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
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
A US-made CH-47 helicopter flies an 18-meter by 12-meter national flag at a military base in Taoyuan on September 28, 2021.
A US-made CH-47 helicopter flies an 18-meter by 12-meter national flag at a military base in Taoyuan on September 28, 2021.

The Real Stakes of Taiwan

Analysis
Howard W. French
People walk past a television screen showing Kim Jong Un speaking in front of a bank of microphones.
People walk past a television screen showing Kim Jong Un speaking in front of a bank of microphones.

Ending North Korea’s Isolation Is the Only Solution Left

Argument
Howard W. French
A statue of Leopold II is shown defaced with red paint.
A statue of Leopold II is shown defaced with red paint.

Confronting Belgium’s Colonial Legacy

Analysis
Howard W. French
People stand with their hands over their hearts and some holding American flags in a government office.
People stand with their hands over their hearts and some holding American flags in a government office.

The Clearest Path to Global Prosperity

Argument
Howard W. French
A supporter of Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. holds pictures of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos and his wife Imelda Marcos, at a campaign rally
A supporter of Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. holds pictures of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos and his wife Imelda Marcos, at a campaign rally

The Echoes of America’s Hypocrisy Abroad

Analysis
Howard W. French
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi is received by his Kenyan counterpart, Raychelle Omamo, in Mombasa, Kenya.
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi is received by his Kenyan counterpart, Raychelle Omamo, in Mombasa, Kenya.

While America Slept, China Became Indispensable This article has an audio recording

Analysis
Howard W. French
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