After a fifteen year colonial struggle, Angolan nationalists are on the verge of realizing or destroying an independent Angolan state. With the collapse and exit of the old colonial regime, three rival liberation movements have been left to compete for political ascendancy. It may be useful therefore to focus briefly on (1) the genesis and character of this political tripolarity, on (2) the tendency for it to encourage extensive external intervention and on (3) some thoughts concerning what, under the circumstances, might constitute an appropriate American response.