ABSTRACT
Lesotho's international relations are dominated by its history and its geography. Accordingly, relations with South Africa and with the United Kingdom (UK) are the most all-embracing and influential. Indeed, until independence, these were the only international relations the country had, except for some interactions with the other High Commission Territories. Since independence, Lesotho has had more interaction with other African states and at least some interaction with other Third World countries; greatly diversified relations with developed market economies to the extent that both the United States and West Germany have overtaken the UK as aid donors (if not in general influence); and, most recently, the beginnings of formal relations with the Eastern bloc following diplomatic recognition of the People's Republic of China, North Korea, the Soviet Union, Yugoslavia, and several other East European countries.
