After The Cold War The U.s. Africa Policy

At the second half of the 20th century,Africa had completed the task of decolonization, national independence and the realization of the great cause of national liberation.With the collapse of the Soviet Union,the Cold War,especially the recession of Russia power, the competition between the United States and the Soviet Union for hegemony in Africa had come to an end.For the establishment of a US-dominated world order,the United States focused on the developing Asia besides Europe.Africa's status and role in the foreign policy in the United States declined and became the "marginalized" area. However,since early 1993,when Clinton entered the White House,the African situation and the relationship between the United States and Africa have undergone major changes.After the Cold War,the U.S.policies of successive Governments toward Africa have different emphases.The elder Bush's focus was to occupy the position left by the former Soviet Union and the implementation of the "democratization".The Clinton Administration stressed development of relations between the United States and Africa through trade.After Junior Bush took office,the United States shifted the focus to counter-terrorism and energy.These policies have four common characteristics:the service of the U.S.global strategy,pragmatism,choice of priority countries,flexible and diverse policy instruments.The current changes in U.S.policy towards Africa can be mainly summed up as follows:important role of Africa in the United States' global strategy,the focus shift of the global security strategy to the maintenance of the interests of the United States in all regions of the world;focus of economy in Africa,the combination of aid and trade policy,and no involvement in African conflicts if possible.The policy adjustment of the United States to Africa is one important part in the post-Cold War global strategy pursued by the United States.It is designed to protect its political and economic interests,to realize the African peace,stability and prosperity under the control of the United States so to maintain services to the U.S.superpower status.The policy change has covered a long time,great intensity,wide scope,which will have a far-reaching impact on the relations between the United States and Africa,the great power rivalry in Africa,as well as the development of Africa itself.This paper,mainly through the description of the origins of US-Africa relations,discusses the post-Cold War U.S.policy adjustment and its reasons,summarizes the real intention of the United States of Africa for the global strategy,and finally predicts the perspectives of the US-Africa relations.