Main work related to United States-South Africa bilateral relations
Doctoral Thesis
University of South Africa (UNISA), Pretoria, 2011 Thesis: Assessing Asymmetry in International Politics: US-South African Relations 1994-2008
Peer Reviewed Publications
Van Wyk, J.A., & Firsing, S., 2019. ‘South Africa’s Nuclear Diplomacy during the Zuma Presidency’ in Foreign policy, change and the Zuma years. South African foreign policy review. Volume 3. Africa Institute of South Africa (AISA): Pretoria.
Firsing, S. & Masters, L., 2015. ‘South African Foreign Policy and the West: The Art of Foreign Policy Balancing’ in South African Foreign Policy Review Volume 2. Institute for Global Dialogue/AISA: Pretoria.
Firsing, S., & Williams, O., 2013. ‘Increased Chinese and American Defense Involvement in Africa,’ Defense & Security Analysis.’ Vol 29, No 2.
Firsing, S., 2012. ‘The Expansion of US-South Africa Defense Relations.’ Defence Studies. Vol. 12, No. 2.
Firsing, S., 2012. ‘Asymmetry as context: the rollercoaster of South Africa-US relations post 1994.’ South African Journal of International Affairs, Vol. 19, No. 1.
Firsing, S., 2012. ‘South Africa, the United States and the Fight against Islamic Extremism.’ Democracy and Security, Vol. 8, No 1.
Firsing, S., 2009. U.S. Foreign Policy Towards Apartheid South Africa, 1948-1994: Conflict of Interest by Alex Thomson. Reviewed in Politikon: South African Journal of Political Studies. December. Vol. 36, No 3.
Other Publications
Firsing, S. 2024. “US-South Africa relations are strained , but metals and minerals might be a soothing balm.” London School of Economics and Political Science. Africa@LSE Blog. 24 September.
Firsing, S., 2024. “South Africa is expanding its space portfolio and has a growing list of partners.” London School of Economics and Political Science. Africa@LSE Blog. 28 August.
Firsing, S., 2024. “America’s African Balancing Act.” National Interest. 27 March.
Firsing, S., 2024. “Echoes Across Continents: The Political Landscapes of the U.S. and South Africa.” International Policy Digest. 25 March.
Firsing, S., 2024. ‘Understanding America’s Complicated Relationship with Africa.’ International Policy Digest. 01 March.
Firsing, S., 2023. ‘America’s Deep Reliance on Valuable Minerals.’ International Policy Digest. 21 October.
Firsing, S., 2023. ‘Does South Africa have to choose between the US and BRICS?’ London School of Economics and Political Science. Africa@LSE Blog. 19 October.
Firsing, S., 2016. ‘What America’s Next President Needs to Know about Africa.’ National Interest. 18 September.
Firsing, S., 2015. ‘South Africa and Africa’s Place in America’s National Security Strategy.’ International Policy Digest. 05 May.
Firsing, S., 2015. ‘The World of America, according to BRICS.’ The Daily Maverick. 20 April.
Firsing, S., 2014. ‘US-Africa Leaders Summit: Changes now and to come.’ South African Institute of International Affairs. 30 July.
Firsing, S., 2014. ‘The US-Africa 2014 Leaders Summit: Africa to take centre stage in Washington.’ Institute for Global Dialogue. 20 May.
Firsing, S., 2014. ‘The 2014 Nuclear Security Summit and US-SA cooperation.’ SABC News. 16 February.
Firsing, S., 2013. ‘How African Youth View the United States.’ International Policy Digest. 04 December.
Firsing, S., 2013. ‘Personal diplomacy didn't prevent straight-talking.’ IOL News. 10 December.
Firsing, S., 2013. ‘Obama’s Africa tour momentum continues despite one large looming question mark.’ Institute for Global Dialogue. 19 September.
Firsing, S., 2013. ‘United States Immigration Reform: What does it mean for Africa?’ Institute for Global Dialogue. Policy Brief. September.
