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
Biden and Xi shake hands while standing on a red carpet next to a white marble column.
Biden and Xi shake hands while standing on a red carpet next to a white marble column.

Why Xi Was All Smiles With Biden

Analysis
Howard W. French
People stand outside the emergency ward of Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City on Nov. 10.
People stand outside the emergency ward of Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City on Nov. 10.

Where Is the West’s Moral Courage on Israel?

Argument
Howard W. French
A view shows an explosion in the distance with buildings in the foreground.
A view shows an explosion in the distance with buildings in the foreground.

Israel’s Gaza Campaign Is Entering a Moral Abyss

Argument
Howard W. French
A woman rides a bicycle in the historic center of Ferrara, Italy.
A woman rides a bicycle in the historic center of Ferrara, Italy.

Europe’s Coming Reckoning on Immigration

Argument
Howard W. French
A closeup photo of Biden sitting in front of Israeli and U.S. flags looking contemplative. Netanyahu is not seen in the frame.
A closeup photo of Biden sitting in front of Israeli and U.S. flags looking contemplative. Netanyahu is not seen in the frame.

Biden’s Unquestioning Support for Israel Could Be a Costly Error

Analysis
Howard W. French
Demonstrators carry Israeli flags and a large sign that reads "New York Stands With Israel."
Demonstrators carry Israeli flags and a large sign that reads "New York Stands With Israel."

The Peril in Declaring ‘I Stand With Israel’

Argument
Howard W. French
People hold a cutout depicting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a Sikh rally outside the Indian consulate in Toronto on Sept. 25.
People hold a cutout depicting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a Sikh rally outside the Indian consulate in Toronto on Sept. 25.

Washington Is Losing Credibility Over the Canada-India Spat

Analysis
Howard W. French
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, wearing a green collared shirt, walks toward the dais as he arrives to address the United Nations General Assembly in New York City
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, wearing a green collared shirt, walks toward the dais as he arrives to address the United Nations General Assembly in New York City

Why Ukraine Is Not a Priority for the Global South

Analysis
Howard W. French
A woman sits in a folding chair and rests her head face-down on a folding table.
A woman sits in a folding chair and rests her head face-down on a folding table.

China’s Youth Are Increasingly Grim About Their Future

Analysis
Howard W. French
Macron and Bongo, both smiling, sit side by side. Macron is reaching over and grasping Bongo's hand in a friendly gesture.
Macron and Bongo, both smiling, sit side by side. Macron is reaching over and grasping Bongo's hand in a friendly gesture.

France’s Concern for Gabon’s Democracy Is Too Little, Too Late

Argument
Howard W. French
Tourists look up at a giant buddha statue carved into the side of a mountain.
Tourists look up at a giant buddha statue carved into the side of a mountain.

China Is Closing In on Itself

Analysis
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
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