Changes and Continuities in Ethio Us Security Relationships
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2011-04
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Ababa University
Abstract
International relations as a discipline that studies the interactions between and among states
have gripped the attention of many scholars. These scholars have derived different theories and
principles that are presumed to result in smoother and cooperative relations between and
among states. Despite the development of diverse theories and principles of international
relations, contacts between and among states have not been as contemplated by those good
wishing scholars. In this regard, the coherent nature of international relations- cooperation and
conflict-have persistently continued. Plus, these features of international relations are still
governing the trends of relations between states.
Ethio-US relation is not an exception in this regard. The century old relations between Ethiopia
and the United States have so far been traversing through these controversial features- conflict
and cooperation. The cooperative features of the Ethio-US relations have contributed to the
buildup and the continuity of the cordial relations. On the other hand, the conflicting
characteristic of the relations between the two countries have brought in changes in the
manner of the relations from a friendly type to an unfriendly mode, or have contributed to the shaping of unpleasant and hostile relations.
This essay endeavors to identify the factors that have contributed to the continuity of the
friendly relations between the United States and Ethiopia. On the other hand, the factors that
have resulted in changes in the gracious relations between the two countries have also been
scrutinized.
The methodology applied to gather the data is a qualitative one. This method is put in use
because; the data used in conducting the research is totally related to words observations, and
the approach has been analyzing and interpreting the data. By examining, analyzing and
interpreting the data the thesis has identified the factors of Ethio-US security relations.
Accordingly, the Kagnew Communication Base, the secessionist group in Eritrea, the Republic of Somalia before and after its disintegration, the Cold War phenomena, the end of the Cold War and the disintegration of the Soviet Union, the geo-political position of Ethiopia, and the international political system have been identified as the major ones. These factors of relations have played different roles in shaping the relations to continue either in a friendly fashion or to change the mode of the relations
Description
Keywords
International Relation