Judd Devermont
@jdevermont.bsky.social
Operating Partner, Kupanda Capital | Board Member, Fraym | Senior Advisor, CSIS Africa Program | Former NSC Senior Director for African Affairs | Former National Intelligence Officer for Africa | Personal Account
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/p/on-vice-pr...
On Vice Presidents
Most U.S. vice presidents involve themselves in U.S.-Africa policy. It is not always helpful.
poststrategy.substack.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:38 PM
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/p/on-vice-pr...
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...
September 18, 2025 at 12:56 PM
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...
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-...
On Anchor States
We tried to change the "anchor state" policy. It wasn't easy.
poststrategy.substack.com
September 4, 2025 at 3:30 PM
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-...
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/p/on-electio...
On Election Statements
I disagree with Secretary Rubio's new policy on election statements. But he's not entirely wrong.
poststrategy.substack.com
August 19, 2025 at 2:28 PM
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/p/on-electio...
What a fantastic review of my friend @cthomasjamh.bsky.social’s new book on Tanzania’s army. I can’t wait to read it!
theconversation.com/tanzanias-in...
theconversation.com/tanzanias-in...
Tanzania’s independence leader Julius Nyerere built a new army fit for African liberation: how he did it
The early history of the Tanzanian army was shaped by interwoven domestic and international politics.
theconversation.com
August 15, 2025 at 9:49 AM
What a fantastic review of my friend @cthomasjamh.bsky.social’s new book on Tanzania’s army. I can’t wait to read it!
theconversation.com/tanzanias-in...
theconversation.com/tanzanias-in...
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...
July 30, 2025 at 5:17 PM
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...
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
✅ Authority
✅ Staff
✅ Resources
Most don’t get even one. I explain why in my new Substack. poststrategy.substack.com/p/on-envoys
On Envoys
We don't set up our envoys for success. We need to rethink the model.
poststrategy.substack.com
July 15, 2025 at 3:22 PM
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
✅ Authority
✅ Staff
✅ Resources
Most don’t get even one. I explain why in my new Substack. poststrategy.substack.com/p/on-envoys
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-...
www.economist.com/middle-east-...
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
www.economist.com
July 8, 2025 at 3:55 PM
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-...
www.economist.com/middle-east-...
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/p/on-initiat...
On Initiatives
There have been more than 60 U.S. initiatives on Africa since the 1990s. Few have survived.
poststrategy.substack.com
July 2, 2025 at 6:54 PM
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/p/on-initiat...
Love me some Cabo Verdean funk.
Jelivrà Bo Situaçon by Manuel Gomes on Apple Music
Song · 2017 · Duration 2:59
music.apple.com
June 14, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Love me some Cabo Verdean funk.
My latest: the debate over who meets whom, and why it paralyzes U.S.-Africa policy.
On Engagement
The debate over who should meet with whom. Why it paralyzes U.S.-Africa policy.
open.substack.com
May 30, 2025 at 11:21 AM
My latest: the debate over who meets whom, and why it paralyzes U.S.-Africa policy.
Gnonnas Pedro is blowing my mind. Analog Africa never misses.
Gnonnas Pedro & His Dadjes Band - Roi De L'Agbadja Moderne 1974-1983 (Analog Africa No.40), by Analog Africa
16 track album
analogafrica.bandcamp.com
May 20, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Gnonnas Pedro is blowing my mind. Analog Africa never misses.
Thanks to @semafor.com @yinka.bsky.social for sharing my work on tracking African leader meetings in the White House. www.semafor.com/article/05/1...
Analysis: Gauging US presidents’ Africa policy effectiveness
White House historical data shows the more a US president engages with African leaders the more significant his policy implementation, according to former presidential aide.
www.semafor.com
May 19, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Thanks to @semafor.com @yinka.bsky.social for sharing my work on tracking African leader meetings in the White House. www.semafor.com/article/05/1...
Reposted by Judd Devermont
“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...
Who wins? @jdevermont.bsky.social crunches the data:
poststrategy.substack.com/p/on-the-ova...
On the Oval Office
We ranked 12 U.S. Presidents on their Africa policies. The results are surprising.
poststrategy.substack.com
May 15, 2025 at 3:52 PM
“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...
Who wins? @jdevermont.bsky.social crunches the data:
poststrategy.substack.com/p/on-the-ova...
We ranked 12 U.S. presidents on their Africa policies. The results are surprising. New substack post: poststrategy.substack.com/p/on-the-ova...
May 15, 2025 at 11:20 AM
We ranked 12 U.S. presidents on their Africa policies. The results are surprising. New substack post: poststrategy.substack.com/p/on-the-ova...
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...
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...
President Biden Hosts a Bilateral Meeting with President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço of Angola
YouTube video by The Biden White House
www.youtube.com
May 14, 2025 at 12:17 PM
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...
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...
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...
That’s why we made rebalancing toward urban hubs part of the U.S. strategy toward Africa.
africacenter.org/spotlight/af...
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.
africacenter.org
May 13, 2025 at 12:45 PM
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...
That’s why we made rebalancing toward urban hubs part of the U.S. strategy toward Africa.
africacenter.org/spotlight/af...
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/pub/poststra...
On Strategies
I wrote President Biden's Africa Strategy. What went wrong?
open.substack.com
May 9, 2025 at 11:04 AM
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/pub/poststra...