U.S. Policy Toward Africa: Eight Decades of Realpolitik
Event Type(s):
ADST-DACOR Book Launch
Description:
During the period 1955–1975, fifty-five African nations became independent of their European colonizers. The first two generations of independent African leaders welcomed American respect for their sovereignty and generous foreign assistance. Nevertheless, they presented Washington with numerous challenges. The adoption of authoritarian political systems and, in many cases, inefficient state-owned enterprises led to widespread instability throughout Africa. How Washington dealt with these and other challenges constitutes the heart of this book.
Hank Cohen draws on the documentary record and his years of on-the-ground experience as the State Department's "Mr. Africa" to provide a uniquely comprehensive survey and interpretation of the evolution of U.S. Africa policy since 1942. Of particular interest were the debates that took place at the highest levels of government as to the main directions of U.S. policy.
Cohen's career advanced in parallel with the initial decades of African independence, when he played an influential role in the formulation and implementation of U.S. policy during seven administrations. That experience placed him in a unique position to describe and analyze the evolution of U.S. policy during independent Africa’s youth and early middle age.
“There is no other former U.S. government official more insightful, qualified, and perceptive in analyzing not only the evolution of U.S. policy toward Africa since the 1960s independence wave but also todays' political and economic climate than former Assistant Secretary of State for Africa Herman Cohen. He remains one of America's most knowledgeable Africa experts.”
–– Robin Renee Sanders, former U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria and Republic of Congo
Cohen's book provides a comprehensive survey of how every American administration, from Roosevelt to Trump, interacted with African states, demonstrating creativity and innovation in economic assistance; providing direct support for the resolution of conflicts; and playing a decisive role in ending the minority regimes in Southern Rhodesia and South Africa.
“No one interested in U.S. relations with Africa should fail to read this lively account.”
–– David Passage, former U.S. ambassador to Botswana
During his 38 years in the Foreign Service, Hank Cohen served in France and five African countries: Uganda, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Congo (Kinshasa), and Senegal, this last as U.S. ambassador. In Washington, he was director for Central Africa, senior director for Africa on Reagan's National Security Council, and Assistant Secretary of State for Africa for President George H. W. Bush. He was later senior adviser to the Global Coalition for Africa for the World Bank and is now president of Cohen and Woods, an international consulting firm.
Event Date:
3/5/2020
Event Time:
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Eastern
Location:
DACOR Bacon House 1801 F Street, NW Washington, DC 20006 UNITED STATES
