The Other Side of Eritrea

Adulis: Literature Review and Theoretical Background Chapter 2: is from a doctoral dissertation analyzing the political economy of the ancient Red Sea port city of Adulis in the Northern Horn of Africa between 1000 BCE and 700 ACE. The research directly challenges the conventional interpretation that Adulis functioned simply as a periphery or trading post for the Aksumite empire, arguing instead t...

Adulis: Modeling a Classical African Political Economy Chapter 1 Adulis: Modeling a Classical African Political Economy is from a 2019 doctoral dissertation by Daniel T. Habtemichael focused on modeling the local political economy of the ancient port city of Adulis in the Northern Horn of Africa between 1000 BCE and 700 ACE. The core research objective is to challenge the traditional view that Adu...

Adulis: A Center of Ancient African Political Economy Coming soon: a multi-episode journey into one of Africa’s most influential but least understood ancient cities. Adulis , long dismissed as a minor Red Sea port, is revealed through new archaeological research to have been a thriving political and economic powerhouse. Across this series, we unpack the groundbreaking findings of Dr Daniel T. Habt...

Eritrea, Gura Company Town: The Social History of a Wartime Planning Experiment, "focusing on the social history and planning of a company town named Gura in Eritrea, East Africa, during World War II. It examines the social dynamics, culture, and various forms of security and insecurity experienced by the American, Italian, and native employees of the Farwest Aircraft Company at this remote locati...

The pivotal role of Eritrea in the Middle East War Projects carried out by Johnson, Drake & Piper, Inc. for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during 1942–1943. Eritrea emerges as a crucial hub of Allied wartime construction, where extensive rehabilitation and expansion of former Italian military installations formed the core of the effort. While additional work took place in Egypt and Arabia, t...

An extensive historical and tactical analysis of the Indian Army's role during World War II in the Western theatre, particularly in Eritrea, East Africa, North Africa, and Italy. The primary focus is on how the colonial force adapted its pre-war "Small War" mountain techniques to engage in large-scale conventional warfare, battling both Italian and German forces. The analysis details...

Although Heinz Werner Schmidt’s With Rommel in the Desert focuses exclusively on the North African theatre, the roots of Rommel’s eventual defeat stretch back to the lesser-known campaign fought far to the east in Eritrea. The Battle of Keren (February to March 1941), a brutal engagement between Italian colonial forces and British Commonwealth troops, proved to be one of the decisive turning point...

Historical overview of Italian military activities in Eritrea during World War II, focusing primarily on the period from 1940 to 1941, when the region was isolated after Italy entered the war. One major focus is the Italian Red Sea Fleet's operations from June 1940 to April 1941, detailing naval units, engagements, and the ultimate destruction or retreat of the fleet due to overwhelming Britis...

Battle of Keren, a pivotal conflict within the East African Campaign of World War II. One source provides an in-depth historical summary of the battle, including the timeline from February 5 to April 1, 1941, the commanders, units involved, and significant casualties, ultimately concluding with a decisive Allied victory that secured routes to Asmara and Massawa. The second source is a detailed sce...

P roject 19 , a secret World War II mission initiated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to aid Great Britain in its fight against the German Afrika Corps in North Africa. This project involved recruiting approximately 2,000 American civilian volunteers , often aircraft manufacturing personnel, to travel to a remote, bombed-out base in Gura, Eritrea, to repair and assemble damaged and newly delive...

Before the satellite age, one U.S. military base in East Africa quietly shaped decades of American foreign policy, Kagnew Station in Asmara, Eritrea. The United States’ strategic dependence on Kagnew Station a massive communications and intelligence hu, led Washington to back Ethiopia’s control of Eritrea for nearly three decades. To protect the base, U.S. policymakers ignored rising local resentm...

Eritrea, Kagnew Station , a crucial U.S. military intelligence and communications base operational in Eritrea (then Ethiopia) during the Cold War. The first source offers a personal narrative from a reunion of former Kagnew service members, reflecting on the base's history as a major Army Security Agency (ASA) deep space listening post and exploring the enduring geopolitical impact of the U.S....

