The Ethiopian Somali Hawd Media Network posted on 31 March 2019 a 30 minute podcast with me titled "Analysis on Geopolitics of the Horn of Africa and Gulf States."
This is a wide ranging interview that covers relations between countries in the Horn of Africa and the Gulf States, great power competition in the region, and the internal situation in Ethiopia.
Showing posts with label Russia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Russia. Show all posts
Sunday, March 31, 2019
Thursday, March 28, 2019
Mali Prime Minister Wants both American and Chinese Investment
The Washington Times published on 27 March 2019 an article titled "Mali Prime Minister Urges U.S. To Counter China's Growing Dollar Diplomacy in Africa" by Guy Taylor.
Malian Prime Minister Soumeylou Boubeye Maiga said in an interview in Washington that if the United States wants democracy to flourish in his country, then the Trump administration must encourage private investment from major American companies while tolerating the presence of Chinese-backed infrastructure projects already there. While the prime minister said Mali prefers U.S.-style democracy, his country's development needs are so great it would be foolhardy not to welcome any foreign investment it can get.
In other words, both the United States and China are welcome in Mali; it should not be a question of choosing one country over the other.
Malian Prime Minister Soumeylou Boubeye Maiga said in an interview in Washington that if the United States wants democracy to flourish in his country, then the Trump administration must encourage private investment from major American companies while tolerating the presence of Chinese-backed infrastructure projects already there. While the prime minister said Mali prefers U.S.-style democracy, his country's development needs are so great it would be foolhardy not to welcome any foreign investment it can get.
In other words, both the United States and China are welcome in Mali; it should not be a question of choosing one country over the other.
Friday, March 8, 2019
Major and Middle Power Competition in the Red Sea Basin
These are remarks I made on 7 March 2019 titled "Competition in the Red Sea: Perspectives from the African Side." The primary focus is on China, Russia, France, Turkey, and Egypt.
Russia's Africa Ambitions
The National Interest published on 7 March 2019 a commentary titled "Russia's Africa Ambitions" by Peter Brookes, Heritage Foundation.
The author argues that many of Moscow's recent moves in Africa reflect Russia's resurgent foreign policy under President Vladimir Putin and his desire to return his country to great-power status.
The author argues that many of Moscow's recent moves in Africa reflect Russia's resurgent foreign policy under President Vladimir Putin and his desire to return his country to great-power status.
Saturday, March 2, 2019
US Scales Back Counterterrorism Effort in Africa
The New York Times published on 1 March 2019 an article titled "Where Terrorism Is Rising in Africa and the U.S. Is Leaving" by Eric Schmitt.
About 6,000 United States troops (many stationed at the U.S. military base in Djibouti) and 1,000 Defense Department civilians or contractors work throughout Africa, mainly training and conducting exercises with local forces. The Trump administration is scaling back this engagement when terrorism is on the rise in parts of Africa and as US Africa policy shifts to a focus on countering China and Russia on the continent.
About 6,000 United States troops (many stationed at the U.S. military base in Djibouti) and 1,000 Defense Department civilians or contractors work throughout Africa, mainly training and conducting exercises with local forces. The Trump administration is scaling back this engagement when terrorism is on the rise in parts of Africa and as US Africa policy shifts to a focus on countering China and Russia on the continent.
Friday, March 1, 2019
Chinese View of Trump Administration Africa Policy
China US Focus published in January 2019 a commentary titled "Trump's 'New African Strategy'" by He Wenping, senior fellow at China's Charhar Institute.
The author takes sharp exception to the Trump administration's new Africa strategy as set forth last December by National Security Adviser John Bolton. A key component of the strategy is to counter China and Russia in Africa.
The article says Trump had not appointed an assistant secretary of state for African affairs at the time Bolton announced the new strategy; in fact, assistant secretary Tibor Nagy was in place before Bolton announced the policy.
The author takes sharp exception to the Trump administration's new Africa strategy as set forth last December by National Security Adviser John Bolton. A key component of the strategy is to counter China and Russia in Africa.
The article says Trump had not appointed an assistant secretary of state for African affairs at the time Bolton announced the new strategy; in fact, assistant secretary Tibor Nagy was in place before Bolton announced the policy.
Friday, February 22, 2019
Trump Administration and Africa Policy
Newsweek published on 22 February 2019 a commentary titled "Trump May Be About To Undermine Obama's Africa Policy" by Herman J. Cohen, former assistant secretary of state for African affairs.
The author argued that there are indications the Trump administration could end well established Africa programs put in place by the Bush and Obama administrations.
