The Wall.

This is coolbert:

Again from the program "Sahara with Michael Palin" we have an item with a military dimension to it.

That conflict over the nation of Western Sahara as from three decades ago now. Fought between the forces of Morocco and the indigenous rebels of the Polisario Front.

That conflict now and for some time stalemated.  A wall of massive proportions thwarting guerrilla incursions, the Polisario now in quiescent phase of their insurrection.

That "wall" referred to as the Moroccan Wall and the most massive structure [?] of its type on the planet!

"The Moroccan Wall of Western Sahara is an approximately 2,700 km-long structure, mostly a sand wall (or 'berm'), running through Western Sahara and the southeastern portion of Morocco. It acts as a barrier between the Moroccan-controlled areas (Southern Provinces) and the Polisario-controlled section of the territory (Free Zone) that lies along its eastern and southern border."

"Physical structure"

"The fortifications [the Moroccan Wall] lie in uninhabited or very sparsely inhabited territory. They consist of sand and stone walls or berms about three meters in height, with bunkers, fences and landmines throughout. The barrier minebelt that runs along the structure is thought to be the longest continuous minefield in the world. Military bases, artillery posts and airfields dot the interior behind the wall at regular intervals, and radar masts and other electronic surveillance equipment scan the areas in front of it."

Western Sahara as controlled by the Moroccan on the west side of the wall. That area much smaller on the east side of the wall as within the control of the Polisario.

That "wall", more properly and correctly called a BERM also assiduously patrolled by up to 160,000 Moroccan troops. That wall the total cost for construction, maintenance and manning for a period of DECADES I must think to be exorbitant.

Also that wall as acknowledged successful! The guerrilla attacks of the Polisario now either at a minimum or non-existent at all!

Polisario generally very socialist and even pink at the edges as they say. Having backers and support from a long-ago to include Cuba. Even the presence of possible Cuban soldiers embedded with the guerrillas, UNCIRCUMCISED DEAD FOUND AMONG THE POLISARIO CASUALTIES ON THE BATTLEFIELD AS DETERMINED BY POST-MORTEN AUTOPSIES!

That Cuban presence to a degree undiminished? According to Michael Palin, Spanish speaking Cuban teachers continue to run schools for the refugee children of the conflict.

AND WITH NO END IN SIGHT, AFTER THIRTY YEARS, POLISARIO IS NOT ABLE TO ARRIVE AT A NEGOTIATED OR AN AMELIORATED SETTLEMENT BUT CONTINUES TO FIGHT EVEN WHEN THE SITUATION SEEMS HOPELESS?

Hard to throw in the towel after so much time and effort but what is the alternative?

coolbert.