Introduction : understanding Africa's place in world politics / Ian Taylor and Paul Williams -- The contending currents in United States involvement in Sub-Saharan Africa / James J. Hentz -- Britain and Africa after the Cold War : beyond damage limitation? / Paul Williams -- France's policy towards Africa : continuity or change? / Daniela Kroslak -- The "all-weather friend"? : Sino-African interaction in the twenty-first century / Ian Taylor -- Russia and Africa : moving in the right direction? / Vladimir Shubin -- Japan-Africa relations : patterns and prospects / Scarlett Cornelissen -- Canada and Africa : activist aspirations in straitened circumstances / David Black -- the European Union's external relations with Africa after the Cold War : aspects of continuity and change / Stephen R. Hurt -- The international financial institutions' relations with Africa : insights from the issue of representation and voice / Caroline Thomas -- From Congo to Congo : United Nations peacekeeping in Africa / Adekeye Adebajo.