Thread by @JDevermont

I appreciate @USAfricaCommand General Townsend's effort, but this is a very tired beltway argument about Africa's importance. (1/n)

defense.gov/Explore/News/A…

There's more to say about Africa's influence in global affairs. From its three non-permanent seats on the security council to leadership positions at the @WHO and @wto. (2/n)

African countries will play a critical role in the fight against climate change. #DRC president Tshisekedi, #Gabon president Bongo, #Kenya president Kenyatta, #Nigeria president Buhari, & #SouthAfrica president Ramaphosa will attend today's summit. (3/n)csis.org/analysis/what-…

African crises, from the conflict in the Sahel to piracy off the Horn of Africa and Gulf of Guinea, have changed European politics and contributed to new protocols for the maritime commercial industry. (4/n)

African innovation, especially mobile money, has touched off a fintech revolution across the world. (5/n)

And yes, U.S. adversaries are increasingly engaged across the continent. But U.S. allies are doing more too. (6/n)

csis.org/analysis/world…

U.S. policy toward Africa is in need of a facelift—in both substance and strategic vision—to keep up with the continent’s shifting demographics and growing influence on the world stage. (7/n)

csis.org/analysis/new-u…

It needs to be smarter about how it competes with adversaries and more respectful of African agency. (8/n)

lawfareblog.com/havent-we-done…

The United States should implement a reset with its African partners, especially in response to the #Covid19 pandemic. (9/n)

csis.org/analysis/post-…

It should increase its engagement with Africa's urban centers. The continent is urban, and yet U.S. policy continues to act as if the region is overwhelmingly rural. (10/n)

csis.org/analysis/great…

And finally, we need a hometown argument about why Africa matters. The ties between the region and U.S. cities contribute to local industries, foster political leadership, enrich cultural life, advance scholarship, and promote philanthropy. (11/n)csis.org/features/afric…