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 child sitting on a man's shoulder takes a picture as she visits the Bund waterfront area in Shanghai, China, on July 5.
A child sitting on a man's shoulder takes a picture as she visits the Bund waterfront area in Shanghai, China, on July 5.

Almost Nothing Is Worth a War Between the U.S. and China This article has an audio recording

Argument
Howard W. French
Supporters of Niger’s ruling junta gather for a protest in Niamey, Niger, on Aug. 3.
Supporters of Niger’s ruling junta gather for a protest in Niamey, Niger, on Aug. 3.

Niger’s Coup Is a Turning Point for Africans

Analysis
Howard W. French
Protesters gather in front of the French Embassy.
Protesters gather in front of the French Embassy.

How the West Could Actually Help the Sahel

Analysis
Howard W. French
Sculptures known as the “Benin Bronzes” are pictured at the German Foreign Ministry during a ceremony for the signing of an agreement of intent to return them to Nigeria, in Berlin, Germany, on July 1, 2022.
Sculptures known as the “Benin Bronzes” are pictured at the German Foreign Ministry during a ceremony for the signing of an agreement of intent to return them to Nigeria, in Berlin, Germany, on July 1, 2022.

The Moral Flaw in the Case Against Returning African Art

Analysis
Howard W. French
A protester sits in front of riot police during a demonstration at the Place de la Concorde in Paris on June 30.
A protester sits in front of riot police during a demonstration at the Place de la Concorde in Paris on June 30.

The Pernicious Delusion of Colorblind Policymaking

Analysis
Howard W. French
Russian President Vladimir Putin leaves after being greeted by Chinese President Xi Jinping before the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia summit in Shanghai.
Russian President Vladimir Putin leaves after being greeted by Chinese President Xi Jinping before the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia summit in Shanghai.

China’s Ideological Affinity With Russia Is Over

Argument
Howard W. French
U.S. and Indian flags adorn the Eisenhower Executive Office Building of the White House in Washington on June 20.
U.S. and Indian flags adorn the Eisenhower Executive Office Building of the White House in Washington on June 20.

Washington’s Perennial India Fantasy This article has an audio recording

Analysis
Howard W. French
Two white balloons float near a Chinese flag during a demonstration outside the Chinese Embassy in Washington.
Two white balloons float near a Chinese flag during a demonstration outside the Chinese Embassy in Washington.

Let’s Stop Pretending Spying Is a Big Deal This article has an audio recording

Analysis
Howard W. French
Two people sit at a bus stop in front of a billboard that features an image of Tinubu and Shettima with the slogan "The team to reconnect Nigeria."
Two people sit at a bus stop in front of a billboard that features an image of Tinubu and Shettima with the slogan "The team to reconnect Nigeria."

The Revolutionary Potential of the ‘Lagos Model’ This article has an audio recording

Analysis
Howard W. French
Reporters holding cell phones and microphones crowd around McCarthy inside the U.S. Capitol.
Reporters holding cell phones and microphones crowd around McCarthy inside the U.S. Capitol.

The Debt Ceiling Deal Highlights America’s Warped Priorities

Analysis
Howard W. French
Houses are shown on the edge of deep gouges in the land.
Houses are shown on the edge of deep gouges in the land.

U.S. Apathy Paved the Way for China in Africa This article has an audio recording

Analysis
Howard W. French
A closeup shot of the face of the protagonist of the film 2001: A Space Odyssey, Dave, in a space helmet with computer lights reflecting in his visor.
A closeup shot of the face of the protagonist of the film 2001: A Space Odyssey, Dave, in a space helmet with computer lights reflecting in his visor.

Only Humility Can Save Us From AI

Analysis
Howard W. French
A Congolese boy looks up toward a sign advertising a commercial center selling Chinese products in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, on Nov. 3, 2006.
A Congolese boy looks up toward a sign advertising a commercial center selling Chinese products in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, on Nov. 3, 2006.

Are China and Russia Bad for Africa? That’s the Wrong Question.

Analysis
Howard W. French
Lula and Xi walk side by side in front of a military honor guard.
Lula and Xi walk side by side in front of a military honor guard.

Why Lula’s Visit to Beijing Matters More Than Macron’s

Analysis
Howard W. French
Then-World Bank Group President David Malpass speaks at a briefing during the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund Spring Meetings in Washington on April 13.
Then-World Bank Group President David Malpass speaks at a briefing during the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund Spring Meetings in Washington on April 13.

The World Bank Is Still Failing the Poor

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

Latest

See All Stories

Trending

  1. 1
    China’s Military Is Now Leading This article has an audio recording
  2. 2
    The East-West Contest With No End
  3. 3
    The Battle of Narratives on the Thai-Cambodian Border