Eritrea has consistently functioned as a critical strategic pivot point in modern world history despite its small size. The source details how Eritrea’s unique geography and infrastructure made it instrumental during World War II , citing the crucial Allied victory at the Battle of Keren and the massive logistical hub known as Project 19 at Gura which supported the North African campaign. Furtherm...

Eritrean delegation's participation at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, highlighting their diplomatic activities and policy positions. Specifically, the texts document Foreign Minister Osman Saleh's bilateral meetings with numerous foreign officials, including those from the US, EU, Sudan, and Sweden, focusing on security, economic development, and regional stabilit...

We set the record straight on Eritrea’s sovereignty and the myths surrounding Ethiopia’s “loss” of a coastline. Respecting sovereignty is not a courtesy—it’s international law. Eritrea didn’t create an injustice; it corrected one through sacrifice and struggle, reaffirmed by a UN-monitored referendum. So why do some still frame this as an “injustice” or a “problem to fix”? We break down the histor...

A critique of the Ethiopian government’s rhetoric regarding its demand for sovereign access to the sea, often using the metaphor of being “encapsulated” or a “geographic prisoner.” They argue that this narrative is disingenuous, historically inaccurate, and politically motivated to distract from severe domestic issues like economic crisis and internal conflict. The texts stress that Ethiopia alrea...

Ethiopia’s “Potemkin Party” push for sea access is theatre, not strategy. Real growth comes from logistics & treaties, not fantasies of ports. Time for the AU to move meetings, optics, even HQ. Let Addis keep the stage; the AU must keep its soul

Ethiopia's Potemkin Party or PP's expansionist ambitions regarding access to the Red Sea These claims are a direct threat to Eritrea's sovereignty. Ethiopia's PP rhetoric, are "delusional" and based on historical fallacies, population statistics, and a sense of entitlement rather than international law . Eritrea's independence and borders are firmly established throug...

This historical account examines Eritrea's struggle for independence , highlighting the catalytic event of September 1, 1961 , when armed resistance began. It details how the United Nations, influenced by Cold War geopolitics , prioritized U.S. strategic interests over Eritrean self-determination, leading to a forced federation with Ethiopia . The text then illustrates Ethiopia's systemati...

Eritrea's unique vision for sustainable development , arguing that it is often misunderstood when viewed solely through international frameworks like the SDGs. It emphasizes that Eritrea's approach, rooted in its history and liberation struggle , predates many global goals and is built on principles of social justice, equality, environmental stewardship, and self-reliance . The article hig...

A multifaceted view of Eritrea's current endeavors, highlighting diplomatic engagement , national development initiatives , and public welfare improvements . The first document details Eritrea's participation in TICAD9, where Ambassador Afeworki emphasized regional peace, security, and economic collaboration over conflict, particularly focusing on energy and mineral resource diplomacy. The...

Highlights of two Eritrean artists who are making significant contributions to the global art and music scenes. Sonny Alem , an R&B and pop musician, discusses his journey of blending traditional Eritrean sounds with modern genres, culminating in his inclusion in "The World Album," a project featuring artists from every country. Similarly, Marta Woldu , a visual artist, shares her pa...

A multifaceted look at Eritrea, highlighting its commitment to social welfare and human rights , particularly for persons with disabilities , as evidenced by its long-standing efforts and recent ratification of the CRPD. They showcase government initiatives like financial aid for martyrs' families and community-based programs. Furthermore, the sources emphasize Eritrea's rich cultural heritage and...

Eritrea Showcases Commitment to Development, International Cooperation, and National UnityEritrea has reaffirmed its dedication to national development and global engagement through a series of recent highlights that showcase the country’s strategic vision, achievements, and unity. In a statement at the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, Eritrea emphasized its unique role as a...

Ambassador Sophia Tesfamariam dismantles with facts Ambassador Dina Mufti's article "Transcending the Ethio-Eritrean Conundrum," arguing that it misrepresents history and undermines Eritrea's sovereignty under the guise of regional integration. The author, Ambassador Sophia Tesfamariam, challenges Mufti's historical revisionism regarding Eritrea's independence and the 199...