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Preface -- Part I: 1. The Middle Kingdom and Dark Continent: An Essay on China, Africa, and many fault-lines / Stephen Chan -- Part II: Chinese Responses 2. Sino-African Cultural Relations: Soft Power, Cultural Statecraft and International Cultural Governance / Jerry C.Y. Liu -- 3. From Revolution to Business: China's Changing Discourses on Africa / Qing Cao -- 4. Zhuge Liang and Meng Huo: A Metaphor for Sino-African Relations / L.H.M. Ling -- 5. Back to Basics: It could be anyone and, anyway, it's all hard work / Xiaoming Huang -- Part III: African Outlooks 6. China and Africa: An African View / Patrick Mazimhaka -- 7. Competition or Partnership? China, United States and Africa -- An African View / Lopo do Nascimento, William Lyakurwa, Patrick Mazimhaka, Greg Mills, Joe Molo, Sydney Mufamadi, Michael Spicer -- 8. And what about India and Africa? The road ahead / Sumit Roy -- Afterword: The Future of China and Africa / Stephen Chan -- Contributors -- Index.

With the seeming defeat of ISIS, has jihadism disappeared from world politics? In this startling new book, Stephen Chan uncovers the ideological foundations that allow ISIS and other jihadi groups to survive, as they propagate terror by sophisticated means online and continue thrusting their spear at the West. Far from presenting simple-minded, black-clad fighters, Chan describes an elaborate process of online recruitment, which is, in its own terrible way, meaningful and thoughtful. He examines the foundations of this thought and the step-by-step methods of jihadi indoctrination, exposing the lack of IT knowledge among Western world leaders and urging the 'moderate' Islamic community in the West to challenge jihadi ideology with a courageous, non-violent ideology of its own. Without a counterideology, Chan argues, alienated Muslim youth are drawn not only to glamorised dreams of violence, but also to the pull of a totalising system of politics and theology. Spear to the West picks apart the fallacy of 'thoughtless' jihadi carnage, arguing that - dangerous and gruesome as it might be - there is more thought behind this phenomenon of destruction than meets the eye.

"The world is troubled and full of misunderstandings. It seems a new world order of fundamentalist violence and meaningless atrocity is upon us, whilst civilised instruments for cooperation and compromise are becoming increasingly ineffective. In this timely book, Stephen Chan explores the historical and philosophical roots of difference and discord in the international system. He begins with the introduction of the Westphalian system, showing how, throughout the 20th century, new states - from the Middle East, Asia and Africa - entered that system with reservations, preconditions, and great efforts to introduce new forms of concerts and congresses but without seriously challenging the international status-quo. By contrast, the 21st century has brought turmoil and change in the form of militant Islam - be it the Taleban, Al Qaeda, or ISIS - whose varied roots and fluid emergence have so far prevented the West from being able to understand and combat it. Developing Kissinger's suspicion of Saudi Arabia as an Islamic state in Westphalian dress, Chan argues that what is at stake today is not the development of a new Caliphate or an old radicalism - but the effort to supplant and replace the Westphalian system itself. This is the complex and challenging reality to which a truly modern and persuasively relevant plural international relations must now adapt. Whether it can do so remains to be seen"--

In this timely and essential book, Stephen Chan explores the political landscape of southern Africa, examining how it is poised to change and what the repercussions are likely to be across the continent. The author focuses on three countries in particular: South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia, all of which have remained interconnected since the end of colonialism and the overthrow of apartheid. Chan draws on his extensive and intimate experience to provide the definitive inside guide to this complex region and offer an insight on how the near future is likely to be a litmus test not just for this trio of countries but for all of Africa. 'If there is any book that 'explains' the tumultuous recent history of southern Africa, this is surely it: a sweeping overview that is a combination of academic detachment and an insider's account, peppered with first-hand experiences and personal knowledge of many of the region's players. For the best part of his career, Professor Chan has been in the front line, literally as well as metaphorically, of a conflict rooted in race and moulded by imperialism. Its malign legacy lives on; but the analysis and the insights in this riveting account will surely add to the understanding so essential to that legacy's resolution.' – Michael Holman, former Africa editor for the Financial Times

Morgan Tsvangirai's appointment as Zimbabwe's Prime Minister in 2009 followed many years' leadership of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trades Unions and the Movement for Democratic Change. How has that experience equipped him for high national office? Does he have the personal, intellectual and political qualities required to be President? In July 2004, as he was awaiting the verdict in his treason trial, Tsvangirai spent several days in conversation with Stephen Chan. Chan was concerned to find out if Tsvangirai was more than merely a charismatic leader of the opposition; if he had his own intellectual agenda [and] political philosophy. His questions were even-handed and astute. Discussion by discussion, Morgan Tsvangirai had become more open, more human less cautious and, paradoxically, more obviously and naturally presidential. Five years later, having reviewed the events since their discussions took place, Chan writes: I have not made a saint of him, not even an Atlas. I hope I have not criticized him too much or too unfairly. Probably no one could have done for Zimbabwe what he has. Citizen of Zimbabwe is a rare and intimate portrait of political leadership in Africa.