Few areas of the world have been as steadily assailed with tragedy - natural and man-made - as the Horn of Africa.
In the past decade, wars, revolutions, drought, famine, and relocation of whole populations have decimated the Horn. Refuge camps in malaria-infested swamps have further weakened the resettled peoples, and the social policies of militaristic governments have had a markedly detrimental effect on the area.
The Horn assumes great importance when viewed in terms of its strategic position. The Straits of Aden, the Red Sea, and the routes connecting the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean are bordered by the countries of the Horn. Thus, both the Western nations and those of the Eastern bloc have an overt interest in keeping those vital transportation routes open to their ships.
In the quest for right of access, the superpowers have become involved in the internal workings of the nations of the Horn. In the quest for minimum standards of human existence, aid organizations have focused world attention on the widespread famine and poverty.
In this special report, THE WORLD & I asked experts on the region to discuss the political, economic, cultural, and natural influences on events in the Horn of Africa. If all the contributing factors can be understood, perhaps an organic solution will present
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