Todd has appeared in:
Media Highlights
Washington post profile
A thriller writer’s challenge: Make U.S. policy in Africa a page turner, Washington Post, front page Style section, September 1, 2014
feature article
Missing in Africa: How Obama Failed to Engage an Increasingly Important Continent, Foreign Affairs, October 2012
Tv appearance sample
US Ramps up response to spiraling Ebola outbreak, The Cycle, MSNBC, September 15, 2014
Radio Appearance Sample
‘The Golden Hour’: A Conversation with Todd Moss, The Diane Rehm Show, NPR, September 16, 2014
In The Press: Full List
Recent Articles By Todd
Why the Climate Panic about Africa is Wrong, Foreign Policy, December 6, 2021
U.S. Push for a Global Clean Energy Transition Can Start in Africa, Council on Foreign Relations, May 28, 2021
The US can still promote democracy in Africa, World Politics Review, February 12, 2021
12 reasons why gas should be part of Africa's clean energy future, World Economic Forum, July 23, 2020
A post-COVID agenda for a 'zombie-free' recovery of Africa's power markets, Sustainable Energy for All, July 21, 2020
Five mistakes we’re making in the fight against global energy poverty, World Economic Forum, November 5, 2019
California’s Blackout is Africa’s Everyday Reality, OneZero, October 14, 2019
Five Myths about Energy Poverty, Scientific American, October 13, 2019
Global Energy Inequality Goes Deeper than Bitcoin, OneZero, September 10, 2019
Africa’s Cities Are About to Boom – and Maybe Explode, Bloomberg, July 25, 2019
As global energy access improves, cost and reliability lag, Axios, July 2, 2019
Scaling Power for Global Prosperity, Stanford Social Innovation Review, Spring 2019
Global energy programs expand access but aim too low on goals, Axios, April 1, 2019
More affordable electricity would transform Africa. Here’s how to get there, CNN Business, October 18, 2018
Can Nigeria solve its energy crisis? Foreign Affairs, September 25, 2018
The United States should push for a genuine democratic transition in Zimbabwe, Washington Post, August 22, 2018
Zimbabwe's Upcoming Election is a Political Charade, Foreign Affairs, July 25, 2018
Even before the vote, Zimbabwe's election is not credible, Mail & Guardian, July 24, 2018
Congress gives US energy diplomacy a turbocharge, Forbes, July 20, 2018
Development finance is good for American taxpayers, national security, and the world's poorest, Devex, February 28, 2018
Don't whitewash Mugabe's henchman, Washington Post, February 1, 2018
Mugabe is a Goner, but his Looting Machine is Here to Stay, Foreign Policy, November 21, 2017
The Meaning of Robert Mugabe's Stunning Non-Resignation, The Atlantic, November 19, 2017
After Mugabe, the last thing Zimbabwe needs is another dictator, Washington Post, November 16, 2017
Robert Mugabe's Inner Circle Implodes, The Atlantic, November 15, 2017
It’s time for international election monitors to start doing their job, Washington Post, November 15, 2017
The Warlord and the Ambassador: A review of Dante Paradiso’s “The Embassy,” Huffington Post, February 15, 2017
Gambia Stands Up, Foreign Affairs, February 2, 2017
What does Trump Mean for Power Africa? Forbes, January 5, 2017
Why bond notes can’t save Zimbabwe, Daily Maverick, December 12, 2016
Rapid Cuba thaw doesn’t spell end of the embargo, USA Today, October 28, 2016
Where Should Your Thriller Hero Go Next? Writers Digest, September 12, 2016
Cuba Stole Americans’ Property; Will the U.S. Sell them Out? Miami Herald, August 18, 2016
The Good Lobbyist, Huffington Post, June 2, 2016
Saudi Arabia Can Cash In, U.S. News & World Report, May 16, 2015
Cruise ship diplomacy is not helping ordinary Cubans, Washington Examiner, May 12, 2016
