Dan Kobayashi spent 16 years working as a U.S. diplomat focused on African issues, both at posts in Lesotho, Zambia, and Malawi, among others, and at the State Department's intelligence bureau in Washington, D.C. He had a close-up view of how U.S.-Africa policy has evolved over the years, particularly as it relates to China's expanding presence on the continent.

Today, Dan is out of government and works as a geopolitical risk consultant in Geneva, where he also writes for his new Expatriach Substack. He joins Eric, Cobus, and Géraud to share an insider's perspective on the current state of U.S. policy towards Africa and why the notion that Washington is competing with Beijing for influence in the region is outdated.

📌 Topics Covered in this Episode

Inside Washington's Africa policymaking
Trump's changing approach to Africa
The China "debt trap" debate
U.S.-China competition in Africa
Aid cuts, visas, and diplomacy
What's next for U.S.-Africa relations?

Show Notes:

Sign up to The Expatriach Substack
Expatriarch: USAID Is Unlikely to Be Replaced With Something Better Any Time Soon, So Stop Pretending by Dan Kobayashi
Expatriarch: My Resignation from the State Department by Dan Kobayashi

Join the Discussion:

X: @ChinaGSProject | @eric_olander | @christiangeraud | @stadenesque

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChinaAfricaProject
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@ChinaGlobalSouth

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Follow CGSP in French and Spanish:

French: www.projetafriquechine.com | @AfrikChine
Spanish: www.chinalasamericas.com | @ChinaAmericas

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Former State Department Insider on Washington's Muddled Africa Policy

The China in Africa Podcast

Former State Department Insider on Washington's Muddled Africa Policy