What does it take to build up women’s rights after war? Miriam J. Anderson - August 18, 2022 This nuanced compilation looks at women’s empowerment after Sierra Leone’s civil war, from different perspectives
Paul Farmer’s last book teaches still more about pandemics Kim Yi Dionne - June 20, 2022 With a great deal of storytelling, Farmer emphasizes that it’s a mistake when policymakers focus on controlling spread rather than delivering health care
Announcing the ninth African Politics Summer Reading Spectacular! Laura Seay and Kim Yi Dionne - June 2, 2022 Join us in reading some of the latest books on African politics
What happens to childhood vaccine rates in conflict zones? This analysis found some surprises. Olga Shemyakina, Marijke Verpoorten, Henrik Urdal, Gudrun Østby, and Andreas Forø Tollefsen - February 2, 2022 We examined more than 200,000 records in 15 African countries
New variants mean we’re only as strong as the weakest national health systems. Identifying them is hard. Leonard Seabrooke and Alexander Kentikelenis - November 27, 2021 To tackle threats like omicron, we need to know how well different countries are prepared for pandemics
WHO workers are accused of sexual exploitation and abuse. That hurts everything the U.N. does. Jasmine Westendorf - October 5, 2021 As one official told me: ‘The U.N. is not a superpower. It has only its moral authority, and if you undermine that, you’re finished.’
The Cold War is a poor analogy for today’s U.S.-China tensions Jessica Chen Weiss - July 11, 2021 That view ignores China’s deep challenges — and the strength of U.S. diplomacy
Humanitarian organizations won’t listen to groups on the ground, in part because of institutionalized racism Michael Barnett - June 7, 2021 Here’s what prompted the push toward localization — and what’s blocking this change
There’s a long, global history to today’s anti-Asian bias and violence Sarah Hayes, Kim Yi Dionne, and Fulya Felicity Turkmen - April 18, 2021 ‘Foreigners’ have been blamed for disease all the way back to the bubonic plague — and probably beyond
Africa has started vaccinating against the coronavirus. But do citizens trust their governments on vaccine safety? Aminatou Seydou - March 11, 2021 New Afrobarometer surveys help explain vaccine reluctance in five West African countries
Don’t believe the hype about China’s ‘vaccine diplomacy’ in Africa Lina Benabdallah - March 4, 2021 Chinese medical experts have been sharing expertise and assistance throughout Africa for decades.
A covid-19 vaccine might be tough to distribute in countries at war Jori Breslawski - November 12, 2020 Misinformation is just one of the challenges
African countries can fight coronavirus better when citizens encourage one another Melina R. Platas, Leah R. Rosenzweig, and Clara Bicalho - September 8, 2020 A recent survey offers public health insights from Nigeria, Uganda and Kenya
Covid-19 is accelerating multilateralism in Africa Mary Treacy and Landry Signé - July 26, 2020 The African Union helped spearhead a coordinated response to the pandemic.
Withdrawing from the WHO would hurt global security — and global respect for the U.S. Summer Marion - May 20, 2020 The private sector can’t fill the roles of donor countries
How international organizations are stepping up to respond to the pandemic Stephanie C. Hofmann and Christian Kreuder-Sonnen - May 4, 2020 When governments put their nations first, coronavirus cooperation falls short
Many Africans distrust their governments. How will that affect their coronavirus response? E. Gyimah-Boadi and Carolyn Logan - May 1, 2020 How governments handle the pandemic — whether with compassion or corruption — will influence attitudes for years to come.
How can African governments persuade citizens to follow coronavirus guidelines? Allison Grossman - April 17, 2020 The right messengers matter
Trump wants to review the WHO’s actions. These are its key roles and limitations. Jeremy Youde - April 16, 2020 The logo and building of the World Health Organization headquarters
The U.N. has appealed for a global coronavirus cease-fire Govinda Clayton - April 12, 2020 But is it possible to quarantine conflict?
More voting by mail would make the 2020 election safer for our health. But it comes with risks of its own. Robert M. Stein, Charles Stewart III, and Barry Burden - April 5, 2020 It’s not clear whether “at-home voting” can be ramped up nationwide by November
Sanders was losing to Biden anyway. But he lost more in areas with coronavirus cases. James Bisbee and Dan Honig - April 1, 2020 A study found evidence that coronavirus-induced anxiety prompted a political “flight to safety” that cost Sanders votes.
Americans who are biased against Asians are more likely to fear the coronavirus Tyler Reny and Matt Barreto - April 1, 2020 Hearing leaders’ anti-Asian and xenophobic rhetoric may boost that anxiety.
Why Trump’s approval bump isn’t helping him against Joe Biden Robert Griffin and John Sides - March 31, 2020 The voters who increasingly approve of Trump aren’t actually the ones likely to vote for him in November.
