Navigating the U.S.‐China Rivalry: African Leaders' Perspectives on China's Non‐Western Economic Engagement in Africa

Africa as a continent has lost its talent to the international countries due to the brain drain. Limited research has been done on the African perspective on talent management under the tribal authorities. Strategies to get beyond these barriers and establish a more welcoming and encouraging atmosphere for tribal talent is necessitated. The purpose of the paper was to determine the strategies needed to overcome the barriers to talent management from an African tribal leadership perspective. Further, to determine how to attract and retain talent from an African tribal leadership perspective. Traditional leaders representing their respective tribes in the North-West Province were interviewed in the form of focus group discussion. A non-probability judgemental sampling was used for the study: a non-probability judgmental sampling method was used to identify traditional leaders in the North-West Province, and a thematic analysis was applied to analyse the data. Succession planning was highlighted in the findings of the study as a complicated matter. Furthermore, poor rural and socioeconomic development were identified as the push factors of the best performers and skilled individuals from the local communities. African leaders should recognise the human capital, which encompasses the skills, knowledge, and abilities of their citizens, because is a crucial factor for economic development and social progress.

Founded in 1967, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has emerged as one of the most successful regional organizations in the world. This book discusses the future of ASEAN against a backdrop of a growing US–China rivalry and the security implications of COVID-19. Chapters in this book move through a history of ASEAN and its multilateral institutions, including the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), featuring rare photographic material to contextualize both recent developments in regional security and projections for ASEAN’s prospects. Key concepts and terms are unpacked throughout, with the chapters focusing on rapidly changing international and regional environments, economic insecurities such as trade conflicts, human rights, and ASEAN identity, and providing extensive analysis of the factors challenging the principle ASEAN Centrality and the Indo-Pacific security architecture. The concept of security community frames this book, despite being subject to change if intraregional discord and institutional stagnation take hold. As a discussion of the role and future of ASEAN in a pivotal period of world history, ASEAN and Regional Order will prove vital to both students and scholars of international relations, regional organizations, and Asian studies more broadly.

Leadership and health in Africa

What are the conditions under which governments form more ethnically inclusive coalitions? Previous contributions highlight strategic incentives as well as colonial and precolonial legacies as determinants of ethnically inclusive government coalitions but overlook the impact of political mobilization during the decolonization period. We argue that ideological exposure and commitment to the Pan-African anticolonial movement played a vital role in African leaders’ decisions to share power with other ethnic communities. We leverage novel data on African government leaders’ attendance at decolonization-era Pan-African conferences through a unique collection of conference delegate lists. Accounting for rival mechanisms, we find that African political elites who attended Pan-African conferences formed ethnically more inclusive government coalitions when they became government leaders. Our findings imply that the ideological influence and commitment signaled by conference attendance affected political leaders’ approach to form more inclusive governments and that ethnic coalitions have systematically unexplored legacies in the Pan-African decolonization movement.

This chapter analyses the drivers of India’s growing involvement in Southeast Asia and its emerging engagement in the South China Sea dispute in the shadow of US–China rivalry. It traces the evolution of India’s deepening, multi-faceted relationships with East Asia, which have emerged as a result of the “Look East” and “Act East” policies and efforts on the part of states in that region to draw India into its institutional architecture and strategic dynamics. It observes the relatively recent emergence of India’s direct stake in sustaining maritime security and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, as well as commitments to uphold the so-called “rules-based order”. It argues that since the early 1990s India has acquired new interests in the prosperity, stability, and security of the region, as its economy has become more integrated with the ASEAN bloc, as its concerns about Chinese capabilities and intentions have intensified, and as its commitments to new strategic partners in East Asia, including Japan and the United States, have multiplied.

