round; but fortunately the struggle—which is more than a cold war—is only in its initial phase.

Before World War Two, Africa was of little strategic interest to Europe, apart from a few naval bases. It was too remote for bases for the planes of that time, and was easily dominated politically. In ten years the situation has radically changed. The United States has hastened to build air bases in North Africa and elsewhere (not to mention broadcasting stations de signed to reach the Balkans and the Middle East), and certain European nations—notably the English, Belgians and French—have created strategic reserve bases. Now the USSR is trying to get a military foothold in Liberia— an attempt which, itistobe hoped, will be frustrated.