To the casual observer and the experienced scholar alike, the complexity of the African continent defies imagination. Two of the complicated-and troubled-areas are Southern Africa and the Horn. These two regions with their extraordinary mix of ethnic groups, races, political loyalties, new states, varying colonial experiences, economic concerns and environmental problems challenge the most astute analyst of African affairs. Recently, I had an opportunity to return to Zimbabwe and Ethiopia for a brief visit after a three-year absence. I was intrigued with the possibiltiy of looking more closely at some of the pieces of the Southern Africa and Horn puzzles. I wondered what changes there would be in these two countries since I had last visited them in the summer of 1982.