U.S. policy toward Africa has been on autopilot for much of the past four years, following a laundry list of good intentions that established priorities for Africa’s well-being and U.S. security interests. However, a truly sustainable and forward-looking U.S. policy toward Africa should refocus attention on Africa’s opportunity as an economic powerhouse of the future, a strategy that combines both domestic self-interest and an opportunity to help Africa move forward. more

How can Africa prevent the exportation of its educated citizens? This paper attempts to answer this very question through examination of what is meant by “brain drain,” followed by analyzing the hard facts, significance and consequences for the continent. more

A new survey finds that Afghanistan and Pakistan are on surprisingly similar demographic paths. Demographer Elizabeth Leahy Madsen says this is good news for Afghanistan, but not for Pakistan, where efforts to meet family planning needs have fallen short. more

Unprecedented numbers of young people in weak and war-torn African nations, in short, tend to be characterized by the gap between what most youth need and what governments and international donors think they need, not to mention what they actually get. more