Howard W. French

Howard W. French is a columnist at Foreign Policy, a professor at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, and a longtime foreign correspondent. His latest book is The Second Emancipation: Nkrumah, Pan-Africanism, and Global Blackness at High Tide.

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Articles by Howard W. French
Donald Trump holds an umbrella.
Donald Trump holds an umbrella.

Trump’s Fantastical Geopolitics

Argument
Howard W. French
A person wearing a large Trump mask holds a gun in one hand and an oil container in the other.
A person wearing a large Trump mask holds a gun in one hand and an oil container in the other.

The Political Incoherence of Trump’s Venezuela Gambit

Argument
Howard W. French
A man leans on a statue, holding a sign that reads: "PLUS JAMAIS ÇA!"
A man leans on a statue, holding a sign that reads: "PLUS JAMAIS ÇA!"

Benin’s Failed Coup Reveals Deepening Fault Lines in Africa

Analysis
Howard W. French
U.S. President Donald Trump participates in a roundtable discussion with farmers in the Cabinet Room of the White House on Dec. 8.
U.S. President Donald Trump participates in a roundtable discussion with farmers in the Cabinet Room of the White House on Dec. 8.

Trump’s National Security Strategy Is a Blueprint for the Demise of the West

Argument
Howard W. French
A close-up of Trump's face. He's staring ahead and wearing a yellow striped tie.
A close-up of Trump's face. He's staring ahead and wearing a yellow striped tie.

Trump’s Favorite Role? Foreign-Policy Czar.

Argument
Howard W. French
A large yellow flag over water reads: "FOSSIL GAS = CLIMATE CRISIS #FokusDiTerbarukan GREENPEACE"
A large yellow flag over water reads: "FOSSIL GAS = CLIMATE CRISIS #FokusDiTerbarukan GREENPEACE"

Techno-Optimism Can’t Save Us From Climate Change

Argument
Howard W. French
A man in a suit stands below a golden symbol of Africa on the wall. Five green flags are to his left.
A man in a suit stands below a golden symbol of Africa on the wall. Five green flags are to his left.

Africa Needs a Continental Body With Teeth

Argument
Howard W. French
Trump's silhouette is shown as he stands on a platform above a group of people.
Trump's silhouette is shown as he stands on a platform above a group of people.

U.S. Gunboat Diplomacy Will Only Embolden China This article has an audio recording

Argument
Howard W. French
Trump gestures with his arms out wide behind a sculpture that reads "PEACE 2025."
Trump gestures with his arms out wide behind a sculpture that reads "PEACE 2025."

Trump’s Foreign Policy Is Not as Successful as You Think

Argument
Howard W. French
A man is shown looking down, wearing a red hat with the words "TRUMP 2028." The hat's bill is decorated with the American flag.
A man is shown looking down, wearing a red hat with the words "TRUMP 2028." The hat's bill is decorated with the American flag.

‘Trump 2028’ Is No Joke

Argument
Howard W. French
Trump signs a document at his desk. He wears a navy suit and a blue tie.
Trump signs a document at his desk. He wears a navy suit and a blue tie.

The H-1B Visa Fiasco Is Accelerating America’s Decline

Argument
Howard W. French
A person with glasses holds up a sign with Trump and Bolsonaro's faces, and the text: "INIMIGOS DO POVO." The person is surrounded by people holding up red flags.
A person with glasses holds up a sign with Trump and Bolsonaro's faces, and the text: "INIMIGOS DO POVO." The person is surrounded by people holding up red flags.

Trump Is Ushering in the Era of the Strongman

Argument
Howard W. French
Protesters stage a rally against the detention of South Korean workers during an immigration raid in Georgia near the U.S. Embassy in Seoul on Sept. 9.
Protesters stage a rally against the detention of South Korean workers during an immigration raid in Georgia near the U.S. Embassy in Seoul on Sept. 9.

Trump Has a Cluster-Bomb Approach to Policy

Argument
Howard W. French
A silhouette of a young person is shown standing amid a neighborhood in ruins.
A silhouette of a young person is shown standing amid a neighborhood in ruins.

Israelis Need to Recognize the Humanity of Gazans

Argument
Howard W. French
Trump and Cook shape hands next to a poster board that reads: "Apple American Manufacturing Program."
Trump and Cook shape hands next to a poster board that reads: "Apple American Manufacturing Program."

Trump’s Economic Policy Is More Radical Than You Think

Argument
Howard W. French
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