I wanted to grapple honestly with the criticism that there is too much lecturing in U.S. policy toward Africa. My conclusion: it is right, but there's also a lot wrong with the critique too.https://poststrategy.substack.com/p/on-lecturing
Judd Devermont
@jdevermont.bsky.social
Operating Partner, Kupanda Capital | Board Member, Fraym | Non-Resident Scholar, Carnegie Africa Program | Former NSC Senior Director for African Affairs | Former National Intelligence Officer for Africa | Personal Account
I have been building analytic tools with AI, translating elite intelligence tradecraft for the modern era. Jerry Laurienti and I used AI to conduct a key assumptions check on African responses to the Iran shock for @semafor.com www.semafor.com/article/04/2...
View: Faulty assumptions leave Africa unprepared for a prolonged Iran shock
The continent should focus on pursuing greater regional integration and diversification, two experts argue.
semafor.com
I am convinced that sanctions are useful, but only when tied to specific policy goals and paired with active diplomacy. Despite the temptation, we need to resist treating the imposition or removal of sanctions as bold or decisive. They are not.
On Sanctions
Sanctions are poor substitutes for strategy. Why are they so popular?
poststrategy.substack.com
I wanted to launch a big initiative on urbanization in Africa. I failed before I started. poststrategy.substack.com/p/on-urbaniz...
U.S. policy toward Sub-Saharan Africa has become increasingly entangled with the Near East. In my latest, I share where we went astray and how to restore some balance in our approach. open.substack.com/pub/poststra...
My latest substack post explains why U.S. policymakers ask for less time, attention, and resources for Africa — and what are the consequences. open.substack.com/pub/poststra...
I really enjoyed this conversation about the future of U.S.-Africa relations. We will need to start over, return to first principles, and build anew. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Africa and the New World Order: U.S. Pulls Back and China Moves Forward
Podcast Episode · The China in Africa Podcast · 01/27/2026 · 50m
podcasts.apple.com
The vice presidency is a force multiplier—and a minefield—in U.S.-Africa policy. My latest substack examines when VP engagement helps and when it hurts. poststrategy.substack.com/p/on-vice-pr...
On Vice Presidents
Most U.S. vice presidents involve themselves in U.S.-Africa policy. It is not always helpful.
poststrategy.substack.com
Since 1960, U.S. presidents have mentioned Africa in their speeches to the UN General Assembly. Only a few have said anything meaningful. My latest analyzing all 50 speeches -- from Eisenhower to Trump. poststrategy.substack.com/p/on-un-spee...
For decades, U.S. Africa policy leaned on a few “anchor states.” That model has broken down. My latest Substack post on how we struggled to broaden our engagement. poststrategy.substack.com/p/on-anchor-...
On Anchor States
We tried to change the "anchor state" policy. It wasn't easy.
poststrategy.substack.com
I drafted, edited, or approved U.S. statements on 13 out of 32 African elections between 2021 and 2024. In my new substack post, I explain what we need to do to get it right. poststrategy.substack.com/p/on-electio...
On Election Statements
I disagree with Secretary Rubio's new policy on election statements. But he's not entirely wrong.
poststrategy.substack.com
What a fantastic review of my friend @cthomasjamh.bsky.social’s new book on Tanzania’s army. I can’t wait to read it! theconversation.com/tanzanias-in...
Tanzania’s independence leader Julius Nyerere built a new army fit for African liberation: how he did it
The early history of the Tanzanian army was shaped by interwoven domestic and international politics.
theconversation.com
When I served as President Biden’s Senior Director for African Affairs at the National Security Council, I had more than a few difficult meetings over whether, and how, to cut foreign assistance. My reflections here: poststrategy.substack.com/p/on-foreign...
U.S. envoys on Africa need: ✅ Authority ✅ Staff ✅ Resources Most don’t get even one. I explain why in my new Substack. poststrategy.substack.com/p/on-envoys
On Envoys
We don't set up our envoys for success. We need to rethink the model.
poststrategy.substack.com
The Economist included data from my substack, Post Strategy, on Oval Office meetings with African leaders. I hope folks will subscribe -- I publish every two weeks: poststrategy.substack.com www.economist.com/middle-east-...
Donald Trump’s approach to Africa is very, well, African
What a meeting with five leaders says about his administration’s interest in the continent
economist.com
In my latest substack post, I explain why a small handful of U.S. initiatives toward Africa have staying power while most just fade away. poststrategy.substack.com/p/on-initiat...
On Initiatives
There have been more than 60 U.S. initiatives on Africa since the 1990s. Few have survived.
poststrategy.substack.com
My latest: the debate over who meets whom, and why it paralyzes U.S.-Africa policy.
On Engagement
The debate over who should meet with whom. Why it paralyzes U.S.-Africa policy.
open.substack.com
Gnonnas Pedro is blowing my mind. Analog Africa never misses.
Gnonnas Pedro & His Dadjes Band - Roi De L'Agbadja Moderne 1974-1983 (Analog Africa No.40), by Analog Africa
16 track album
analogafrica.bandcamp.com
Thanks to @semafor.com @yinka.bsky.social for sharing my work on tracking African leader meetings in the White House. www.semafor.com/article/05/1...
Analysis: Gauging US presidents’ Africa policy effectiveness
White House historical data shows the more a US president engages with African leaders the more significant his policy implementation, according to former presidential aide.
semafor.com
“It’s all in the numbers: presidents who meet with more African leaders launch more initiatives, introduce more policies, & engage more Africans on global issues. Everything flows from the Oval Office.” Who wins? @jdevermont.bsky.social crunches the data: poststrategy.substack.com/p/on-the-ova...
On the Oval Office
We ranked 12 U.S. Presidents on their Africa policies. The results are surprising.
poststrategy.substack.com
We ranked 12 U.S. presidents on their Africa policies. The results are surprising. New substack post: poststrategy.substack.com/p/on-the-ova...
New Substack Post Teaser: We ranked 12 U.S. presidents on their Africa policies. The results are surprising. Subscribe to read all about when the post drops tomorrow. poststrategy.substack.com www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsNx...
President Biden Hosts a Bilateral Meeting with President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço of Angola
YouTube video by The Biden White House
youtube.com
Urbanization is not just shifting Africa’s security landscape, it is fundamentally re-ordering politics, business, and societies. That’s why we made rebalancing toward urban hubs part of the U.S. strategy toward Africa. africacenter.org/spotlight/af...
Africa’s Unprecedented Urbanization is Shifting the Security Landscape – Africa Center
As Africa urbanizes at a record pace, security policies will need to adjust to the changing types of threats in urban versus rural settings.
africacenter.org
Last week I posted my first substack on U.S. strategies toward Africa. What worked and what didn’t — including the one I wrote for President Biden. open.substack.com/pub/poststra...
On Strategies
I wrote President Biden's Africa Strategy. What went wrong?
open.substack.com