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BRICS Nations and the Future of Emerging MarketsPanelists discuss takeaways from the fifteenth annual summit of BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa), as well as the bloc’s position as an alternative to existing international forums, the long list of new and prospective members, and what this momentum means for emerging markets.
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U.S.-Japan-South Korea Summit, Ecuador’s Snap Election, BRICS Leaders Meet, and MoreU.S. President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol meet at Camp David to try to strengthen security cooperation against North Korea and coordinate China policies; Ecuador holds a snap election amid political violence; South Africa hosts the fifteenth summit of BRICS nations Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa with the goal of expanding the group’s geopolitical influence; and Niger’s crisis worsens as the military junta vows to prosecute deposed President Mohamed Bazoum.
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Will South Africa’s Power Crisis Sink Its Green Ambitions?A devastating power crisis is plaguing South Africa, battering its economy and threatening to sink its climate goals amid the global race to renewables.
Experts in this Region
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A Geopolitical ImperativeNigeria should seize the opportunity to raise its diplomatic game and lead the continent from the front.
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Facing Reality on South AfricaWalking on eggshells with South Africa only obscures an increasingly discordant U.S.-South Africa relationship.
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The Limits of the U.S.-South Africa RelationshipThe Biden administration’s attempts to build closer bonds with South Africa may not bear fruit, but it may be worth devoting more attention to nongovernmental actors.
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Another Year of Living DangerouslyIn 2022, several colossal events dominated the headlines, most prominently the war in Ukraine and the worldwide inflation that it helped spark. But beyond Ukraine, events with global implications continued to unfold. In this episode, Why It Matters checks in with three CFR fellows and CFR President Richard Haass to understand the least-covered stories of 2022 and to take a peek at what could await the world in 2023.
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Women This Week: Iran Becomes First Member State Ever Expelled from UN WomenWelcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers December 10 to December 16.
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Darryl G. Behrman Lecture on Africa Policy: The Legacy of Nelson MandelaPanelists discuss the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela, following the release of Mandela: The Lost Tapes, which features never-before-heard audio from interviews with Mandela for Long Walk to Freedom. The Darryl G. Behrman Lecture on Africa Policy is held in memory of Darryl G. Behrman, who was originally from South Africa and had an abiding passion for Africa and international peace. The annual lecture is funded by members of the Behrman family.
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Russia’s Constitution Day, EU Mulls Enlargement, U.S.-Africa Summit, and MoreRussia celebrates its Constitution Day as President Vladimir Putin manages the messaging around his war in Ukraine; the European Union’s top political leaders discuss possible expansion of the bloc and energy and security concerns amid the Ukraine war; and President Joe Biden hosts the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit to boost cooperation on trade, food security, COVID-19 responses, and other issues.
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A Fresh Start Eludes South AfricaThe South African President tried to focus his country on the future, but the past–including his own–continues to intrude.
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Biden and Ramaphosa Need to Confront Transnational Security ConcernsThe upcoming White House visit presents an opportunity to deepen monitoring and evaluation of bilateral collaboration on defense, intelligence, and law enforcement matters.
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A Conversation With Minister Naledi Pandor of South AfricaMinister Naledi Pandor discusses the state of democracy in sub-Saharan Africa, the country’s relationship with the United States, and the future of its role in the region and internationally.
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Reflections: Former Asst. Sec. for Africa Walter Kansteiner on the George W. Bush Administration's Zimbabwe PolicyFormer Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Walter Kansteiner reflects on his dealing with former South African President Thabo Mbeki in formulating U.S. policy toward Zimbabwe from 2001 to 2003.
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Omicron Travel Bans Will Hinder U.S. Africa PolicyWestern rhetoric on partnering with African countries as equals appears hollow as Western nations slap travel bans on African countries with confirmed cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.