Scholars over the years have delved into the discourse of states’ foreign publics engagements in their foreign policy objectives. This analysis is done generally with the western perspective of public diplomacy with recent Asian scholarship evolving. As a result, this study aims to reflect on public diplomacy from an African perspective. Therefore, it analyses how African governments have been engaging their foreign publics (foreign governments and their citizens) to attract foreign aid, tourism, and investments in their nation-building and development trajectory. The article explores African public diplomacy mechanisms such as diasporas, nation branding, cultural diplomacy, and many others. It also digests some of the challenges confronting African governments in their public diplomacy campaigns, like lack of research, human and financial resources, and lack of coherent foreign policy documents. The article’s findings demonstrate that although Africa generally has rich public diplomacy resources, these are not adequately harnessed in most African states’ foreign policy. This situation has led to poor foreign policy implementation by most African governments. The study contributes to the public diplomacy scholarship in general and African public diplomacy in particular, which scholars have underexplored. It concludes that scholars should delve into the exegesis of the rich African public diplomacy currencies.

During President Donald Trump’s tenure (2017–2021), Indo-US relations witnessed unprecedented growth, marked by deeper strategic and economic cooperation. The Trump administration considered India as a crucial partner in its Indo-Pacific policy, boosting bilateral defense accords, intelligence-sharing systems, and military collaboration. India was classified as a Major Defense Partner, permitting high-end military purchases and bilateral military exercises, such as the Malabar Naval Exercise. This alignment was not merely limited to security; economic collaborations also expanded, with both nations working to enhance trade relations, reduce tariffs, and increase investment flows. The rising convergence between Washington and New Delhi was primarily motivated by mutual worries about China's development, promoting stronger connections in technology, commerce, and regional security frameworks. The strengthening of Indo-US relations had direct implications for Pakistan, as the strategic balance in South Asia tilted further in India’s favor. The Trump administration took a harder attitude against Pakistan, notably on its counterterrorism efforts and suspected backing for terrorist groups operating in Afghanistan and Kashmir. Consequently, military aid to Pakistan was significantly reduced, and Islamabad faced diplomatic isolation in several international forums. Additionally, India’s growing economic and military ties with the United States empowered New Delhi’s regional influence, which heightened Pakistan’s security concerns. These developments forced Pakistan to seek alternative alliances, deepening its strategic and economic partnership with China, especially through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Pakistan’s response to these shifting geopolitical dynamics was multifaceted, as it sought to reposition itself in the evolving power structure of South Asia. To counterbalance India’s rising influence, Islamabad intensified its engagements with China, Russia, and Turkey, forging stronger economic and defense collaborations. Additionally, Pakistan worked to strengthen its position within multilateral platforms like the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to diversify its diplomatic and economic dependencies. Furthermore, the Pakistani leadership initiated counterterrorism measures and policy reforms to improve its global standing and avoid economic sanctions. Despite these efforts, the Indo-US strategic alignment continued to present challenges for Pakistan, forcing it to navigate an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape while safeguarding its national security and economic stability. Keywords Indo-US Relations , Trump Administration , Strategic Partnership , Defense Cooperation , Economic Engagement , Pakistan Foreign Policy , Geopolitical Shifts , CPEC

This paper aims to fill in the gap in research on the effect of pharmaceutical lobbying on drug reimbursement policy, particularly in Poland, a post-communist country. To this end, we conducted in-depth, semi-structured, anonymous, elite interviews in Poland, supplemented by a review of legislation, policy documents, official reports and press articles, as well as observations. Overall, 109 representatives of stakeholders involved in reimbursement policy were interviewed. We identified two key lobbying methods: informal persuasion and third-party endorsements. These methods are coupled with two supplementary ones: lobbying through parliament and ministries, as well as diplomatic pressure. Pharmaceutical lobbying methods in Poland clearly resemble those used in other European countries. What is notable about the Polish case is extensive reliance on informal lobbying and diplomatic pressure.

