South Africa in the post-apartheid period has registered steady growth, but mounting problems over inequality threaten the continent's economic engine, explains this Backgrounder.
See more in South Africa, Economics
Isobel Coleman hosts John Campbell, former U.S. ambassador to Nigeria, for a discussion about the political and economic transitions of South Africa and Nigeria as part of a Civil Society, Markets, and Democracy Initiative series on Realizing Democracy: Lessons from Transitioning Countries.
See more in Southern Africa, Democracy and Human Rights
U.S. and Western influence in Zimbabwe is limited compared to the region's powerhouse, South Africa. South Africa is Zimbabwe's largest trading partner, and South Africa's ruling party, the African National Congress, has wide-ranging contacts in Zimbabwean political circles.
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A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: Britain honors the late Margaret Thatcher; Venezuelans select the successor to Hugo Chavez; and the World Bank and IMF spring meetings begin in Washington.
See more in Botswana, U.S. Strategy and Politics
The recent announcement of a BRICS development bank raised many questions. Isobel Coleman writes about the potential structure and purpose of the BRICS development bank and its implications for international development and the global economy.
See more in South Africa, Brazil, Russian Fed., China, India, Business and Foreign Policy, Economic Development, Emerging Markets
Elliott Abrams analyzes President Obama's speech in Jerusalem.
See more in Botswana, United States, Israel, Foreign Policy History
Moving away from fossil fuels could be devastating for some of the world's poorest countries, says Michael A. Levi.
See more in Southern Africa, Emerging Markets, Natural Resources Management
The miners' strike reveals the growing frustration over the political bargain that ended apartheid but did little to ease systematic economic inequalities, writes CFR's John Campbell.
See more in Southern Africa, Political Movements
Between enthusiasm for President Obama's pro-democracy message and appreciation for the Democratic Party's support for the anti-apartheid movement, South Africans strongly favor Obama's reelection, says Moeletsi Mbeki.
See more in South Africa, U.S. Election 2012
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Protocol Against Corruption was adopted on August 14, 2001 and entered into force on July 6, 2005.
See more in Southern Africa, Corruption and Bribery
The emerging BRICS economies agree that the West should hold less sway in the global economy. But their leaders, despite regular summits, have failed to articulate a coherent vision because of divergent interests, says journalist Martin Wolf.
See more in South Africa, Brazil, Russian Fed., China, India, Trade, Diplomacy
Leaders of the BRICS countries (Brazil, the Russian Federation, India, China, and South Africa) made this declaration at the fourth BRICS Summit in New Delhi on March 29, 2012.
See more in South Africa, Brazil, Russian Fed., China, India, Geoeconomics
CFR's James M. Lindsay discusses Nelson Mandela's release from prison in February 1990 and his subsequent rise to the presidency to show how individuals shape history.
See more in South Africa, U.S. Strategy and Politics
Because of increasing American recalcitrance on multilateral issues, Jagdish Bhagwati holds little hope for the Durban climate change talks.
See more in South Africa, United States, Trade, Climate Change, UN, WTO
Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool discusses South Africa's role in the changing landscape of global health governance.
See more in South Africa, Global Health
Yanzhong Huang discusses the impact of chronic, noncommunicable disease on development in the BRICS nations.
See more in South Africa, Brazil, Russian Fed., China, India, Health and Disease
Jendayi Frazer and Valandra discuss Nelson Mandela on his ninety-third birthday.
See more in South Africa, Democracy and Human Rights, Political Movements
John Campbell discusses Nelson Mandela's contributions to South Africa.
See more in South Africa, Democracy and Human Rights
When apartheid ended, the new regime in South Africa promised to redistribute land that whites had stolen from blacks.
See more in South Africa, Democracy and Human Rights
Nicky Oppenheimer, Chairman of De Beers, discusses how businesses can benefit from entering Africa, and contribute to sustainable growth and development in the continent. "Africa, I think, is going to be a hugely important continent in the future," says Oppenheimer, emphasizing that "America is currently a bit behind China. I don't think they should lose or slip back any further."
See more in Botswana, United States, China, Defense/Homeland Security, Economic Development, Emerging Markets, Geoeconomics
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The Future of U.S. Special Operations Forces
Special operations play a critical role in how the United States confronts irregular threats, but to have long-term strategic impact, the author argues, numerous shortfalls must be addressed.
Reforming U.S. Drone Strike Policies
The author analyzes the potentially serious consequences, both at home and abroad, of a lightly overseen drone program and makes recommendations for improving its governance.
The Power Surge
A groundbreaking analysis of what the changes in American energy mean for the economy, national security, and the environment. More
Two Nations Indivisible
A roadmap for the United States' greatest overlooked foreign policy challenge of our time--relations with its southern neighbor. More
Why Growth Matters
Two experts argue that despite myriad development strategies, only one can succeed in alleviating poverty in India: the overall growth of the country's economy. More
