GEOSTRATEGY AND NAVAL POWER IN THE MEDITERRANEAN - CHANGING SCENARIOS, CONTINUING CONFLICT

The Mediterranean's history as a sea of conflicts and tensions is expl ored, The role of sea power, particularly in the era of superpower riv alry, is considered, Geostrategic reorientation following the end of t he Cold War is examined, and it is concluded that the dominant axis of tension is now North-South rather than East-West, Factors contributin g to this reorientation, and thus to the continuing importance of nava l power, are discussed, With respect to future scenarios it is suggest ed that the EU has an important role to play in the promotion of peace ful co-existence between Europe and southern Mediterranean states, as well as between the West and Islam. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.