The Significance of the Battle for Cuito Cuanavale: Long-Term Foresight of the Current Strategic Landscape

Abstract

This article deals with the long-term outcomes of the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale in<br />Angola (1987–1988) and the effect of the outcomes on the current strategic landscape in<br />Southern Africa. The crux of the article is to learn about the value of long-term<br />foresight for strategising in an international context. After a short discussion of the<br />research methodology, the desired long-term outcomes, as perceived by the major roleplayers<br />before the battle, will be described and explained. For the purpose of<br />elucidation, a description is included of the events preceding the battle and the course of<br />the battle itself. Finally, the long-term outcomes within the context of the current<br />strategic landscape in Southern Africa will be described and explained. The article<br />concludes with recommendations on the value of long-term strategic foresight and the<br />importance to maintain strategic instruments, including military force, to ensure that the<br />foreseen outcomes become reality

The Standard of Research on the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale, 1987–1988

“…72 Velthuizen has since followed this up with an academic article in which he backtracks to a certain extent and moves a certain distance towards the opposite camp. 73 Finally, we have to consider the work by Professor Christopher Saunders, historian at UCT. Saunders has done extensive research in the archives of the Department of Foreign Affairs and was responsible for the publication of a selection of the most important documents on the internet.…”