In Africa’s International Relations: Balancing Domestic and Global Interests, UNC Charlotte political scientist Beth Elise Whitaker and co-author John Clark argue that the external relations of African countries are shaped mainly by domestic political imperatives. Most African leaders, even those chosen through elections, face threats to their power both from within their governments and from opposition groups. To mitigate such risks, leaders cultivate international relations that help secure their hold on power. Whether negotiating loans, responding to migration, or interacting with global powers, the pursuit of regime security influences the types of external actors with whom African leaders partner and the terms of resulting relationships. Join us for a virtual presentation of Personally Speaking with Dr. Whitaker at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28 as she discusses her research. Speaker: Beth Elise Whitaker, UNC Charlotte professor in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration