> A big theme (of Dune) was around the scramble for Africa An extractive industry moves into in the desert for an extremely valuable substance that is vital fo

> A big theme (of Dune) was around the scramble for Africa An extractive industry moves into in the desert for an extremely valuable substance that is vital for transport, while the indigenous inhabitants are overlooked. Religious fervour and holy war. I think that the Middle-east and oil are the most obvious parallels. It is indeed "commenting on the contemporary problems of its day".