Changing the Status Quo in US-Zimbabwe Relations

Since gaining independence in 1980 and changing its name from Rhodesia to Zimbabwe, this southern African nation has been plagued with political violence and economic instability. Corrupt and incompetent officials, mostly from the ruling ZANU-PF party, have caused bouts of rampant inflation which turned into hyperinflation, wrecking what had once been a thriving economy. After a period of relative economic stability from 2009 to 2016, the economy appears once again to be in a tailspin. The overthrow of long-time leader Robert Mugabe in 2017 was seen initially as ushering in a new era, but elections in 2018 and 2023—were flawed by official intimidation and corruption. The United States is not positioned to have a significant impact on Zimbabwe’s future trajectory. However, it should take a more clear-eyed approach to do what little it can given the current global context. At a minimum, this requires the production of a realistic strategic plan, which in turn requires important strategic choices to be made, including what is the winning aspiration being sought in US-Zimbabwe relations.