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 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
A Taiwanese military outpost on Shi islet is seen past anti-landing spikes placed along the coast of Lieyu island on Taiwan’s Kinmen islands, which lie just 2 miles from the coast of mainland China, on Aug. 10.
A Taiwanese military outpost on Shi islet is seen past anti-landing spikes placed along the coast of Lieyu island on Taiwan’s Kinmen islands, which lie just 2 miles from the coast of mainland China, on Aug. 10.

We’re Still Asking the Wrong Questions About War With China Over Taiwan

Argument
Howard W. French
Blinken smiles and waves atop an external staircase in front of an open airplane door showing the Secretary of State's official seal.
Blinken smiles and waves atop an external staircase in front of an open airplane door showing the Secretary of State's official seal.

A Little Great-Power Competition Is Healthy for Africa

Argument
Howard W. French
A group of older Chinese adults sits on a bench outside chatting.
A group of older Chinese adults sits on a bench outside chatting.

A Shrinking China Can’t Overtake America This article has an audio recording

Argument
Howard W. French
A group of illegal gold panners look for gold in the Kibi area of southern Ghana
A group of illegal gold panners look for gold in the Kibi area of southern Ghana

Ghana’s ‘Success’ Exposes the West’s Toxic Development Model

Argument
Howard W. French
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