Nick Kimble // The world has not always viewed East Africa as a "failed state." The change in perception is rooted in a Cold War proxy conflict in which the United States and the Soviet Union played a significant role, negatively transforming the region's image for decades.
Category: Africa
Flashpoint on the Nile: Why the World Should Pay Attention to Ethiopia’s Dam Project
Nick Kimble // Ethiopia's completion of a massive dam on the Nile River has led to severe tensions with Egypt....These persistent tensions have made the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance dam one of Africa's most significant potential flashpoints
Read the Room: How the Global South Views the Ukraine Conflict
Ehinger & Bryant // In NATO’s diplomatic overtures, it has failed to acknowledge how indifferent other parts of the world are towards Russia’s conflict with Ukraine.
The East African Spider Web: Offensive Forces Withdraw from Tigray
Cosimo Ceccarelli, Lake Dodson, & Nick Kimble // It is hopeful and noble to believe that this is the new beginning of an era of peace. Still, realistically, the fate of the Horn of Africa continues to waver with unsatisfying uncertainty.
Europe’s Breadbasket Isn’t Exporting Much Bread
Lake Dodson // Until mutual concessions are made to allow Ukrainian free trade or the Russian invasion of Ukraine ends, the lives of billions hang in the balance as “Europe’s breadbasket” is pillaged.
Death, Dictators and Diplomacy: Russia’s Rise in Africa
By Dayan Reynolds // Regardless of how the war in Ukraine impacts Russia’s influence in other corners of the world, one thing is clear: its stock in Africa is still on the rise.
Ethiopia and the Failure of National Dialogue
By Brad Settelmeyer // All sides must be present and respected when discussing a way forward from the ongoing conflict in Ethiopia. All other ways, as currently seen by Abiy Ahmed’s government, will surely fail and result in more casualties.
Missing Seats at the Table: The UN Security Council’s Post-Colonial Problem
By Patrick Fox // If the UN Security Council is going to play the role that it plays today, it must realize that the Cold War is over. Its top priority should be working to eliminate the systematic reinforcement of global poverty.
Trouble on the Nile: What Sudan’s Coup Means for the Horn Region
By Brad Settelmeyer // Egypt’s foreign ministry released a statement arguing that the security of Egypt is tied to the political stability of its southern neighbor, a supportive nod to the Sudan military government in power.
America Played a Big Role in Sudan’s Coup
By Patrick Fox // In a bid to create a regional ally during the Cold War, the US provided $1.4 billion in arms to Sudan between 1977 and 1985. This was the single largest commitment of American military resources to Sub-Saharan Africa.