美國對非洲外交政策的回顧與展望

Examination and Evaluation of U.S. Foreign Policy Toward Africa

在美國的對外關係方面，撒哈拉沙漠以按的非洲大陸算是華盛頓較為不重視的地區。除了傳統上缺乏的殖民歷史淵源之外，地緣政治和戰略價值的相對缺乏，亦是主要的原因。儘管如此，在冷戰期間為了和蘇聯進行全球性的意識形態對抗，美國對非洲的外交政策可以說是一種選擇性的介入。冷戰結束後，非洲再度被邊緣，美國逐漸退出介入。柯林頓政府後期，在看到這個地區的族群衝突及動亂不安後，美國又再度重申其對這個地區的承諾。布希政府執政初期並未將非洲納入其全球戰略佈局的考量，但在九一一恐怖攻擊事件後，部份非洲國家與恐怖組織的曖昧關係及人口中有高比例伊欺蘭教信徒的事實，迫使布希總統必順重新正視這個地區。

In the realm of U.S. external relations, sub-Saharan Africa has been a region of lesser importance. In addition to the lack of a historical colonial tradition, the relative absence of a geopolitics and strategic value also helps to explain such an orientation. In spite of these , the U.S. adopted a policy of selective engagement towards Africa when it was involved in the global ideological competition with the former Soviet Union during the Cold War period. With the end of the Cold War, Africa was again marginalized end the U.S. pursued a policy of disengagement. Towards the end of the Clinton administration, witnessing the ethnic conflicts and social instability, the U.S. reiterated its commitment to the region. With the beginning of the Bush government, Africa was not incorporated into its global strategic consideration. However, after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the fact that some African countries maintain clandestine connections with terrorist organizations and/or have high a percentage of Islamic population has prompted President Bush to refocus his administration's attention on this region.