Joshua Eisenman

David H. Shinn, a former U.S. diplomat and Africa scholar, teams up with Joshua Eisenman, a politics professor and China expert, to explore China's growing influence in Africa. They discuss how Xi Jinping’s leadership has shifted China's strategy to prioritize relationships in the Global South. The conversation covers China's multilayered diplomatic efforts, the impact of the Belt and Road Initiative, and varying levels of agency among African nations. They also analyze how China's governance model is perceived and its evolving military presence in the region.

In this discussion, David H. Shinn, a former U.S. diplomat and expert on China-Africa relations, teams up with Joshua Eisenman, a Notre Dame politics professor specializing in China studies. They explore China's growing strategic engagement with Africa since 2012, emphasizing military cooperation, educational ties, and the significance of the Global South. The duo delves into the nuances of bilateral relations, Chinese soft power through media, and the implications for U.S.-Africa relations as they analyze the evolving geopolitical landscape.

In this engaging discussion, Joshua Eisenman, a politics professor at the University of Notre Dame, explores the shifting landscape of U.S. soft power under Trump. He highlights America's retreat from global institutions and the resulting credibility loss. Eisenman warns how China is stepping in to fill the leadership void, promoting an alternative governance model. He shares insights from various countries about their responses to the U.S.-China rivalry and discusses the contrasting impacts of U.S. and Chinese foreign aid on global relations.