Book excerpt: "Frequently misunderstood, and too often underestimated, Eritrea is crucial to the stability of the Horn of Africa region and beyond. Despite early optimism after the country gained its independence in 1993, today it has an undemocratic power structure, a low level of socioeconomic development and a highly militarized political system. It has fought wars with each of its neighbours, including a particularly devastating conflict with Ethiopia which remains unresolved. As Eritrea faces the threat of sanctions, and the possibility of being listed by the United States as a state sponsor of terror, its future hangs in the balance - and with it the future of a troubled region that occupies an increasingly strategic position in world affairs. What happens next may depend upon informed and sensitive decision-making by international policy-makers, who until now have had limited sources of reliable information and analysis on this vital region. This volume brings together the insights of international analysts and scholars in an effort to understand the nature of Eritrea's foreign relations, both regionally and in the wider international arena." --Book Jacket.