August 26, 2022

Africa needs Biden to have a wider vision, a ‘PEPFAR’ for our time

by K. Riva Levinson

In the face of Russia and China's increasing engagements in Africa, the White House's new U.S. Strategy towards Sub-Saharan Africa falls short of the vision needed to address the harsh realities facing the continent. With the U.S.-Africa Leaders' Summit just a few months away, the Biden Administration should follow the example of another successful strategy launched nearly twenty years ago: PEPFAR. 

July 16, 2022

Opportunity in crisis: The case of Nigeria

by K. Riva Levinson

With Nigeria gearing up for elections next year, the race between two wealthy septua-genarians shows that the political class is out of touch with Nigeria's young population. Political outsiders have the best shot at fielding a consensus candidate that represents the aspirations of the people.

May 5, 2022

The costs of Russia’s war in Ukraine — from Kharkiv to Khartoum

by K. Riva Levinson

The impact of Russia’s war in Ukraine has created an “unprecedented crisis” for Africa. U.S. leaders must take action to prevent this war from translating into long-term setbacks for Washington’s Africa policy.

February 22, 2022

America's interests in stopping Russian destabilization must extend to Africa

by K. Riva Levinson

President Biden's strategy for countering the Kremlin's geopolitical ambitions should extend to Africa, where Russia's destabilization operations continue to undermine the continent's democratic, security, and human rights institutions.

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.