Innovative study of the relations of the peoples of West Africa in the precolonial period.

This new edition of the well-known innovative study of the relations of the peoples of West Africa in the precolonial period covers a period of some four or five hundred years, up to the last decades of the nineteenth century. Smith takes account of outside influences but focuses primarily on what happened between African states before the partition of the area and the establishment of colonies.

Originally published in 1976, this book combines detailed technical studies of the diplomacy of the land and waterborne warfare of pre-colonial West Africa. It draws attention to the connexion between these topics as dual aspects of international relations and refers to those parts of West African indigenous diplomacy, showing how these resembled and diverged from practice elsewhere. The causes and consequences of West African wars are analysed and the wide range of weaponry, armour and transport used by armies is also discussed. Strategy and tactics of the wars in relation to defensive operations are also examined. Throughout the book a considerable body of evidence from many sources is deployed to justify both the factual content and the conclusions which are drawn.

Nigeria, despite being the African country of greatest strategic importance to the U.S., remains poorly understood. John Campbell explains why Nigeria is so important to understand in a world of jihadi extremism, corruption, oil conflict, and communal violence. The revised edition provides updates through the recent presidential election.

A history of pre-colonial warfare in eastern Africa. Contents include: 'Tools & Tactics', 'Organisation & Fuction', 'Violence & Society' and 'The Culture of Conflict'.

The political economy problems of Nigeria, the root cause for ethnic, religious, political and economic strife, can be in part addressed indirectly through focused contributions by the U.S. military, especially if regionally aligned units are more thoroughly employed.

Africa is a continent of 54 countries and over a billion people. However, despite the rich diversity of the African experience, it is striking that continuations and themes seem to be reflected across the continent, particularly south of the Sahara. Questions of underdevelopment, outside exploitation, and misrule are characteristic of many - if not most-states in Sub-Saharan Africa. In this Very Short Introduction Ian Taylor explores how politics is practiced on the African continent, considering the nature of the state in Sub-Saharan Africa and why its state structures are generally weaker than elsewhere in the world. Exploring the historical and contemporary factors which account for Africa's underdevelopment, he also analyses why some African countries suffer from high levels of political violence while others are spared. Unveilling the ways in which African state and society actually function beyond the formal institutional façade, Taylor discusses how external factors - both inherited and contemporary - act upon the continent. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

The SAGE Handbook of Diplomacy provides a major thematic overview of Diplomacy and its study that is theoretically and historically informed and in sync with the current and future needs of diplomatic practice . Original contributions from a brilliant team of global experts are organised into four thematic sections: Section One: Diplomatic Concepts & Theories Section Two: Diplomatic Institutions Section Three: Diplomatic Relations Section Four: Types of Diplomatic Engagement

A global history of 'Biafra', providing a new explanation for the ascendance of humanitarianism in a postcolonial world.