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 Born in Blackness: Africa, Africans and the Making of the Modern World, 1471 to the Second World War.

Follow Howard W. French:
On Bluesky
On X
Articles by Howard W. French
A person holds up a sign at a protest that reads: "Keep Your [picture of hands] OFF The Students"
A person holds up a sign at a protest that reads: "Keep Your [picture of hands] OFF The Students"

Trump’s War on Universities Is More Dangerous Than You Think

Analysis
Howard W. French
Donald Trump smiles and waves from inside the back window of a black car.
Donald Trump smiles and waves from inside the back window of a black car.

What the World Will Look Like Without a ‘West’

Argument
Howard W. French
Donald Trump is seen from behind wearing a baggy blue suit as he exits the stage through a dark curtain.
Donald Trump is seen from behind wearing a baggy blue suit as he exits the stage through a dark curtain.

Trump’s Plan for a Greatly Diminished America

Argument
Howard W. French
A silhouette of the top of Elon Musk's head.
A silhouette of the top of Elon Musk's head.

AI Is Infiltrating the U.S. Government

Argument
Howard W. French
Trump looks off to the right under rays of sunlight.
Trump looks off to the right under rays of sunlight.

Trump Is Behaving a Lot Like Beijing

Argument
Howard W. French
Jack Ma is seen up close, holding his fingers to his right eye.
Jack Ma is seen up close, holding his fingers to his right eye.

What China Got Right About Big Tech

Analysis
Howard W. French
Trump is shown from the side as he speaks into a microphone. The background is almost entirely dark.
Trump is shown from the side as he speaks into a microphone. The background is almost entirely dark.

Trump Is Opening Pandora’s Box

Analysis
Howard W. French
A demonstrator in a yellow-green vest holds up a banner with Trump's face on it.
A demonstrator in a yellow-green vest holds up a banner with Trump's face on it.

The U.S. Can’t Afford to Be a Bad Neighbor

Argument
Howard W. French
A man pulls a man on a mattress on a rubble-strewn street.
A man pulls a man on a mattress on a rubble-strewn street.

Why Are We Ignoring Human Rights Criticism of Israel?

Analysis
Howard W. French
Effigies of Yoon and Trump are wrapped onto the back of a Trump during a protest. A woman in a mask poses in front of them, making the peace sign.
Effigies of Yoon and Trump are wrapped onto the back of a Trump during a protest. A woman in a mask poses in front of them, making the peace sign.

Would Trump Have Responded Differently to Seoul’s Crisis?

Analysis
Howard W. French
Biden and Lourenço stand next to each other, touching arms.
Biden and Lourenço stand next to each other, touching arms.

The Problem With U.S. Diplomacy in Africa

Argument
Howard W. French
A close-up of Trump, wearing a red "MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN" cap.
A close-up of Trump, wearing a red "MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN" cap.

Trump’s Real Goal for His Second Term? Chaos.

Argument
Howard W. French
Trump stands at a podium that reads "STOP BIDEN'S BORDER BLOODBATH."
Trump stands at a podium that reads "STOP BIDEN'S BORDER BLOODBATH."

Why the Economy Can’t Explain Trump’s Win

Argument
Howard W. French
Trump stands beside a crowd of people, facing the camera.
Trump stands beside a crowd of people, facing the camera.

So, Is Trump Really a Fascist?

Argument
Howard W. French
A man in a suit delivers a speech in front of a blue screen.
A man in a suit delivers a speech in front of a blue screen.

Why This Year’s Nobel in Economics Is So Controversial

Argument
Howard W. French
Load more by Howard W. French Return to staff list

Latest

See All Stories

Trending

  1. 1
    The Question of Israel’s Right to Exist Is a Red Herring
  2. 2
    How Fear Killed Liberalism
  3. 3
    So You Want to Work in International Affairs