December 7, 2021

Biden's 'Democracy Summit' meets the African paradox

by K. Riva Levinson

As the Biden administration prepares for its virtual “Summit for Democracy," one of the fundamental challenges for U.S. policy will be how to advance the agenda of the African people without contributing to the inertia of its undemocratic leaders.

September 22, 2021

From Afghanistan to the Sahel, is Washington listening?

by K. Riva Levinson

America’s chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan has been declared a catastrophic failure of intelligence. What lessons should this suggest for the Biden adminstration's unfolding policy in Africa?

July 22, 2021

Africa doesn't deserve last place in the vaccine race

by K. Riva Levinson

The United States needs to go all-in to confront the vaccine imbalance and tackle the injustices in the global health infrastructure that got us here.

June 1, 2021

It's time for Biden's Africa policy to be bold

by K. Riva Levinson

Nearly five months into his term, President Biden's Africa policy is showing some encouraging signs. But the White House needs to go beyond promising statements and gestures.

February 14, 2021

Wearing a mask likely saved my life — twice

by K. Riva Levinson

The science is clear. Wearing a mask is about self-preservation. Take it from me: I’ve had at least two close calls.

January 20, 2021

Who sets democracy's gold standard now?

by K. Riva Levinson

Like the Jan. 6 riot in the United States, Ghana’s democracy was tested by election-related violence. By choosing a path of reconciliation, President Akufo-Addo reminded the world why Ghana is the democratic gold standard in Africa.

December 9, 2020

'Gumbo Diplomacy' and the rise of Linda Thomas-Greenfield

by K. Riva Levinson

Louisiana native Linda-Thomas Greenfield, Biden's pick for U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, has a singular approach to connecting with people to solve problems: Gumbo Diplomacy.

November 16, 2020

Africa's activist generation deserves US support

by K. Riva Levinson

Protests in Nigeria that started as a demonstration against police brutality have morphed into a reckoning over the failure of the country's democratic institutions to stand stronger than its corrupt and unaccountable politicians.