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 Born in Blackness: Africa, Africans and the Making of the Modern World, 1471 to the Second World War.

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Articles by Howard W. French
A girl walks in front of electoral posters in support of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party at Ribadu Square, Jimeta, Adamawa State, Nigeria where the PDP is set to hold a rally, on February 14, 2019.
A girl walks in front of electoral posters in support of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party at Ribadu Square, Jimeta, Adamawa State, Nigeria where the PDP is set to hold a rally, on February 14, 2019.

2023’s Most Important Election Isn’t Where You Think

Argument
Howard W. French
A picture of China's President Xi Jinping with a face mask is displayed as people visit an exhibition about China's fight against Covid in Wuhan on Jan. 15, 2021.
A picture of China's President Xi Jinping with a face mask is displayed as people visit an exhibition about China's fight against Covid in Wuhan on Jan. 15, 2021.

China’s Government Is a Self-Made COVID-19 Victim

Argument
Howard W. French
U.S. President Joe Biden takes part in a photo with African leaders during the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington on Dec. 15, 2022.
U.S. President Joe Biden takes part in a photo with African leaders during the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington on Dec. 15, 2022.

How Africa Can Avoid Getting Scrambled

Argument
Howard W. French
A man wears a protective mask and looks at his phone as he rests on a pedestrian bridge overlooking an expressway.
A man wears a protective mask and looks at his phone as he rests on a pedestrian bridge overlooking an expressway.

China’s Restive Middle Class Will Be Xi’s Greatest Test Yet This article has an audio recording

Argument
Howard W. French
A woman with her arms raised holds up a blank white sheet of paper while a man nearby holds a megaphone to his mouth.
A woman with her arms raised holds up a blank white sheet of paper while a man nearby holds a megaphone to his mouth.

Xi’s Obsession With Control Produced China’s Protests

Argument
Howard W. French
An illustration shows the Twitter logo displayed on a mobile phone with Elon Musk in the background on Nov. 19.
An illustration shows the Twitter logo displayed on a mobile phone with Elon Musk in the background on Nov. 19.

What We Lose if We Lose Twitter This article has an audio recording

Argument
Howard W. French
U.S. President Joe Biden shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping
U.S. President Joe Biden shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping

On a U.S.-China Détente, Don’t Believe the Hype

Argument
Howard W. French
An illustration shows the Yongzheng emperor dressed in exquisite attire and seated on a throne-like chair.
An illustration shows the Yongzheng emperor dressed in exquisite attire and seated on a throne-like chair.

What China’s Past Can Tell Us About Xi’s Future

Analysis
Howard W. French
Hu Jintao reaches down to touch Xi Jinping's shoulder as Hu is escorted from the hall.
Hu Jintao reaches down to touch Xi Jinping's shoulder as Hu is escorted from the hall.

The Hu Jintao Drama Reveals Beijing’s Fundamental Flaw

Analysis
Howard W. French
Xi holds an umbrella in the rain as he walks past a soldier.
Xi holds an umbrella in the rain as he walks past a soldier.

Xi Jinping’s Moment of Economic Reckoning

Argument
Howard W. French
Putin's face is shown on a large video screen in front of a crowd waving Russian flags.
Putin's face is shown on a large video screen in front of a crowd waving Russian flags.

Why Putin’s Denunciations of Western Imperialism Ring Hollow

Argument
Howard W. French
Students sit at desks in a classroom.
Students sit at desks in a classroom.

Who Speaks English?

Argument
Howard W. French
A black and white photo shows a younger Queen Elizabeth II shaking hands with people in traditional dress in Ghana.
A black and white photo shows a younger Queen Elizabeth II shaking hands with people in traditional dress in Ghana.

Queen Elizabeth II Wasn’t Innocent of Her Empire’s Sins

Argument
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
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