On Sanctions Sanctions are poor substitutes for strategy. Why are they so popular?

I am convinced that sanctions are useful, but only when tied to specific policy goals and paired with active diplomacy. Despite the temptation, we need to resist treating the imposition or removal of sanctions as bold or decisive. They are not.

I wanted to launch a big initiative on urbanization in Africa. I failed before I started. poststrategy.substack.com/p/on-urbaniz...

U.S. policy toward Sub-Saharan Africa has become increasingly entangled with the Near East. In my latest, I share where we went astray and how to restore some balance in our approach. open.substack.com/pub/poststra...

My latest substack post explains why U.S. policymakers ask for less time, attention, and resources for Africa — and what are the consequences. open.substack.com/pub/poststra...

Africa and the New World Order: U.S. Pulls Back and China Moves Forward Podcast Episode · The China in Africa Podcast · 01/27/2026 · 50m

I really enjoyed this conversation about the future of U.S.-Africa relations. We will need to start over, return to first principles, and build anew.

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...

On Vice Presidents Most U.S. vice presidents involve themselves in U.S.-Africa policy. It is not always helpful.

The vice presidency is a force multiplier—and a minefield—in U.S.-Africa policy. My latest substack examines when VP engagement helps and when it hurts.

poststrategy.substack.com/p/on-vice-pr...

Since 1960, U.S. presidents have mentioned Africa in their speeches to the UN General Assembly. Only a few have said anything meaningful. My latest analyzing all 50 speeches -- from Eisenhower to Trump. poststrategy.substack.com/p/on-un-spee...

On Anchor States We tried to change the "anchor state" policy. It wasn't easy.

For decades, U.S. Africa policy leaned on a few “anchor states.” That model has broken down. My latest Substack post on how we struggled to broaden our engagement. poststrategy.substack.com/p/on-anchor-...

On Election Statements I disagree with Secretary Rubio's new policy on election statements. But he's not entirely wrong.

I drafted, edited, or approved U.S. statements on 13 out of 32 African elections between 2021 and 2024. In my new substack post, I explain what we need to do to get it right.

poststrategy.substack.com/p/on-electio...

Tanzania’s independence leader Julius Nyerere built a new army fit for African liberation: how he did it The early history of the Tanzanian army was shaped by interwoven domestic and international politics.

What a fantastic review of my friend @cthomasjamh.bsky.social’s new book on Tanzania’s army. I can’t wait to read it!

theconversation.com/tanzanias-in...

When I served as President Biden’s Senior Director for African Affairs at the National Security Council, I had more than a few difficult meetings over whether, and how, to cut foreign assistance. My reflections here: poststrategy.substack.com/p/on-foreign...

On Envoys We don't set up our envoys for success. We need to rethink the model.

U.S. envoys on Africa need:

✅ Authority
✅ Staff
✅ Resources

Most don’t get even one. I explain why in my new Substack. poststrategy.substack.com/p/on-envoys

Donald Trump’s approach to Africa is very, well, African What a meeting with five leaders says about his administration’s interest in the continent

The Economist included data from my substack, Post Strategy, on Oval Office meetings with African leaders. I hope folks will subscribe -- I publish every two weeks: poststrategy.substack.com

www.economist.com/middle-east-...

Thanks my friend! 🏆

On Initiatives There have been more than 60 U.S. initiatives on Africa since the 1990s. Few have survived.

In my latest substack post, I explain why a small handful of U.S. initiatives toward Africa have staying power while most just fade away.

poststrategy.substack.com/p/on-initiat...

Jelivrà Bo Situaçon by Manuel Gomes on Apple Music Song · 2017 · Duration 2:59

Love me some Cabo Verdean funk.

On Engagement The debate over who should meet with whom. Why it paralyzes U.S.-Africa policy.

My latest: the debate over who meets whom, and why it paralyzes U.S.-Africa policy.

Gnonnas Pedro & His Dadjes Band - Roi De L'Agbadja Moderne 1974-1983 (Analog Africa No.40), by Analog Africa 16 track album

Gnonnas Pedro is blowing my mind. Analog Africa never misses.

Analysis: Gauging US presidents’ Africa policy effectiveness White House historical data shows the more a US president engages with African leaders the more significant his policy implementation, according to former presidential aide.

Thanks to @semafor.com @yinka.bsky.social for sharing my work on tracking African leader meetings in the White House. www.semafor.com/article/05/1...

On the Oval Office We ranked 12 U.S. Presidents on their Africa policies. The results are surprising.

“It’s all in the numbers: presidents who meet with more African leaders launch more initiatives, introduce more policies, & engage more Africans on global issues. Everything flows from the Oval Office.”

Who wins? @jdevermont.bsky.social crunches the data:
poststrategy.substack.com/p/on-the-ova...

We ranked 12 U.S. presidents on their Africa policies. The results are surprising. New substack post: poststrategy.substack.com/p/on-the-ova...

President Biden Hosts a Bilateral Meeting with President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço of Angola YouTube video by The Biden White House

New Substack Post Teaser:

We ranked 12 U.S. presidents on their Africa policies. The results are surprising.

Subscribe to read all about when the post drops tomorrow. poststrategy.substack.com

www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsNx...

Africa’s Unprecedented Urbanization is Shifting the Security Landscape – Africa Center As Africa urbanizes at a record pace, security policies will need to adjust to the changing types of threats in urban versus rural settings.

Urbanization is not just shifting Africa’s security landscape, it is fundamentally re-ordering politics, business, and societies.

That’s why we made rebalancing toward urban hubs part of the U.S. strategy toward Africa.

africacenter.org/spotlight/af...

On Strategies I wrote President Biden's Africa Strategy. What went wrong?

Last week I posted my first substack on U.S. strategies toward Africa. What worked and what didn’t — including the one I wrote for President Biden.

open.substack.com/pub/poststra...