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.

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Articles by 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
People hold up their arms in protest on the street.
People hold up their arms in protest on the street.

The Common Denominator Behind Africa’s Crises

Analysis
Howard W. French
A man shields his face while grimacing and holding up a yellow flag.
A man shields his face while grimacing and holding up a yellow flag.

The Hezbollah Pager Explosions Are More Dangerous Than You Think

Argument
Howard W. French
Two women wearing the same t-shirt that reads "VOICES OF IMMIGRANTS" stare at the camera.
Two women wearing the same t-shirt that reads "VOICES OF IMMIGRANTS" stare at the camera.

Why Trump and Vance Are Scapegoating Haitians

Analysis
Howard W. French
A man in orange holds a red sign that reads: "WE WANT NIPPON STEEL'S INVESTMENTS."
A man in orange holds a red sign that reads: "WE WANT NIPPON STEEL'S INVESTMENTS."

Why Blocking Nippon Steel’s Purchase of U.S. Steel Is a Mistake

Argument
Howard W. French
A rocket is launched at night. There is a lot of smoke, and the photo is red-tinted.
A rocket is launched at night. There is a lot of smoke, and the photo is red-tinted.

The U.S. and China Should Consider Partnering in Space

Argument
Howard W. French
Chinese women take photos as they visit the Bund along the Huangpu River in Shanghai, China.
Chinese women take photos as they visit the Bund along the Huangpu River in Shanghai, China.

China’s Fragile Social Compact

Analysis
Howard W. French
The skyline looks hazy as the backdrop to a person riding a scooter.
The skyline looks hazy as the backdrop to a person riding a scooter.

China Is Neither Collapsing Nor Booming

Analysis
Howard W. French
A close-up of Trump's face as he speaks into a microphone. There is a bandage on his ear.
A close-up of Trump's face as he speaks into a microphone. There is a bandage on his ear.

Now Trump Is the One With the Age Problem

Argument
Howard W. French
Trump stands with his eyes closed in a suit with a red tie, before a banner that reads "CNN."
Trump stands with his eyes closed in a suit with a red tie, before a banner that reads "CNN."

Biden’s Age Is a Problem. Trump’s Agenda Is a Bigger One.

Argument
Howard W. French
Biden and Trump stand behind podiums. Trump's arm is gesturing toward Biden.
Biden and Trump stand behind podiums. Trump's arm is gesturing toward Biden.

The U.S. Has Its Own ‘Bad Emperor’ Dilemma

Analysis
Howard W. French
Three fishermen in a traditional vote ride the top of a wave as they had out to see. The lights of a gas terminal are seen on the horizon.
Three fishermen in a traditional vote ride the top of a wave as they had out to see. The lights of a gas terminal are seen on the horizon.

The Empty Promise of Africa’s Oil and Gas Boom

Analysis
Howard W. French
People walk past a train on a platform with their luggage.
People walk past a train on a platform with their luggage.

What Africa Can Learn From China’s Rise

Analysis
Howard W. French
Trump is shown from below, mid-speech, wearing a navy blue suit and a thick red tie. An American flag is hanging behind him.
Trump is shown from below, mid-speech, wearing a navy blue suit and a thick red tie. An American flag is hanging behind him.

The Problem With Invoking the ‘Third World’ Slur

Analysis
Howard W. French
A crowd of students in graduation robes protest as they walk out from the George Washington University commencement ceremony and onto the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Three women standing closest to the camera shout, with the two on either side of the woman in the middle holding up a Palestinian flag behind her.
A crowd of students in graduation robes protest as they walk out from the George Washington University commencement ceremony and onto the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Three women standing closest to the camera shout, with the two on either side of the woman in the middle holding up a Palestinian flag behind her.

Campus Protests Reflect Impatience With U.S. Foreign Policy

Argument
Howard W. French
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