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Simeon Mitropolitski is a Canadian analyst, of Bulgarian origin, and a former syndicated columnist with the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA). He is the author of several hundred articles dealing with hot political and economic topics, both national and international.

He was part of the first group of Bulgarian intellectuals and students that began the opposition movement that finally put an end to the communist regime in this country in 1989, and in 1996-1997 participated in international observation teams during the elections in several Balkan countries - Romania, Albania and Bulgaria.

In 2002 Simeon and his family moved from Bulgaria to Canada where they live now in Montreal, province of Quebec. Simeon is a Master of Political Science from McGill University and a B.A. of Political Science and History.

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Conceived by the Europeans as the strategic base at the mouth of the Red Sea, the place now called Djibouti has played an important role in the international relations since late 19th century. French government, keen to increase its international domain and to gets additional strength against its rivals Germany and Britain, has established its military presence more than a century ago. With the new wave of international terrorism coming from the Middle East, a gradual change of military presence is taking place in Djibouti, which means that the American military personnel may soon replace the traditional French presence.

The international importance of Djibouti didn't so far convert into tangible financial inflows for the country. Its living standard may look higher only compared to those of some other neighboring countries like Somalia, Eritrea and Ethiopia, but in general the population is very poor, and the constant influx of political refugees and economic migrants makes the situation even worse. For most of the 1990's the country was place of an ethnic conflict, which now seemingly has found some political solution. On the other hand, the arid soil and the hostile desert climate don't allow any form of sustainable agriculture to handle with the growing population and the new arrivers. As a result most of the food still has to be imported. The substantial foreign military presence, especially the traditional French bases, have been credited to have increased the political stability in the country, helping it not to slide into political and social chaos that was observed in some neighboring countries during the last decade.

The recent wave of international terrorism, originating from the Middle East, has given a new meaning to Djibouti as a strategic location near the world's busiest shipping lanes and the Arabian oil fields. Being part of the direct crossing point between Middle East and East Africa with its radicalizing Muslim population, Djibouti may serve well as a transit point for killers and weapons in both directions. That partly explains the recent American military presence. Another reason for Washington is to have an alternative in case the remaining military presence in Saudi Arabia has to be relocated.

The French look at this increased American military presence with both understanding and jealousy. They would have preferred to remain the main foreign power in Djibouti with the ability to "lease" temporary their former facilities to the Americans in the war against the terrorism. On the other hand, they dislike the fact that this American presence has begun shifting the political orientation of the country that until recently has been closely following Paris. The example of such shift has been revealed during the Gulf War II in 2003, when France and the United States took different stands. For now it's not sure which of the foreign powers will remain in control of this strategic place. For now Djibouti may benefit from this foreign rivalry in order to push ahead its modernization.

Djibouti country profile:

• Area: 23,000 sq km
• Population: 457,130 (July 2003 est.)
• Life expectancy at birth: 43.13 years
• Ethnic groups: Somali 60%, Afar 35%, French, Arab, Ethiopian, and Italian 5%
• Languages: French, Arabic (both official)
• Unemployment: 50% (2000 est.)
• GDP per capita: purchasing power parity $1,300 (2002 est.)
• Population below poverty line: 50% (2001 est.)
• Main trading partners: France, US, China, Arab and African countries.
• Internet users: 3,300 (2002)

(Source: CIA - The World Factbook 2003)

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See also the directory of companies providing real estate services in, and general real estate information of Djibouti.