Cuba’s charming, tragic time warp, USA Today, March 21, 2016
Five tough questions before Obama’s historic trip to Cuba, FoxNews.com, March 17, 2016
A Warning About Writing Novels that Chase the News Cycle, JaneFriedman.com, March 1, 2016
A Long Strange Trip, Murder is Everywhere, November 19, 2015
Two Steps Backwards for Zimbabwe, Foreign Affairs, November 14, 2015
When a Dictator Falls, Huffington Post, October 23, 2015
How to Write a Novel and Keep Your Day Job, Medium, October 14, 2015
Calling George Clooney: Here’s a role with a social scientist as the action hero! Washington Post, September 15, 2015
Robert Mugabe is again driving Zimbabwe over the cliff, Africa Times, September 11, 2015
Obama’s Missed Africa Opportunity, CNN.com, July 22, 2015
Ominous Warning Signs Resurface in Zimbabwe, Foreign Policy, June 3, 2015
What Marketing Support Looks Like at a Big 5 Publisher, JaneFriedman.com, May 28, 2015
Mugabe’s New Best Friends in Brussels, Foreign Policy, March 3, 2015
Five reasons Nigeria’s poll delay is fishy, The Punch, February 11, 2015
The Africa I Know Isn’t The Africa In The Headlines Today, Goats and Soda, NPR.org, December 20, 2014
How I Got Addicted to Africa (and Wrote a Thriller About It), The Daily Beast, September 9, 2014
Let There Be Light: Washington’s Ambitious Plan to Help Africa Generate Electricity, Foreign Affairs, September 2, 2014
Closing Africa’s Energy Poverty Gap, GE Ideas Lab, August 8, 2014
Africa More Important than Ever, USA Today, July 31, 2014
Obama should embrace Africa’s democratic standard-bearers, Al-Jazeera, July 31, 2014
Building a Think-and-Do Tank, Stanford Social Innovation Review, July 11, 2014
Seven Graphics that Explain Energy Poverty and How the US Can Do Much More, ONE Campaign, July 3, 2014
Electrifying Africa now up to Chairman Menendez, The Hill, May 27, 2014
Why solar lamps are the cash transfers of energy poverty, Devex, January 6, 2014
Don’t let Robert Mugabe win, Politico, July 30, 2013
The Final Frontier, Foreign Policy, March 26, 2013
Recent TV/Radio Appearances
Climate panic about Africa is wrong, CNN, December 7, 2021
South Africa and Covid-19 travel bans, NPR/WXXI, November 30, 2021
US bureaucracy and the situation in Afghanistan, NPR/WXXI, September 2, 2021
Power Hungry podcast with Robert Bryce, February 2021
A Zombie-free recovery, CSIS Into Africa podcast, October 2020
How Kodak received its $765 million government loan, NPR/WXXI, August 4, 2020
Decarbonizing the power sector, CSIS Energy and Climate podcast, March 30, 2020.
Why climate change means Africa needs more energy, not less, Atlantic Live, December 4, 2019
Avoiding the Resource Curse: Guyana’s Big Chance, World Affairs Podcast with Ray Suarez, September 17, 2019
Breaking the natural resource curse, Resources Radio, April 23, 2019
Energy for Growth, Breakthrough Dialogues, April 22, 2019
How energy poverty is stifling job growth, UN Dispatch, February 25, 2019
Zimbabwe’s president channels Mugabe in violent crackdown on protests, Talk Media News, January 17, 2019
Zimbabwe fuel riots, Newsday, BBC World Service, January 14, 2019
US Senate Testimony: Zimbabwe situation still precarious, Voice of America TV, December 7, 2018
Energy for Growth, CGD Podcast, November 6, 2018
Building the Future: Freedom, Prosperity and Foreign Policy Podcast, CSIS, October 1, 2018
U.S. policy toward Zimbabwe, Newsday, BBC World Service, August 27, 2018
The Zimbabwe Election and the Future of Democracy in Africa, Worldview, WBEZ Chicago/NPR, July 31, 2018
The Shadow List in Nigeria, ARISE Television, January 30, 2018
U.S. Diplomacy, Truth Stranger than Fiction? Charlotte Talks, WFAE/NPR, December 7, 2017
