David Lynn Price’s The Western Sahara examines the roots of the Western Sahara conflict during the late 1970s, focusing on Spain’s withdrawal, competing claims by Morocco, Mauritania, and the Polisario Front, and the role of external actors like Algeria. He highlights the importance of natural resources, especially phosphates, in fueling territorial ambitions and explores the legal and diplomatic dimensions through UN resolutions and the International Court of Justice. Price concludes that without a legitimate process for self-determination, such as a referendum, the conflict was likely to remain unresolved and destabilizing for the region.