Firsing, S. 2013. ‘Special Report: Why Obama’s visit to Africa matters.’ South African Institute for International Affairs, 25 June.
Firsing, S., 2013. ‘Back to Africa.’ Financial Mail Magazine. 09-15 May.
Firsing, S., 2013. ‘The Future of Education in Africa: Lessons from Star Trek?’ The Daily Maverick. 24 May.
Firsing, S., 2013. ‘South Africa in the BRICS: What's Next?" Forbes Africa. May.
Firsing, S., 2013. ‘Obama’s 2013 Africa Visit.’ International Policy Digest. 10 April.
Firsing, S., 2013. ‘Do the US and South Africa have a role in resolving DRC conflict?’ Defenceweb. 08 April.
Firsing, S., 2013. ‘South Africa should be careful not to put all of its eggs in one basket.’ IOL News. 02 April.
Firsing, S., 2013. ‘BRICS, the United States and Africa.’ International Policy Digest. 06 February.
Firsing, S., 2012. ‘SPECIAL REPORT: Hillary Clinton in South Africa – Unpacking US-South Africa relations.’ South African Institute of International Affairs. 31 July.
Firsing, S., 2012. ‘A New ‘Rough Patch’ in U.S.-South Africa Relations.’ International Policy Digest. 04 May.
Firsing, S., 2011. ‘South Africa’s nuclear dismantlement continues to astonish’ London School of Economics and Political Science. IDEAS International Affairs at LSE. 08 December.
Firsing, S., 2011. ‘USA, RSA and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict.’ Africa Consultancy Intelligence. 02 November
MEDIA/EXPERT INTERVIEWS & INSIGHT
Eurasia Review, 2022. Africa must be guided by Chernobyl disaster. October 11.
Al-Jazeera, 2021. Obituary- Desmond Tutu: South Africa’s ‘moral compass.’ December 27.
In Depth News, 2019. Infrastructure Development Key to Africa’s growth. April 24.
AFP, 2017. Obama leaves symbolic legacy in Africa. January 17
Soergel, A. 2016. Sub-Saharan Africa bleeds skilled labor as brain drain continues. US News & World Report. October 7.
Al-Jazeera, 2015. ‘Karibu’ Obama: Kenya welcomes US president.’ Television interview. 25 July.
SABC News, 2014. ‘Dr Scott Firsing and US politics,’ Live News @ 8pm. 08 November.
Sputnik, 2014. If Obama says he is going to do something, he has to back it up. Radio Burning Point. 20 October.
Pillay, V., 2014. ‘How the US and South Africa became friends again.’ Mail and Guardian. 15 September.
Reinl, J., 2014. ‘US holds summit with African heads of state.’ Al-Jazeera. 03 August.
Sputnik, 2014. ‘Presidential lawsuit: A Soap Opera for US voters?’ Radio Burning Point. 28 July.
PowerFM, 2013. ‘Mandela’s relations with the United States.’ 06 December.
Xinhua, 2013. ‘Council helps increase China investment in Africa.’ 20 August.
Spector, B., 2013. ‘Just practising: Joint US-SA military training exercise in Eastern Cape winds up.’ The Daily Maverick. 05 August.
Klomegah, K.K., 2013. ‘Financial Policy: Why Russia is Making Few Inroads in Africa.’ African Executive. 17 July.
Eliseev, A., 2013. ‘Obama’s Africa Visit Ends.’ Eyewitness News. 03 July.
Reinl, J., 2013. ‘Obama’s Africa trip bolsters US interests.’ Al Jazeera. 02 July.
CNBC Africa, 2013. ‘Obama’s business delegation pledges $9 million for West Africa’s infrastructure.’ 02 July.
CNBC Africa, 2013. ‘Reflections of President Obama's South African Visit.’ 02 July.
Conway-Smith, E., 2013. ‘Obama in Africa: China 1, US 0.’ Global Post. 01 July.
