To the Point
Barack Obama’s Outreach to Africa
The first African-American president waited until his second term to hold his first African summit. But this week, he hosted almost 50 African heads of state and American business leaders, hoping the US can catch up in the world’s last great emerging market.
By Warren Olney • • 52m ListenBarack Obama hosted almost 50 African heads of state and American business leaders, hoping the US can catch up in the world’s last great emerging market. The President’s “extraordinary event” featured 37 billion dollars in promised development and investment. It was also about security—internal and global. Will American business make good on promised investment? Can the US compete with China’s economic foothold? Also, the Obama White House is considering humanitarian airdrops for Christians and the Yezidi in Iraq who are dying of heat and thirst on a mountain. And, Vladimir Putin is fighting back.
Banner Image: U.S. President Barack Obama speaks at a news conference at the close of the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit at the U.S. State Department in Washington August 6, 2014. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
In this episode
3 storiesObama Considering Air Drops or Air Strikes in Iraq
The Obama White House is considering humanitarian airdrops for Christians and the Yezidi in Iraq—some 40,000 people dying of heat and thirst on a mountain after death threats from the Islamic State. Air strikes have not been ruled out.
Read the story7 minCan US Business Thrive in Africa?
Africa is more than a troubled continent. It is vast and diverse, with 6 of the world’s 10 fastest-growing economies. Can the US get on board? Does it want to? This week’s Africa summit was designed to reassure both African leaders and American business.
Read the story34 minRussia Imposes Sanctions and Extends Snowden Residency
The US and Europe have imposed increasingly deeper economic sanctions on Russia because of perceived aggression in Ukraine. Now, President Vladimir Putin is responding with sanctions of his own. Russia today banned some imports from the US and Europe and extended Edward Snowden’s permission to stay in the country for three more years.
Read the story9 min
