When the government of Hailemariam was overthrown and replaced by that of Meles Zenawi in 1991, Eritreans ensured Ethiopia would finally foreswear hegemonic ambitions towards Eritrea, and that Eritreans would finally be able to focus on rebuilding political, social and economic institutions. The war (1998-2000) shattered this illusion, derailing such hopes. By carefully documenting the war, the author unravels the complexity of the dispute and places it in the context of both a regional and international political dynamic.