The World Bank’s 2017 pandemic response fund isn’t working Mara Pillinger - March 31, 2020 Private sector solutions don’t always fit public sector problems
Republicans were more concerned about Ebola than they’ve been about coronavirus. Here’s why. Michael Tesler - March 27, 2020 Party leaders’ messages have a big influence on public opinion -- especially on new and complex diseases like Ebola and covid-19.
Why China and the U.S. can’t cooperate to fight coronavirus Ali Wyne - March 26, 2020 These new rifts have begun to emerge
Does the World Health Organization have the freedom to do what it needs to do about covid-19? Jeremy Youde - March 4, 2020 Health diplomacy is tricky.
The coronavirus is about to hit Africa. Here are the big challenges. Amy Patterson - February 18, 2020 Many Africans don’t trust the health system. That complicates the response.
China’s rigid governance system means local health problems can easily go national John K. Yasuda - February 3, 2020 So many layers of bureaucracy can’t move as quickly as a virus.
Why China’s politics makes it easier — and harder — to control disease outbreaks Joan Kaufman - January 28, 2020 It’s not just about wild animal markets.
Is China ready for this major global health challenge? Elanah Uretsky - January 27, 2020 Beijing invested heavily in public health around the world — but left troubling gaps at home
The WHO held off on declaring the Wuhan coronavirus a global health emergency. Here’s why. Mara Pillinger - January 26, 2020 These decisions are an uneasy balancing act between science and politics
China’s coronavirus outbreak has prompted some travel restrictions. That could backfire. Catherine Z. Worsnop - January 24, 2020 Countries don’t always follow WHO guidelines, and that’s a problem
African countries are opening their borders. What does this mean for security, identity and trade? Lisa Mueller and Abhit Bhandari - August 12, 2019 People support free trade, but there are other bonds.
Nancy Pelosi said ‘the Squad’ was just ‘four people.’ But here’s why they might succeed. Jeffrey S. Lantis - July 24, 2019 Generational turnover and new technologies pose new challenges
Here’s how Madagascar’s leaders could end their country’s long history of civil conflict Velomahanina Tahinjanahary Razakamaharavo - July 3, 2019 My research found which kinds of peace negotiations work — and which lead to more upheaval.
Here’s why Ebola has been so hard to contain in Eastern Congo Laura Seay and Kim Yi Dionne - June 24, 2019 Levels of citizens’ mistrust shape how they respond to the epidemic.
Congo’s elections had a startling result. This is what’s going on. Sara Hellmüller - January 17, 2019 [caption id="attachment_82718" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Congolese police officers hold back members
The U.S. has pulled back its Ebola response in Congo. Here’s the story. Jeremy Youde - November 8, 2018 [caption id="attachment_79992" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A medical worker puts on protective
Why this strain of Ebola will be far more difficult to stop Lindsay Scorgie-Porter - October 19, 2018 [caption id="attachment_79103" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A medical worker prepares to treat
Cameroon has an election Sunday — and everyone already knows the winner Yonatan Morse - October 6, 2018 [caption id="attachment_78633" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A Cameroonian couple on a scooter
Ebola is back — and a threat to people in Congo. Are African public health systems ready? Emmanuel Balogun and Amy Patterson - September 27, 2018 [caption id="attachment_78280" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A health worker in protective gear
African governments are far from powerless in global health initiatives like those against AIDS Kim Yi Dionne - August 11, 2018 [caption id="attachment_76624" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Kenya's first lady, Margaret Kenyatta, talks
Trump’s election has polarized Americans’ views of the future Eric Oliver - March 2, 2018 [caption id="attachment_69469" align="aligncenter" width="960"] President Trump departs the White House
This is why Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was just awarded the $5 million Ibrahim prize Pamela Scully - February 13, 2018 [caption id="attachment_69195" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Former Liberia president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
Sierra Leone goes to the polls on March 7. Here are the 5 things you need to know. Luisa Enria and Jamie Hitchen - February 7, 2018 [caption id="attachment_68931" align="aligncenter" width="960"] In this 2012 photo, voters in
Liberia has a new president. Here are 3 things to watch for in his first 100 days. Sabrina Karim - January 29, 2018 [caption id="attachment_68544" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Liberia's new president, George Weah, speaks
Hurricane Maria killed 64 Puerto Ricans. Another 1,000 died because the disaster response was inadequate. Jeremy Konyndyk - December 18, 2017 On Dec. 8, 2017, the New York Times published a
No matter who replaces Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as Liberia’s president, these four challenges loom Agnieszka Paczynska - November 13, 2017 [caption id="attachment_66157" align="aligncenter" width="702"] Voting takes place in Nimba County,
