Africa Center Commentary & Analysis

Through high-level relationships and a track record of well-respected analysis, the Africa Center speaks directly to the stakeholders who matter, shaping policy on the foremost issues of this dynamic continent.

New Atlanticist

Jan 28, 2013

Managing Mali

By J. Peter Pham

Strategically ill-conceived as it might been in a moment of panic and almost stillborn as a result of its bumpy start (thanks to diminished European military logistics capabilities), the French military intervention in Mali has nevertheless altered the dynamics in the fight against al-Qaeda’s regional affiliate. As the United States broadens the hitherto limited assistance […]

Sahel

New Atlanticist

Jan 16, 2013

Mali and Afghanistan: Uncanny Parallels

By Peter Pham

Analogies in international affairs are fraught with peril, but there is no denying the parallels between the situation in Afghanistan in the months and years leading up to 9/11 and recent developments in Mali.

Afghanistan Sahel

New Atlanticist

Jan 14, 2013

Mali: No way to go to a war going nowhere

By J. Peter Pham

French aircraft strafed Islamist rebels in Mali for the third day in a row on Sunday. Additional French troops arrived in the West African country’s capital to shore up its rickety transitional government in the face of an offensive by the militants who seized control of northern provinces last spring and have been imposing their […]

Conflict France

New Atlanticist

Dec 21, 2012

The Decisive African Youth Vote

By Adrienne Chuck

The Arab Spring underscored the pivotal role that youth can play in a country’s economic and political stability. This is even truer in Sub-Saharan Africa, where 70 percent of the population is under the age of 30.

Economy & Business Elections

New Atlanticist

Dec 18, 2012

Law of the Sea Tribunal Ruling Muddies the Waters Not Just for Ghana

By Peter Pham

Two months ago, Ghana  struck a blow for both the rule of law and fiscal probity when it detained the storied flagship of the Argentine navy as part of court-ordered relief for the Latin American country’s jilted creditors. Over the weekend a somnolent United Nations tribunal has waded into the controversy with a decision that not […]

Maritime Security Security & Defense

Event Recap

Dec 17, 2012

Ansari Africa Center Hosts Visit by Taiwanese Delegation

The Michael S. Ansari Africa Center hosted a visit today by a delegation of government officials from the Republic of China on Taiwan, who are in Washington to meet with their US counterparts for discussion on piracy off the coast of Somalia and its impact on Taiwanese commercial shipping and fishing interests in the Indian […]

Event Recap

Dec 11, 2012

Roundtable discussion with the UK prime minister’s special envoy to the Sahel

By Africa Center

The Michael S. Ansari Africa Center hosted a roundtable discussion with the Right Honourable Stephen O’Brien, MP, the UK prime minister’s special envoy to the Sahel. Since his appointment in September 2012, Mr. O’Brien’s role has been to lead the British government’s policy across that region, bridging the bureaucratic divide between the North Africa and […]

Politics & Diplomacy Sahel

Event Recap

Dec 3, 2012

Discussion with Moroccan Minister-Delegate for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation

By Adrienne Chuck

The Michael S. Ansari Africa Center hosted a discussion today with H.E. Youssef Amrani, minister-delegate for foreign affairs and cooperation of the Kingdom of Morocco.

New Atlanticist

Dec 3, 2012

To Save Congo, Let It Fall Apart

By Peter Pham

The Democratic Republic of Congo, which erupted in violence again earlier this month, ought to be one of the richest countries in the world.

North & West Africa

New Atlanticist

Nov 8, 2012

Divided Government and America’s Bipartisan Africa Policy

By Peter Pham

After a bitterly fought campaign that was the most expensive in history, the American electorate voted to keep the divided government that many told pollsters was responsible for the gridlock that has seriously weakened the United States. President Obama won a second term, albeit by a far closer margin than his historic 2008 election. Democrats […]

Economy & Business