News

Dec. 22, 2012
Eritrea: The Fog Over the Red Sea: Eritrea's strict media control

Eritrea: The Fog Over the Red Sea: Eritrea's strict media control

This article was written by Armin Rosen, the Atlantic‘s International Channel producer and was originally published here. Eritrean information minister Ali Abdu, who is rumored to have defected this past week, helped build one of the world’s strictest systems of media control. Eritrea sits on some of the most important real estate in Africa, occupying a thin... Read more »

Dec. 12, 2012
Rice: Hitting ‘reset’ on Africa talks

Rice: Hitting ‘reset’ on Africa talks

Michael O’Hanlon, in his Reuters Opinion piece, “In defense of Susan Rice” (Reuters, December 10, 2012), took issue with my New York Times op-ed article, “Susan Rice and Africa’s Despots” (December 9, 2012). Mine were not ad hominem attacks. It is fair to hold a public official accountable for her career and for the roles... Read more »

Dec. 10, 2012
“New Business Opportunities in Africa”: Event in Tampa promotes opportunities in Africa

“New Business Opportunities in Africa”: Event in Tampa promotes opportunities in Africa

The Tampa Port Authority will host an event presented by the U.S. Department of Commerce with the aim of promoting business relationship between the U.S. and Africa. Terence McCulley, U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, and Rebecca Armand, Senior Commercial Officer for the U.S. Mission to Nigeria, will speak. Taking the continent’s growth into account, the department pointed out... Read more »

Nov. 14, 2012
Building Bridges:  An Ambassador Reflects on U.S.-Africa Relations

Building Bridges: An Ambassador Reflects on U.S.-Africa Relations

In the last blog entry, I wrote that Ambassador Michael E. Ranneberger was visiting the University of South Florida as part of an event sponsored by the Center for Strategic and Diplomatic Studies. Amb. Ranneberger gave a lecture titled “U.S. Foreign Policy in Africa: Lessons, Challenges, and Opportunities” through the center’s “Lecture Series on National Security.”... Read more »

Nov. 6, 2012
U.S. Foreign Policy in Africa: A Lecture by Ambassador Ranneberger

U.S. Foreign Policy in Africa: A Lecture by Ambassador Ranneberger

Topic of Discussion: “U.S. Foreign Policy in Africa: Lessons, Challenges, and Opportunities” In June, the Obama administration released an extensive document outlining its U.S. strategy toward Sub-Saharan Africa. In it, President Obama points out that the continent is: However, many argue that U.S.-Africa relations have not been prioritized. Cynics say that the U.S. only took notice of... Read more »

Oct. 31, 2012
On Election Day the Eyes of the World Turn to America: What Does the U.S. Presidential Election Meanto an International Audience?  

On Election Day the Eyes of the World Turn to America: What Does the U.S. Presidential Election Meanto an International Audience?  

Foreign policy plays a significant role in U.S. presidential elections. Many argue that the foreign agenda is the only one that a sitting president can implement without having to go through the labyrinth of politics and the checks and balances of the democratic system. As a testament to this importance, the final presidential debate in... Read more »

August 7, 2012
Malawi’s Activists Turned Politicians: What Standards Should Joyce Banda’s Administration Be Held To?

Malawi’s Activists Turned Politicians: What Standards Should Joyce Banda’s Administration Be Held To?

In the wake of the death of Malawi’s former president, Bingu wa Mutharika due to cardiac arrest, the country’s political leadership has welcomed a new guard. Joyce Banda, an outspoken activist and leader of the People’s Party, became the president of the country making her the second female president in Africa. In the relatively short period of time until... Read more »