The author argued that there are indications the Trump administration could end well established Africa programs put in place by the Bush and Obama administrations.
Monday, February 11, 2019
China-Africa Cooperation in Nuclear Power
CAC, a consulting and auditing firm based in Cameroon, recently posted an item titled "Nuclear: China As a Major Actor in Africa."
South Africa is now the only country in Africa to exploit nuclear power, but others are showing interest. About 30 African countries have reserves of uranium. Niger, South Africa and Namibia are important producers. China considers nuclear power as a strategic investment and is positioning itself to take advantage of growing interest in Africa by supplying services and expertise. It is already engaged in Niger and Kenya. CAC concludes that nuclear power is a new niche for the development of Sino-African relations.
South Africa is now the only country in Africa to exploit nuclear power, but others are showing interest. About 30 African countries have reserves of uranium. Niger, South Africa and Namibia are important producers. China considers nuclear power as a strategic investment and is positioning itself to take advantage of growing interest in Africa by supplying services and expertise. It is already engaged in Niger and Kenya. CAC concludes that nuclear power is a new niche for the development of Sino-African relations.
Friday, February 8, 2019
More Response to US Africa Policy Focus on China
The Asia Dialogue Digest posted on 5 February 2019 a commentary titled "China in Africa and the American Response" by Tom Harper, University of Surrey.
The author concluded that while US policy represents a clear expression of Washington's desire to challenge Chinese moves in Africa, it does not clearly demonstrate how the Trump administration's Africa strategy will effectively compete with China's more established initiatives.
The author concluded that while US policy represents a clear expression of Washington's desire to challenge Chinese moves in Africa, it does not clearly demonstrate how the Trump administration's Africa strategy will effectively compete with China's more established initiatives.
Monday, January 28, 2019
West Leaves Zimbabwe to China and Russia
The Asia Times published on 23 January 2019 a commentary titled "West Leaves Russia, China an Open Field To Court Zimbabwe--And the Rest of Africa" by Joseph Dana.
Both China and Russia have moved aggressively to court the new Emmerson Mnangagwa administration in Zimbabwe and they have found an eager partner. Western countries, particularly the United States, have shown no interest in Zimbabwe.
Both China and Russia have moved aggressively to court the new Emmerson Mnangagwa administration in Zimbabwe and they have found an eager partner. Western countries, particularly the United States, have shown no interest in Zimbabwe.
Wednesday, January 23, 2019
US Africa Policy Puts Focus on China and Russia
The United Arab Emirates' The National published on 22 January 2019 an article titled "America's New Policy in Africa Is an Attempt to Contain Chinese and Russian Influence" by Ismail Einashe, a journalist based in London.
The author concludes that while the United States has based its new Africa policy on containing China and Russia in Africa, it lacks the economic heft to compete with the amount of money that China is funneling into Africa. The only real advantages the United States has are its soft power and military expertise.
The author concludes that while the United States has based its new Africa policy on containing China and Russia in Africa, it lacks the economic heft to compete with the amount of money that China is funneling into Africa. The only real advantages the United States has are its soft power and military expertise.
Friday, December 28, 2018
New US Africa Policy Should Support Democracy Not Challenge China
Quartz Africa published on 19 December 2018 a commentary titled "The US Should Focus on Soft Power and China Cooperation in Africa--Not Rivalry" by Olusegun Obasanjo, former president of Nigeria, and Greg Mills, Chairman Brenthurst Foundation.
The authors express concern with that part of the Trump administration's new Africa policy that urges competition with China and Russia. Superpower rivalry in Africa has historically been "messy, destructive and occasionally bloody." The US should focus on how to better support democracy in Africa.
The authors express concern with that part of the Trump administration's new Africa policy that urges competition with China and Russia. Superpower rivalry in Africa has historically been "messy, destructive and occasionally bloody." The US should focus on how to better support democracy in Africa.
Monday, December 24, 2018
China Responds to US Africa Policy
The Chinese government's Global Times responded on 14 December 2018 to the Trump administration's new Africa policy with an editorial titled "US' New Africa Strategy Shows Washington's Jealously."
China suggested the US should abandon its prejudice against China's activities in Africa and strengthen coordination with Chinese partners there.
China suggested the US should abandon its prejudice against China's activities in Africa and strengthen coordination with Chinese partners there.
Thursday, December 20, 2018
Complicated Politics of Red Sea Region
The US Institute for Peace published on 19 December 2018 an interview with me titled "In Red Sea Region, Competing Outside Powers Complicate U.S. Interests."
