Africa-US Relations: Strategic Encounters Edited by Donald Rotchild and Edmond J. Keller From the Preface This volume had its genesis in intellectual exchanges between its editors over the past three years about the need to consider Africa-US relations, particularly as they relate to the concept of "security," in the early stages of the twenty-first century. This is an era characterized by profound economic, social, political, cultural, and technological changes taking place on a global scale – an era in which much scholarly rethinking of the meaning of security is occurring. No longer can security be thought of simply in geostrategic terms. Instead, the concept must be broadened to include a human dimension, that is, "human security". To be sure, the geostrategic aspect of security continues to be a legitimate concern for scholars and policymakers alike; yet, it is necessary that this conceptualization be complemented by a perspective that centers on personal well-being. In a very real way, state security is dependent on human security – on whether citizens feel personally secure and protected. The concept of human security incorporates the assumption that such issues as poverty, the spread of communicable diseases, environmental degradation, underdevelopment and economic crisis are critically important to all of humankind. The chapters in this volume reflect this thinking. […]