Following China and Kenya’s $5 billion trade deal, Robert I. Rotberg explores how the investment moves beyond traditional infrastructure development and increases Chinese soft power abroad with a focus on halting the illegal ivory trade.

Following President Obama’s most recent trip to Africa, it is necessary to examine the United States’ Africa policy. Noting the core interests and efforts of the Obama administration in Africa, Chen Jimin explains there is room for cooperation on the continent based upon the shared interests of China and the United Sates.

President Obama has refused to be intimidated by China’s influence in Sub-Saharan Africa, visiting the same number of African nations in June and July as his Chinese counterpart, President Xi Jinping, visited in March. As the Obama administration attempts to portray the continent as an area for investment, Robert Rotberg explains the competing interests in the region.

Obama’s recent rhetoric about China and other emerging countries’ entry into Africa has been quite encouraging and can be seen as an important step forward for future US-China cooperation in Africa, writes He Wenping.

The recent removal of Mohamed Morsi from the presidency in Egypt has indicated again that western style democracy characterized by one-person-one-vote elections is not suitable for the Arab world, at least right now.

The recent meeting between South Korean and Chinese officials was welcomed by the United States. However, all parties should remain conscious of the delicate issues at hand, including rising Japanese nationalism, these state of the Chinese economy, the stability of the Korean Peninsula.

Meeting with Mozambican President Armando Guebuza in Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping continues to cement China’s economic and trade relations with emerging economies in Africa. As China’s investment in the continent continues to increase, Professor Robert Rotberg examines how natural gas deposits in Mozambique will shape China’s future in the region.

Throughout the recent tensions on the Korean Peninsula, it is often forgot that South Korea had an active nuclear program during the 1970s under Park Chung-hee. Given the provocations of Kim Jong-un, Ted Carpenter discusses the implications of a nuclear South Korea.

Chen Jimin outlines four challenges facing the Obama administration’s foreign policy agenda over the next four years. While the United States tends to view China as a direct competitor due to its rise in power, Jimin explains that other emerging economies will also challenge the United States’ status as a hegemon.

African leaders praised President Xi Jinping’s trip to the Fifth BRICS Summit, highlighting the close ties between China and sub-Saharan Africa. Despite the warm welcome, Professor Robert Rotberg warns that Xi’s ties to autocrats could harm China’s future prospects on the continent. As Xi cracks down on internal corruption, should he also reevaluate the corrupt practices of his African peers?