This piece examines Mexico's foreign policy in the Caribbean within the EU-CELAC framework, aiming to comprehensively analyse Mexico's historical ties, economic interests, and regional dynamics in the Caribbean. The study explores strategic partnerships, economic ties, and security cooperation, shedding light on Mexico's potential role in the geopolitical landscape of Latin America and the Caribbean. Additionally, it examines Mexico's engagement with indigenous communities in the Caribbean, focusing on environmental diplomacy, cultural diplomacy, resource management, and human rights advocacy. The research also investigates the interests of France and the Netherlands in the Caribbean, emphasizing cultural cooperation, economic partnerships, environmental collaboration, and security cooperation. The research uncovers Mexico's multifaceted engagement in the Caribbean, highlighting strategic partnerships, economic interests, and security cooperation. It also reveals the significance of environmental diplomacy, cultural diplomacy, and human rights advocacy in Mexico's interactions with indigenous communities in the Caribbean. Furthermore, the study identifies potential areas for enhanced cooperation between the EU and the Caribbean within the EU-CELAC framework, emphasizing the benefits of cultural, economic, and security collaboration. The research employs a comprehensive analysis of historical and contemporary diplomatic interactions, economic engagements, and security cooperation between Mexico and the Caribbean. It utilizes a qualitative approach to examine Mexico's foreign policy strategies, historical ties, and economic interests in the Caribbean. Additionally, the study incorporates insights from cultural, economic, and security perspectives to provide a holistic understanding of Mexico's role in the Caribbean within the EU-CELAC framework. The overall conclusion is the significance of Mexico's diplomatic and economic engagements in the Caribbean, offering valuable insights into regional dynamics, strategic partnerships, and potential areas for enhanced cooperation. It also emphasizes the interests of France and the Netherlands in the Caribbean region, highlighting the importance of cultural, economic, and security cooperation. The study contributes to a better understanding of the geopolitical landscape of Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as the potential for collaborative initiatives within the EU-CELAC framework. Disengagement and Tolerance are not unconditionally a good thing. It can also be an expression of carelessness.

Background: In sub-Saharan Africa, AIDS has resulted in many deaths, economic loss, sufferings and cultural changes. This paper focuses on the health, cultural, social and economic impact of HIV and AIDS on African communities. Objective: The study was conducted to analyse the problems ushered in by HIV and AIDS and developmental benefits that have resulted from the pandemic from an African perspective. Methods: This was not a systematic review because the medical and health literature related to the topic was searched unsystematically. We conducted a structured literature search using the following keywords: HIV/AIDS, victories, vexations, public health and African. The major literature data bases used were PubMed, EMBASE, google scholar and African Journals online. We also scanned reference lists for relevant citations including books, conferences and workshop reports. All articles selected were in English. We used most publications from 1983 to 2012. In-depth interviews were also held with some elderly persons. Observations on some African cultures were also conducted. Results: With rapid diagnostic tests and antiretroviral drugs, many lives have been saved from AIDS-related deaths. Victories in the fight against HIV/AIDS include a good diagnostic test, anti-retrovirals, risky behaviour changes that predispose people to HIV and vexations like lack of a vaccine, deaths, economic loss, hardship, social stigma and continuous HIV transmission. The changes in repugnant cultural habits have reduced the burden of HIV/AIDS in some communities. AIDS orphans need food, shelter, education, clothing, emotional and psychological well-being, health care and subsistence. Behaviour change and stigma have been difficult to measure and quantify but a validation scale has been developed. The new vision of three zeros (zero new infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths), lack of financial commitment from African governments, the concentration of new HIV infections among youths and the enactment of laws on human rights forHIV/AIDS patients canmitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS. Conclusions: Even though substantial progress has been made in the areas of treatment, health education, diagnosis, family planning, stigma reduction, home-based care and identification of high risk groups, there are still a number of barriers to HIV and AIDS service provision that need to be addressed. Community coping mechanisms should be sustained for the care of AIDS orphans.

