iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Judd Devermont @jdevermont.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

I wanted to grapple honestly with the criticism that there is too much lecturing in U.S. policy toward Africa. My conclusion: it is right, but there's also a lot wrong with the critique too.https://poststrategy.substack.com/p/on-lecturing

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Judd Devermont @jdevermont.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

I have been building analytic tools with AI, translating elite intelligence tradecraft for the modern era. Jerry Laurienti and I used AI to conduct a key assumptions check on African responses to the Iran shock for @semafor.com www.semafor.com/article/04/2...

semafor.com

View: Faulty assumptions leave Africa unprepared for a prolonged Iran shock

The continent should focus on pursuing greater regional integration and diversification, two experts argue.

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Judd Devermont @jdevermont.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

I am convinced that sanctions are useful, but only when tied to specific policy goals and paired with active diplomacy. Despite the temptation, we need to resist treating the imposition or removal of sanctions as bold or decisive. They are not.

poststrategy.substack.com

On Sanctions

Sanctions are poor substitutes for strategy. Why are they so popular?

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Judd Devermont @jdevermont.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

I wanted to launch a big initiative on urbanization in Africa. I failed before I started. poststrategy.substack.com/p/on-urbaniz...

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Judd Devermont @jdevermont.bsky.social · 24/02/2026

U.S. policy toward Sub-Saharan Africa has become increasingly entangled with the Near East. In my latest, I share where we went astray and how to restore some balance in our approach. open.substack.com/pub/poststra...

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Judd Devermont @jdevermont.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

My latest substack post explains why U.S. policymakers ask for less time, attention, and resources for Africa — and what are the consequences. open.substack.com/pub/poststra...

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Judd Devermont @jdevermont.bsky.social · 27/01/2026

I really enjoyed this conversation about the future of U.S.-Africa relations. We will need to start over, return to first principles, and build anew. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...

podcasts.apple.com

Africa and the New World Order: U.S. Pulls Back and China Moves Forward

Podcast Episode · The China in Africa Podcast · 01/27/2026 · 50m

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Judd Devermont @jdevermont.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

The vice presidency is a force multiplier—and a minefield—in U.S.-Africa policy. My latest substack examines when VP engagement helps and when it hurts. poststrategy.substack.com/p/on-vice-pr...

poststrategy.substack.com

On Vice Presidents

Most U.S. vice presidents involve themselves in U.S.-Africa policy. It is not always helpful.

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Judd Devermont @jdevermont.bsky.social · 18/09/2025

Since 1960, U.S. presidents have mentioned Africa in their speeches to the UN General Assembly. Only a few have said anything meaningful. My latest analyzing all 50 speeches -- from Eisenhower to Trump. poststrategy.substack.com/p/on-un-spee...

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Judd Devermont @jdevermont.bsky.social · 04/09/2025

For decades, U.S. Africa policy leaned on a few “anchor states.” That model has broken down. My latest Substack post on how we struggled to broaden our engagement. poststrategy.substack.com/p/on-anchor-...

poststrategy.substack.com

On Anchor States

We tried to change the "anchor state" policy. It wasn't easy.

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Judd Devermont @jdevermont.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

I drafted, edited, or approved U.S. statements on 13 out of 32 African elections between 2021 and 2024. In my new substack post, I explain what we need to do to get it right. poststrategy.substack.com/p/on-electio...

poststrategy.substack.com

On Election Statements

I disagree with Secretary Rubio's new policy on election statements. But he's not entirely wrong.

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Judd Devermont @jdevermont.bsky.social · 30/07/2025

When I served as President Biden’s Senior Director for African Affairs at the National Security Council, I had more than a few difficult meetings over whether, and how, to cut foreign assistance. My reflections here: poststrategy.substack.com/p/on-foreign...

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Judd Devermont @jdevermont.bsky.social · 15/07/2025

U.S. envoys on Africa need: ✅ Authority ✅ Staff ✅ Resources Most don’t get even one. I explain why in my new Substack. poststrategy.substack.com/p/on-envoys

poststrategy.substack.com

On Envoys

We don't set up our envoys for success. We need to rethink the model.

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Judd Devermont @jdevermont.bsky.social · 08/07/2025

The Economist included data from my substack, Post Strategy, on Oval Office meetings with African leaders. I hope folks will subscribe -- I publish every two weeks: poststrategy.substack.com www.economist.com/middle-east-...

economist.com

Donald Trump’s approach to Africa is very, well, African

What a meeting with five leaders says about his administration’s interest in the continent

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Judd Devermont @jdevermont.bsky.social · 02/07/2025

In my latest substack post, I explain why a small handful of U.S. initiatives toward Africa have staying power while most just fade away. poststrategy.substack.com/p/on-initiat...

poststrategy.substack.com

On Initiatives

There have been more than 60 U.S. initiatives on Africa since the 1990s. Few have survived.

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Reposted by Judd Devermont

Ryan Musser @ryanmusser.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

“It’s all in the numbers: presidents who meet with more African leaders launch more initiatives, introduce more policies, & engage more Africans on global issues. Everything flows from the Oval Office.” Who wins? @jdevermont.bsky.social crunches the data: poststrategy.substack.com/p/on-the-ova...

poststrategy.substack.com

On the Oval Office

We ranked 12 U.S. Presidents on their Africa policies. The results are surprising.

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Judd Devermont @jdevermont.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

We ranked 12 U.S. presidents on their Africa policies. The results are surprising. New substack post: poststrategy.substack.com/p/on-the-ova...

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Judd Devermont @jdevermont.bsky.social · 14/05/2025

New Substack Post Teaser: We ranked 12 U.S. presidents on their Africa policies. The results are surprising. Subscribe to read all about when the post drops tomorrow. poststrategy.substack.com  www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsNx...

youtube.com

President Biden Hosts a Bilateral Meeting with President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço of Angola

YouTube video by The Biden White House

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Judd Devermont @jdevermont.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

Urbanization is not just shifting Africa’s security landscape, it is fundamentally re-ordering politics, business, and societies. That’s why we made rebalancing toward urban hubs part of the U.S. strategy toward Africa. africacenter.org/spotlight/af...

africacenter.org

Africa’s Unprecedented Urbanization is Shifting the Security Landscape – Africa Center

As Africa urbanizes at a record pace, security policies will need to adjust to the changing types of threats in urban versus rural settings.

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Judd Devermont @jdevermont.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

Last week I posted my first substack on U.S. strategies toward Africa. What worked and what didn’t — including the one I wrote for President Biden. open.substack.com/pub/poststra...

open.substack.com

On Strategies

I wrote President Biden's Africa Strategy. What went wrong?

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