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
An illustration shows the Yongzheng emperor dressed in exquisite attire and seated on a throne-like chair.
An illustration shows the Yongzheng emperor dressed in exquisite attire and seated on a throne-like chair.

What China’s Past Can Tell Us About Xi’s Future

Analysis
Howard W. French
Hu Jintao reaches down to touch Xi Jinping's shoulder as Hu is escorted from the hall.
Hu Jintao reaches down to touch Xi Jinping's shoulder as Hu is escorted from the hall.

The Hu Jintao Drama Reveals Beijing’s Fundamental Flaw

Analysis
Howard W. French
Xi holds an umbrella in the rain as he walks past a soldier.
Xi holds an umbrella in the rain as he walks past a soldier.

Xi Jinping’s Moment of Economic Reckoning

Argument
Howard W. French
Putin's face is shown on a large video screen in front of a crowd waving Russian flags.
Putin's face is shown on a large video screen in front of a crowd waving Russian flags.

Why Putin’s Denunciations of Western Imperialism Ring Hollow

Argument
Howard W. French
Students sit at desks in a classroom.
Students sit at desks in a classroom.

Who Speaks English?

Argument
Howard W. French
A black and white photo shows a younger Queen Elizabeth II shaking hands with people in traditional dress in Ghana.
A black and white photo shows a younger Queen Elizabeth II shaking hands with people in traditional dress in Ghana.

Queen Elizabeth II Wasn’t Innocent of Her Empire’s Sins

Argument
Howard W. French
A view through an open, barred iron gate shows a courtyard.
A view through an open, barred iron gate shows a courtyard.

The History of Slavery Is All of Our History This article has an audio recording

Argument
Howard W. French
People sit atop a yellow billboard featuring a photo of Nelson Mandela, the African National Congress logo, and the slogan "Vote for Jobs, Peace and Freedom."
People sit atop a yellow billboard featuring a photo of Nelson Mandela, the African National Congress logo, and the slogan "Vote for Jobs, Peace and Freedom."

Nelson Mandela’s Missed Opportunity

Analysis
Howard W. French
A Taiwanese military outpost on Shi islet is seen past anti-landing spikes placed along the coast of Lieyu island on Taiwan’s Kinmen islands, which lie just 2 miles from the coast of mainland China, on Aug. 10.
A Taiwanese military outpost on Shi islet is seen past anti-landing spikes placed along the coast of Lieyu island on Taiwan’s Kinmen islands, which lie just 2 miles from the coast of mainland China, on Aug. 10.

We’re Still Asking the Wrong Questions About War With China Over Taiwan

Argument
Howard W. French
Blinken smiles and waves atop an external staircase in front of an open airplane door showing the Secretary of State's official seal.
Blinken smiles and waves atop an external staircase in front of an open airplane door showing the Secretary of State's official seal.

A Little Great-Power Competition Is Healthy for Africa

Argument
Howard W. French
A group of older Chinese adults sits on a bench outside chatting.
A group of older Chinese adults sits on a bench outside chatting.

A Shrinking China Can’t Overtake America This article has an audio recording

Argument
Howard W. French
A group of illegal gold panners look for gold in the Kibi area of southern Ghana
A group of illegal gold panners look for gold in the Kibi area of southern Ghana

Ghana’s ‘Success’ Exposes the West’s Toxic Development Model

Argument
Howard W. French
A close up of Abe's face as he looks down with a serious expression in front of a red-orange background.
A close up of Abe's face as he looks down with a serious expression in front of a red-orange background.

The Many Contradictions of Shinzo Abe

Analysis
Howard W. French
From left to right, front to back row: South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé, Malawian President Arthur Peter Mutharika, Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio, and Liberian President George Weah attend a group photo session during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing on Sept. 3, 2018.
From left to right, front to back row: South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé, Malawian President Arthur Peter Mutharika, Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio, and Liberian President George Weah attend a group photo session during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing on Sept. 3, 2018.

What the U.S. Still Doesn’t Get About Countering China

Argument
Howard W. French
An upside down U.S. flag is shown with the U.S. Supreme Court building in the background.
An upside down U.S. flag is shown with the U.S. Supreme Court building in the background.

America Is Losing Its Value Proposition

Argument
Howard W. French
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