Puerto Rico’s troubles are far from over. The population’s health is at risk. Jennifer Sciubba and Jeremy Youde - October 13, 2017 [caption id="attachment_64849" align="aligncenter" width="960"] On Oct. 10, Yanira Rios collects
Here are three things we can learn from public opinion data about next week’s election in Liberia Kim Yi Dionne - October 6, 2017 [caption id="attachment_64623" align="aligncenter" width="960"] An election campaign billboard for presidential
Liberia has a big election next week — and a true test of democracy in Africa’s oldest republic Robtel Pailey - October 4, 2017 [caption id="attachment_64438" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Supporters of soccer legend George Weah
Responding to Puerto Rico’s disaster is uniquely complex. But Trump is still falling short. Jeremy Konyndyk - September 29, 2017 [caption id="attachment_64261" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Marta Sostre Vazquez reacts as she
China’s ‘Belt and Road’ opens up new business in Africa — for both the U.S. and China Janet Eom - July 24, 2017 [caption id="attachment_59157" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands
The World Health Organization spends more on travel than on key diseases. That’s actually okay. Mara Pillinger - June 22, 2017 [caption id="attachment_60177" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A Liberian man walks past an
The World Health Organization just picked a new leader. These are the challenges he faces. Karen Grépin, Joshua Busby, and Jeremy Youde - June 15, 2017 [caption id="attachment_59921" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Outgoing director-general of the World Health
So far, Trump is really struggling as a chief executive David Lewis - April 27, 2017 [caption id="attachment_57402" align="aligncenter" width="960"] President Donald Trump and his daughter
When the U.S. funds global health, other countries do too Amy Patterson - March 21, 2017 [caption id="attachment_12934" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Health workers take blood samples for
Here’s how the Ebola outbreak shaped citizens’ opinions of Liberia’s government Kim Yi Dionne - January 13, 2017 [caption id="attachment_52515" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A man walks past a billboard
The sky fell on the U.S. poultry industry last year. But NAFTA and the TPP helped protect U.S. exports. Chad Bown - August 30, 2016 [caption id="attachment_45785" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Cage-free chickens forage at an
What could make Americans — and Congress — care about Zika? Joshua Busby - August 17, 2016 [caption id="attachment_45386" align="aligncenter" width="960"] The Aedes aegypti mosquito is thought
Two years ago, Ebola became a public health emergency. Here are 5 lessons for fighting Zika Amy Patterson - August 8, 2016 [caption id="attachment_40344" align="aligncenter" width="908"] People pass a an Ebola awareness
Is AFRICOM all that bad? Laura Seay - July 1, 2016 [caption id="attachment_43228" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Chadian troops participate in the closing
Mosquitoes don’t just spread the Zika virus. They may be helping an older killer reemerge. Mara Pillinger - June 16, 2016 [caption id="attachment_42185" align="aligncenter" width="960"] An Aedes aegypti mosquito is photographed
Did the IMF actually ease up on structural adjustment? Here’s what the data say. Thomas Stubbs, Lawrence King, and Alexander Kentikelenis - June 2, 2016 [caption id="attachment_41400" align="alignnone" width="960"] Protesters in the northern Greek port
6 things you need to know about Venezuela’s political and economic crisis Michael McCarthy - May 18, 2016 Venezuela is a powder keg. Once a rich country held
The World Health Organization is electing a new leader. Here’s what you need to know. Karen Grépin, Joshua Busby, and Jeremy Youde - May 12, 2016 [caption id="attachment_40344" align="aligncenter" width="908"] People pass a banner that is
Here’s why the WHO responded so differently to Zika and Ebola Amy Patterson - April 4, 2016 [caption id="attachment_38417" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Municipal workers wait before spraying insecticide
Weary professors give up, concede that Africa is a country Laura Seay and Kim Yi Dionne - April 1, 2016 [caption id="attachment_38201" align="aligncenter" width="4868"] Africa, from space. (NASA)[/caption] After years
How cronyism and lack of accountability are holding Morocco back Merouan Mekouar - March 24, 2016 [caption id="attachment_37842" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] (M'hammed Kilito)[/caption] In January, Morocco moved
What the HIV/AIDS epidemic can tell us about how to fight Zika Mark Daku - March 7, 2016 [caption id="attachment_35717" align="aligncenter" width="908"] A member of the Brazilian Air
Three lessons from Ebola can help us fight the Zika virus Maryam Deloffre - February 14, 2016 [caption id="attachment_35717" align="aligncenter" width="908"] A member of the Brazilian Air
