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U.S. fears are not only irrational—they’re a potential self-fulfilling prophecy.
List of Chad articles
![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.
Westerners should ask instead what kind of partnerships their own countries offer to the continent.
![Sudanese refugees from the Tandelti area receive aid in Koufroun, Chad, near Echbara, on April 30, 2023.]()
Sudanese refugees from the Tandelti area receive aid in Koufroun, Chad, near Echbara, on April 30, 2023.
Sudan’s War Might Not Stay in Sudan
A power struggle in the capital, Khartoum, could destabilize neighboring Chad and impact the entire Sahel region.
![Chad police officers patrol in the capital.]()
Chad police officers patrol in the capital.
A Narrow Escape, a Massacre, an Invite to Washington
U.S. officials hatched a plan to smuggle Chad’s pro-democracy leader to safety—while Washington planned to fete his tormentor.
![An aerial view of rising waters around the Numan bridge is seen in the Numan community of Adamawa State, Nigeria, on Sept. 25.]()
An aerial view of rising waters around the Numan bridge is seen in the Numan community of Adamawa State, Nigeria, on Sept. 25.
Floods Devastate West Africa
Hundreds of thousands of people are suffering in Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, and Niger due to government failures to invest in preventive infrastructure.
![France’s military drawdown in the Sahel is announced.]()
France’s military drawdown in the Sahel is announced.
France Bids Adieu to Its Military Mission in West Africa
But banishing the neocolonial approach is easier said than done.
![French President Emmanuel Macron greets Chadian President Idriss Déby as he arrived at the Élysée Palace in Paris on July 11, 2017. Déby died in battle earlier this year.]()
French President Emmanuel Macron greets Chadian President Idriss Déby as he arrived at the Élysée Palace in Paris on July 11, 2017. Déby died in battle earlier this year.
How France Undermines Democracy in Chad
Paris’s uncritical embrace of late dictator Idriss Déby prioritized regional security over human rights. His death is an opportunity to change tack.
![Chadian soldiers carry the coffin of late Chadian President Idriss Déby during his funeral.]()
Chadian soldiers carry the coffin of late Chadian President Idriss Déby during his funeral.
Biden Defaults to ‘War on Terror Approach’ to Chad
The U.S. president outlined big promises on human rights reforms. Critics say he’s already breaking them in Africa.
![Chadian President Idriss Déby casts his ballot at a polling station in N'djamena on April 11.]()
Chadian President Idriss Déby casts his ballot at a polling station in N'djamena on April 11.
Why the World Won’t Criticize Chad
Western democracies look the other way as a dictatorial ally in the war on terror holds another election marred by violence and intimidation.
![Soldiers with the United Nations stabilization mission in Central African Republic patrol in PK12 district, south of downtown Bangui, Central African Republic, on Jan. 13.]()
Soldiers with the United Nations stabilization mission in Central African Republic patrol in PK12 district, south of downtown Bangui, Central African Republic, on Jan. 13.
Outside Powers Are Making the Conflict in the Central African Republic Worse
Proxy wars pitting France and Chad against Russia and Rwanda threaten to destabilize the entire region while subjecting Central Africans to more violence and instability.
![Newly released child soldiers stand with rifles during their release ceremony in Yambio, South Sudan, on February 7, 2018.]()
Newly released child soldiers stand with rifles during their release ceremony in Yambio, South Sudan, on February 7, 2018.
The U.N. Secretary-General Is Letting Powerful Countries Get Away With Killing Kids
By removing Saudi Arabia and other serial violators of children’s human rights from the annual list of shame, António Guterres is weakening one of the U.N.’s most effective accountability mechanisms.
![French President Emmanuel Macron welcomes Chadian President Idriss Déby Itno at the Élysée presidential palace in Paris on Nov. 12, 2019.]()
French President Emmanuel Macron welcomes Chadian President Idriss Déby Itno at the Élysée presidential palace in Paris on Nov. 12, 2019.
As the World Is Distracted, Boko Haram Terrorists Strike a Key Western Ally
The battle against jihadi terrorism in Africa takes one of its deadliest turns yet, with consequences far beyond the region.
![A discarded Islamic State flag lies torn on the ground in the village of Baghouz, Syria, on March 24. (Giuseppe Cacace/AFP/Getty Images)]()
A discarded Islamic State flag lies torn on the ground in the village of Baghouz, Syria, on March 24. (Giuseppe Cacace/AFP/Getty Images)
ISIS’s West African Offshoot Is Following al Qaeda’s Rules for Success
The amorphous Boko Haram splinter group is taking inspiration where it can get it and bringing disaster to the Lake Chad Basin in the process.
![Members of the Cameroonian Gendarmerie patrol in Omar Bongo Square in Buea, Cameroon’s majority-Anglophone southwestern province’s capital, during a political rally for incumbent President Paul Biya on Oct. 3. (Marco Longari/AFP/Getty Images)]()
Members of the Cameroonian Gendarmerie patrol in Omar Bongo Square in Buea, Cameroon’s majority-Anglophone southwestern province’s capital, during a political rally for incumbent President Paul Biya on Oct. 3. (Marco Longari/AFP/Getty Images)
Cameroon’s Paul Biya Gives a Master Class in Fake Democracy
One of the world’s most experienced autocrats has clinched another seven-year term by bending the rules of the game in his direction in ways both old and new.
