Beyond HumanitarianismWhat You Need to Know About Africa and Why It Matters

Africa is moving center stage in world politics, but not just for humanitarian reasons. Currently, 15 percent of U.S. oil imports come from Africa—-as much as from the Middle East-—and the continent is poised to double its output over the coming decade. It has become the focus of attention from countries like China, which now imports more oil from Angola than from Saudi Arabia. In addition, Africa is rising in importance in trade, international security, democracy promotion, and efforts to tackle worldwide concerns about global health and poverty.

The Council on Foreign Relations and Foreign Affairs present Beyond Humanitarianism, a compilation of recent work on Africa. This citizen’s guide to the complex issues and conflicts on the continent clarifies what’s at stake in Africa’s future. It addresses underlying trends—-such as the growth of democracy, the rising activity of China, and the political and economic prospects for the countries of Africa, as well as regional conflicts and terrorist threats there—-and provides an absorbing look at Africa’s emergence as a strategic player.