Presidential extraversion: Understanding the politics of Sino-African mega-infrastructure projects

: China is Africa s latest benefactor. With capital investments, trade, developments in agriculture, infrastructure and education exceeding $107 billion as of 2009, China is effectively captivating the hearts, minds, and allegiance of the African continent. China has garnered the trust and confidence of most African leaders by adopting a pragmatic strategy based on perceived mutually beneficial trade, investment in infrastructure and energy programs, while circumventing politics and human rights issues. Long term, Chinese engagement in Africa could adversely affect U.S. influence in the region, its access to the continent s mineral resources, and its agenda for African democracy. Many scholars and policy practitioners advocate that the U.S. should respond to the growing Chinese influence in Africa; however, recommended solutions are varied. Results of numerous U.S. programs and financial aid to Africa have had limited impact. Therefore, the U.S. should explore a novel strategy that voluntarily transplants the African Diaspora back into the continent as agents of change. This strategy will benefit Africa, advance U.S. national interests, and accommodate China s needs for mineral resources.

The notion of ‘African perspectives’ on development refers to three things. First, it refers to the attempts by a number of Marxist-influenced African leaders, from the 1960s onwards, to pursue models for the development of their nations that were qualitatively different from those that were being promoted by the international community. Second, it refers to the arguments of a number of ‘postcolonial’ scholars who argued that historical processes of European extraction from Africa were the cause of the continent’s ‘underdevelopment’ in the first place. Finally, it refers to more recent attempts by development agencies to understand how specifically African knowledge and perspectives might forward development agendas and goals. To understand how these three elements emerged at the times they did, it is necessary to locate them within the broader trends in development theory and practice from which, and into which, they emerged.

This article provides a comparative analysis of the political economy of Chinese and Indian economic engagement strategies in Nigeria. It argues that although China is becoming increasingly prominent in Nigeria partly because of its state-led economic engagement strategy, India’s private sector-led engagement strategy chimes with Nigeria’s neoliberal economic reforms. However, the article maintains even though both Chinese and Indian strategies are not mutually exclusive to either of the two giants in the pursuit of their interests on the continent, African leaders and policymakers need to develop more strategic engagement plans in their dealings with China and India.

The tendency of even wealthier African nations to over-rely on foreign aid, even if it exceeds the acceptable debt-to-GDP ratio of 40%, is the same tendency that has affected the effective utilisation of Africa’s natural wealth to attain economic independence. It is the same tendency that frustrates the creation of an environment that inspires private sector businesses to meaningfully contribute to the improvement of Africa’s economic self-sufficiency. To respond to such dynamics, this study uses integrative review as a qualitative research method to offer a critical analysis of Africa’s economic independence challenges and debates as instigated in recent days by Donald Trump’s closure of USAID (United States Agency for International Development) and termination of American aid and financial support to several developing countries. Through such analysis, the study aims to discern the strategies that can be adopted for reducing Africa’s over-reliance on foreign aid whilst also bolstering its economic independence. While striving to attain economic independence, results from integrative review revealed Africa to face conflicting situations and paradoxes of having to balance decolonisation quests with over- reliance on foreign aid for economic development. Africa also experiences paradoxes of undertaking meaningful economic investment vis-à-vis quests of keeping away self-serving interests and temptations like corruption. It further faces difficulties of serving selfish political interests instigating instabilities vis-à-vis quests of enhancing economic sustainability and independence. Combined with poor governance, controls and conflicts of politicizing state support to private sector businesses vis-à-vis quests of seeking to grow a vibrant private sector, these create a paradox that African leaders must deal with if they are to seamlessly sail to economic freedom. Given these findings, the paper proposes that while mitigating the politicization of state support to private sector businesses, African governments must prioritize the provision of unfettered private sector support. African governments should also harness revenues generated from their vast natural resources’ exploitation to diversify into economic sectors and industries that they have weaknesses. This would create economic linkages that boost intra-Africa economic activities, productivity and growth to spur Africa to the desired state of economic independence.