![A Turkish tank on a hilltop overlooking the Turkey-Syria border on Oct. 9, 2014. (Gokhan Sahin/Getty Images)]()
A Turkish tank on a hilltop overlooking the Turkey-Syria border on Oct. 9, 2014. (Gokhan Sahin/Getty Images)
When Diplomacy Disappears
The Trump Administration’s lack of engagement has made the terrorist threat worse.
![Chadian soldiers patrol in the Nigerian border town of Gamboru on Feb. 4, 2015. (Stephane Yas/AFP/Getty Images)]()
Chadian soldiers patrol in the Nigerian border town of Gamboru on Feb. 4, 2015. (Stephane Yas/AFP/Getty Images)
America Should Beware a Chadian Military Scorned
Stung by its inclusion on the Trump administration’s travel ban, Chad is already making life harder for U.S. troops in Africa.
![HANGZHOU, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 4: Chad's President Idriss Deby Itno attends the opening ceremony of the G20 Summit on September 4, 2016 in Hangzhou, China. World leaders are gathering for the 11th G20 Summit from September 4-5. (Photo by Mark Schiefelbein - Pool/Getty Images)]()
HANGZHOU, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 4: Chad's President Idriss Deby Itno attends the opening ceremony of the G20 Summit on September 4, 2016 in Hangzhou, China. World leaders are gathering for the 11th G20 Summit from September 4-5. (Photo by Mark Schiefelbein - Pool/Getty Images)
Why Is Chad in Trump’s New Travel Ban?
Experts are puzzled by Trump’s decision to include a U.S. counterterrorism ally in the new travel restrictions.
![le pen crop]()
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Marine Le Pen Spends One of Her Last Weeks Campaigning for French Presidency in Chad and Russia
A busy week for Le Pen as she juggles offending Chadians and posing with Putin.
![<> on April 2, 2011 in Pyongyang, North Korea.]()
<> on April 2, 2011 in Pyongyang, North Korea.
Longform’s Picks of the Week
The best stories from around the world.
![00_top_Fotor]()
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This Punchline Has Been Approved for All Audiences
Chad’s most famous comedian used to skewer President Idriss Déby's notoriously abusive government. Then he got seduced by praise and gifts — and decided to campaign for the dictator instead.
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Are China and Russia Bad for Africa? That’s the Wrong Question.
Westerners should ask instead what kind of partnerships their own countries offer to the continent.
Sudan’s War Might Not Stay in Sudan
A power struggle in the capital, Khartoum, could destabilize neighboring Chad and impact the entire Sahel region.
A Narrow Escape, a Massacre, an Invite to Washington
U.S. officials hatched a plan to smuggle Chad’s pro-democracy leader to safety—while Washington planned to fete his tormentor.
Floods Devastate West Africa
Hundreds of thousands of people are suffering in Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, and Niger due to government failures to invest in preventive infrastructure.
France Bids Adieu to Its Military Mission in West Africa
But banishing the neocolonial approach is easier said than done.
How France Undermines Democracy in Chad
Paris’s uncritical embrace of late dictator Idriss Déby prioritized regional security over human rights. His death is an opportunity to change tack.
Biden Defaults to ‘War on Terror Approach’ to Chad
The U.S. president outlined big promises on human rights reforms. Critics say he’s already breaking them in Africa.
Why the World Won’t Criticize Chad
Western democracies look the other way as a dictatorial ally in the war on terror holds another election marred by violence and intimidation.
Outside Powers Are Making the Conflict in the Central African Republic Worse
Proxy wars pitting France and Chad against Russia and Rwanda threaten to destabilize the entire region while subjecting Central Africans to more violence and instability.
The U.N. Secretary-General Is Letting Powerful Countries Get Away With Killing Kids
By removing Saudi Arabia and other serial violators of children’s human rights from the annual list of shame, António Guterres is weakening one of the U.N.’s most effective accountability mechanisms.
As the World Is Distracted, Boko Haram Terrorists Strike a Key Western Ally
The battle against jihadi terrorism in Africa takes one of its deadliest turns yet, with consequences far beyond the region.
ISIS’s West African Offshoot Is Following al Qaeda’s Rules for Success
The amorphous Boko Haram splinter group is taking inspiration where it can get it and bringing disaster to the Lake Chad Basin in the process.
Cameroon’s Paul Biya Gives a Master Class in Fake Democracy
One of the world’s most experienced autocrats has clinched another seven-year term by bending the rules of the game in his direction in ways both old and new.
When Diplomacy Disappears
The Trump Administration’s lack of engagement has made the terrorist threat worse.
America Should Beware a Chadian Military Scorned
Stung by its inclusion on the Trump administration’s travel ban, Chad is already making life harder for U.S. troops in Africa.
Why Is Chad in Trump’s New Travel Ban?
Experts are puzzled by Trump’s decision to include a U.S. counterterrorism ally in the new travel restrictions.
Marine Le Pen Spends One of Her Last Weeks Campaigning for French Presidency in Chad and Russia
A busy week for Le Pen as she juggles offending Chadians and posing with Putin.
Longform’s Picks of the Week
The best stories from around the world.
This Punchline Has Been Approved for All Audiences
Chad’s most famous comedian used to skewer President Idriss Déby's notoriously abusive government. Then he got seduced by praise and gifts — and decided to campaign for the dictator instead.
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