The focus of the interview is the role in the Red Sea region of the Gulf States, Turkey, China and Russia on relations with states in the Horn of Africa and the impact on U.S. interests in the region.
The focus of the interview is the role in the Red Sea region of the Gulf States, Turkey, China and Russia on relations with states in the Horn of Africa and the impact on U.S. interests in the region.
Friday, December 14, 2018
Trump Administration Announces New Africa Policy
National Security Advisor John Bolton announced the Trump administration's new Africa policy on 13 December 2018 at the conservative Heritage Foundation. He said the administration will begin executing the policy immediately.
The strategy addresses three core interests: First, it will advance U.S. trade and commercial ties. Second, it will counter the threat from "Radical Islamic Terrorism and violent conflict." Third, it will ensure that U.S. taxpayer dollars for aid are used efficiently and effectively. In this connection, Bolton announced a new initiative called "Prosper Africa," which will support U.S. investment across the continent, grow Africa's middle class, and improve the overall business climate in the region.
Bolton's remarks included the sharpest criticism yet from any administration on the role being played in Africa by China and Russia.
The strategy addresses three core interests: First, it will advance U.S. trade and commercial ties. Second, it will counter the threat from "Radical Islamic Terrorism and violent conflict." Third, it will ensure that U.S. taxpayer dollars for aid are used efficiently and effectively. In this connection, Bolton announced a new initiative called "Prosper Africa," which will support U.S. investment across the continent, grow Africa's middle class, and improve the overall business climate in the region.
Bolton's remarks included the sharpest criticism yet from any administration on the role being played in Africa by China and Russia.
Tuesday, December 11, 2018
Trump Administration Focus in Africa: Counter China and Russia
NBC News posted on 10 December 2018 a story titled "Trump Admin Looks to Counter China, Russia's Growing Power in Africa with New Strategy" by Dan De Luce and Courtney Kube.
The authors report that the Trump administration is expected to release a policy statement on Africa this week drafted by the White House National Security Council that will emphasize America's rivalry with China and Russia as a top priority rather than an exclusive focus on counterterrorism. This shift in policy would be in accord with the US National Security Strategy announced in December 2017.
The authors report that the Trump administration is expected to release a policy statement on Africa this week drafted by the White House National Security Council that will emphasize America's rivalry with China and Russia as a top priority rather than an exclusive focus on counterterrorism. This shift in policy would be in accord with the US National Security Strategy announced in December 2017.
Monday, December 10, 2018
The Return of Russia to Africa
The New African published in November 2018 an article titled "The Return of Russia to Africa" by Johan Burger, Nanyang Technological University.
The author argues that Russia is expanding its activities across Africa, especially in the military sector. This is driven by a combination of increasing Russian isolation in Europe and the United States and the perception that the Trump administration is pulling back from Africa, leaving an opening for Moscow.
The author argues that Russia is expanding its activities across Africa, especially in the military sector. This is driven by a combination of increasing Russian isolation in Europe and the United States and the perception that the Trump administration is pulling back from Africa, leaving an opening for Moscow.
Tuesday, December 4, 2018
Horn of Africa, Gulf State Politics, US and China
The American Conservative posted on 3 December 2018 a commentary titled "What Is Saudi Arabia Up to in the Horn of Africa?" by James Jeffrey, freelance journalist.
The author argues that as Gulf State politics increasingly roil the situation in the Horn of Africa, the United States is focusing less on counterterrorism and more on political and economic challenges from China and Russia.
The author argues that as Gulf State politics increasingly roil the situation in the Horn of Africa, the United States is focusing less on counterterrorism and more on political and economic challenges from China and Russia.
Wednesday, November 28, 2018
France, Russia and China Compete in the Central African Republic
World Politics Review posted on 28 November 2018 an analysis titled "France and Russia Fiddle While the Central African Republic Burns" by Marcel Plichta, postgraduate student at the University of Glasgow.
This is an unusual account of competition among France, Russia and China for influence and mining rights in the Central African Republic.
This is an unusual account of competition among France, Russia and China for influence and mining rights in the Central African Republic.
Monday, November 26, 2018
New US Ambassador to Somalia
The Voice of America posted on 24 November 2018 a story titled "New US Ambassador to Somalia Sees Path to Peace, Prosperity" by Salem Solomon.
Donald Yamamoto, the new US ambassador to Somalia, is one of the most experienced specialists on Africa in the Department of State. He is taking a positive approach to his new assignment in Mogadishu.
Donald Yamamoto, the new US ambassador to Somalia, is one of the most experienced specialists on Africa in the Department of State. He is taking a positive approach to his new assignment in Mogadishu.
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