Why the U.S. Needs an Africa Strategy, With Michelle Gavin

This episode unpacks how Africa's demographic surge, critical mineral wealth, and expanding security threats are reshaping its relevance to U.S. foreign policy in the twenty-first century.

Host:

James M. Lindsay (cfr.org/experts/james-m-lindsay), Mary and David Boies Distinguished Senior Fellow in U.S. Foreign Policy, CFR

Guest:

Michelle Gavin (cfr.org/experts/michelle-gavin), Ralph Bunche Senior Fellow for Africa Policy Studies, CFR

We Discuss:

• Why U.S. policy has historically treated engagement with Africa as an option rather than a strategic priority.

• How Africa's demographic growth is reshaping its position in the global order.

• Why maritime chokepoints around Africa are increasingly critical to global commerce.

• How other powers, including China, Turkey, and the Gulf states, are outpacing the United States in building African partnerships.

• What Africa's critical mineral resources mean for the green transition and for African domestic politics.

• How the United States can balance working with political elites while remaining relevant to broader African publics.

• What the diminished U.S. response to the current Ebola outbreak reveals about American policy choices.

• Why job creation should be the organizing principle for any coherent U.S. strategy toward the continent.

Mentioned on the Episode:

Michelle Gavin, "The New African Power Map (cfr.org/articles/the-new-african-power-map)," cfr.org

Michelle Gavin, The Age of Change: How Urban Youth Are Transforming African Politics (cfr.org/books/age-change)

For an episode transcript and show notes, visit The President’s Inbox at: cfr.org/podcasts/presidents-inbox/why-the-us-n…

Opinions expressed on The President’s Inbox are solely those of the host or guests, not of CFR, which takes no institutional positions on matters of policy.