CCTV, 2013. ‘Obama visits the Rainbow Nation.’ 29 June.
Ncube, N., 2013. ‘Interview: Booming China-Africa trade, a real wakeup call for U.S. to take Africa seriously: expert.’ Xinhua. 29 June.
CNBC Africa, 2013. ‘Dynamics of US and SA Trade Relations.’ 27 June.
BBC World News, 2013. ‘US President Barack Obama visits Africa.’ 27 June.
SAIIA, 2013. ‘President Obama’s Whirlwind Visit to Africa.’ Video Interview. 24 June.
SAFM, 2013. ‘Obama’s upcoming African tour.’ 07 June.
CNBC Africa, 2013. ‘Obama Coming to South Africa.’ 21 May.
ENCA, 2013. ‘Obama’s upcoming tour to Senegal, Tanzania and SA.’ 21 May.
Ncube, N., 2013. ‘Interview: Chinese firms play key role in skills development, job creation in Africa.’ Xinhua. 17 May.
CNBC Africa, 2013. ‘Implications for a second term for Barack Obama’ 10 May.
SABC News, 2013. ‘US-South Africa relations.’ 10 minute TV interview at 7pm. 24 April.
Bauer, N., Evans, S., 2013. ‘Boston bombs: SA runners remain in US after ‘act of terror’. 17 April.
Radio Islam International, 2013. ‘Interview w/ Dr Scott Firsing on Boston bombing.’ 17 April.
CNBC Africa, 2013. ‘South Africa-US relations with Dr Scott Firsing.’ 06 February.
CNBC Africa, 2012. ‘Dr Scott Firsing on the implications of a second term for Obama.’ 06 November.
Voice of Russia, 2012. ‘What to expect from the US elections.’ 04 November.
SABC News Morning Live, 2012. ‘American elections, interview with Dr Scott Firsing.’ 02 November.
ENCA, 2012. ‘US economic growth vital to SA.’ 15 October.
Klomegah, K.K., 2012. ‘US-Africa: Working for Sustainable Partnership.’ 05 September.
Zhaokun, W., 2012. ‘US eyes potential of Africa.’ Global Times. 13 August.
CCTV, 2012. ‘Storm over Hillary Clinton’s Africa trip.’ 12 August.
Ncube, N., 2012. ‘Interview: China, U.S. need to cooperate on key issues in Africa to ensure "win-win situation": expert.’ English.news.cn. 08 August.
CNBC Africa, 2012. ‘US-South Africa trade and diplomatic relations.’ Political Exchange. 12 August.
Associated Press, 2012. ‘SA stops oil imports from Iran.’ 01 August.
CNBC Africa, 2012. ‘US-SA relations.’ Beyond Markets. 06 August.
Spector, B., 2012. ‘Africa & the War on Terror.’ The Daily Maverick. 15 June.
CCTV, 2012. ‘2012 Nuclear Security Summit.’ 7pm News. March.
SPEAKING INVITATIONS/CONFERENCES
US-Africa Business Summit- Corporate Council on Africa, Chicago, 2013
US Embassy Pretoria- ‘Overview of US-South Africa relations,’ 2012
Institute for Security Studies- ‘Progress on Securing Africa’s Nuclear Resources: an Experts’ Workshop,‘ 2012
University of Pretoria- ‘American foreign policy and US-Africa relations,’ 2012
Department of Education (SA government) and National Youth Development Agency, 2012
YPIA/YPFP Conversation with American Diplomats’, 2011
1st Annual US-SA Defense Cooperation Symposium,’ Cape Town, 2010
HONORS/AWARDS
Committee Member, African Aerospace and Defense Youth Development Program, Waterkloof AFB, South Africa, 2014
Reader/Selection Committee, US President Barack Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), Washington DC, USA, 2014
Judge, Education/Training/Skills Development, American Chamber of Commerce (Amcham) in South Africa, 2013
US Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) delegate- US President Barack Obama Africa tour, Johannesburg, 2013