WHO declared a public health emergency about Zika’s effects. Here are three takeaways. Mara Pillinger - February 2, 2016 [caption id="attachment_35208" align="aligncenter" width="908"] A female Aedes aegypti mosquito stings
What do citizens fear most — for the world, the nation, themselves? The answers might surprise you. Nick Vaughan-Williams and Daniel Stevens - January 11, 2016 [caption id="attachment_34252" align="aligncenter" width="1484"] Amtrak Special Operations Police patrol Union
Ebola terrified us a year ago. What did it teach us about West Africa? Ashoka Mukpo - August 7, 2015 [caption id="attachment_27936" align="aligncenter" width="1484"] Artist Stephen Doe paints an
The 5 things you need to know about MERS (and global health) Jeremy Youde - June 12, 2015 [caption id="attachment_25959" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] The hunt for the MERS virus
Why proposed WHO reforms aren’t enough to deal with the next epidemic Jeremy Youde - May 26, 2015 [caption id="attachment_25306" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Will the World Health Organization be
Four questions – and answers – about U.S. support of peacekeeping in Africa Paul Williams - May 15, 2015 [caption id="attachment_24812" align="alignnone" width="620" class="center"] A man holding Burundi's flag
As Ebola is contained, what's next for Sierra Leone? Laura Seay - April 9, 2015 [caption id="attachment_23523" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] A billboard overlooking Freetown, Sierra Leone
As Ebola is contained, what’s next for Sierra Leone? Lisa Denney - April 9, 2015 [caption id="attachment_23523" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] A billboard overlooking Freetown, Sierra Leone
Nigerians go to the polls in a tight race amid concerns about election safety, credibility Peter Lewis and Carolyn Logan - January 30, 2015 [caption id="attachment_20708" align="alignnone" width="620"] A Goodluck Jonathan supporter, wearing a
Grading the 2015 Bill and Melinda Gates letter on poverty alleviation Chris Blattman - January 23, 2015 [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="658"] Bill and Melinda Gates in Los
Doctors blame the WHO and the U.N. for failing to fight Ebola. Here's why they're wrong. Henry Farrell - January 20, 2015 [caption id="attachment_20265" align="alignnone" width="620"] Liberian Army soldiers work on a
Doctors blame the WHO and the U.N. for failing to fight Ebola. Here’s why they’re wrong. Nathan Paxton - January 20, 2015 [caption id="attachment_20265" align="alignnone" width="620"] Liberian Army soldiers work on a
Who has responsibility for Ebola? The IMF, the West, or unpleasant accounting? Chris Blattman - January 7, 2015 [caption id="attachment_19849" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] People hold up signs as they
The IMF’s influence on poor countries’ health systems – and Ebola, explained Martin McKee, Lawrence King, and Alexander Kentikelenis - January 6, 2015 [caption id="attachment_19796" align="alignnone" width="620"] A vulture flies off as others
5 things you should read before saying the IMF is blameless in the 2014 Ebola outbreak Kim Yi Dionne and Adia Benton - January 5, 2015 Last week, Chris Blattman asked in his post, “Did the
The most popular Monkey Cage posts in 2014 Kim Yi Dionne - December 31, 2014 2014 was Monkey Cage's first full calendar year at The
Did the International Monetary Fund help make the Ebola crisis? Chris Blattman - December 30, 2014 [caption id="attachment_19619" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] An Ebola sign placed in front
They know it's Christmas Laura Seay - November 17, 2014 Today marks the release of a new version of "Do
They know it’s Christmas Laura Seay - November 17, 2014 Today marks the release of a new version of "Do
The Ebola outbreak generated greater response from Republican lawmakers Lindsey Cormack - November 14, 2014 [caption id="attachment_18119" align="alignnone" width="620"] Rep. Timothy Murphy (R-Pa.) makes an
Ebola will make Americans more likely to give up civil liberties Shana Gadarian and Bethany Albertson - October 24, 2014 The emerging reaction to America’s newest case of Ebola shows
Mastodon, 'The Czar': The Week in One Song Christopher Federico - October 17, 2014 The alarm over Ebola continues, and the president appoints Ron
Mastodon, ‘The Czar’: The Week in One Song Christopher Federico - October 17, 2014 The alarm over Ebola continues, and the president appoints Ron
It's Columbus Day. Let's talk about geography (and Ebola). - October 14, 2014 [caption id="attachment_16722" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Map created by SafariBookings.com to show
It’s Columbus Day. Let’s talk about geography (and Ebola). Laura Seay and Kim Yi Dionne - October 14, 2014 [caption id="attachment_16722" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Map created by SafariBookings.com to show
Will AFRICOM’s Ebola response be watershed moment for international action on human security? Maryam Deloffre - September 29, 2014 [caption id="attachment_16301" align="alignnone" width="620"] President Obama speaks at a meeting
AFRICOM’s Ebola response and the militarization of humanitarian aid Laura Seay, Ryan McDaniel, and Kim Yi Dionne - September 25, 2014 President Obama announced last week an expanded U.S. response to