The Classicist: Understanding Chinese Strategy

Great political changes—revolutions and coups, democratic breakdowns and transitions—are often marked by dates when history turned. The “third wave” of global democratization is replete with such moments. It began in the early hours of 25 April 1974, when left-wing military officers in Portugal, fed up with corruption, stagnation, and debilitating wars to hang on to the country’s African colonies, overthrew the 48-year-old dictatorship. 

Democratic nations remain the foundation of a stable, prosperous, and humane world.

This policy brief examines how the United States can better align diplomatic, commercial, security, development, and educational tools with the priorities and institutional conditions of African partners. Focusing on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, and Djibouti, it develops a framework for more coherent, context-sensitive engagement that strengthens long-term partnerships, improves policy coordination, and produces more durable strategic and developmental outcomes for both sides.