Does U.S. Development Policy have a future under Trump? CID podcast, Harvard University, December 1, 2017
Zimbabwe's future uncertain after Mugabe, Your Morning, CTV, November 22, 2017
Zimbabwe's president just resigned. Here's what you need to know, NowThis Politics, November 21, 2017
What Now for Zimbabwe? CGD Podcast with Rajesh Mirchandani, November 21, 2017
Zimbabwe, Top of Mind, BYU Radio, November November 20, 2017
Possible Coup in Zimbabwe, CBS News, November 15, 2017
Zimbabwe, Vice News, HBO, November 15, 2017
Coup in Zimbabwe, POTUS Radio, Sirius XM, November 15, 2017
The Shadow List, Evan Dawson, WXXI, NPR, November 6, 2017
Is there a Trump Africa Policy? Wake with Luke Vargas, November 5, 2017
Trump Takes Office At A Pivotal Moment For Foreign Aid, All Things Considered, NPR, November 16, 2016
Connections: Ghosts of Havana, Evan Dawson, WXXI, NPR, September 12, 2016
Connections: US-Cuba Relations, Evan Dawson, WXXI, NPR, March 22, 2016
Bookman’s Corner, Arlington TV, March 1, 2016
Terror Strikes West Africa, The Kojo Nnamdi Show, WAMU, NPR, November 23, 2015
US Troops Aid in Mali Hostage Evacuation, Live with Kate Snow, MSNBC, November 20, 2015
Connections: Thriller Author Todd Moss, Evan Dawson, WXXI, NPR, November 13, 2015
Pittsford Mendon grad to discuss new book, WHEC Channel 10 TV News, November 13, 2015
Beaks & Geeks Podcast, Penguin RandomHouse, October 27, 2015
Morning Edition, WAMC, NPR, October 27, 2015
The Truth is Stranger than Fiction, Development Drums, September 27, 2015
U.S Observers Urge Washington to Monitor Tense Situation in Harare, Voice of America, June 5, 2015
EU-Zimbabwe Relations Sour, Voice of America, May 21, 2015
Africa Roundtable (Also Part 2), This is America & the World, With Dennis Wholey, PBS, May 10 & 17, 2015
Here and There with Dave Marash, KSFR Public Radio, April 6, 2015
UN Dispatch, with Mark Goldberg, March 16, 2015
Africa’s economy with Todd Moss, American Monetary Association, January 5, 2015
Connections with Todd Moss, Evan Dawson, WXXI, NPR, December 11, 2014
National Press Club Book Fair, C-SPAN, November 18, 2014
Todd Moss and The Golden Hour, Africa 54, Voice of America TV, October 29, 2014
Jack Lew goes to Africa, Marketplace, NPR, October 27, 2014
Ebola in Depth, Bill Martinez Live, October 27, 2014
Interview with Todd Moss, This is America & the World, With Dennis Wholey, PBS, October 20, 2014
Did we neglect Ebola because it was in Africa?, The Cycle, MSNBC, October 17, 2014
Ebola and the U.S. economy, Fox News 5, October 7, 2014
‘The Golden Hour’: A Conversation with Todd Moss, The Diane Rehm Show, NPR, September 16, 2014
US Ramps up response to spiraling Ebola outbreak, The Cycle, MSNBC, September 15, 2014
President Obama meets with African leaders to talk trade, investment, Worldview, NPR, August 5, 2014
Africa’s leaders go to Washington, The Last Word With Lawrence O’Donnell, MSNBC, August 4, 2014
Africa’s economies expanding rapidly, The Cycle, MSNBC, August 4, 2014
African leaders gather in Washington for US-Africa Leaders Summit, CCTV America TV, August 4, 2014
African Growth and Chinese Investment, CCTV America TV, May 6, 2014
Straight Talk Africa: Power Africa Initiative, Voice of America TV, April 9, 2014
Power Africa: Bridging Access To Electricity, The Kojo Nnamdi Show, WAMU, NPR, February 6, 2014
Young entrepreneurs in Erbil, Iraq, are making a killing, PRI’s The World, January 30, 2014
Poverty Alleviation Through Cash Transfers, RN Drive, Australian ABC Radio, November 7, 2013
Will Obama’s trip revitalize U.S. engagement with Africa? POTUS Morning Briefing, SiriusXM, July 13, 2013
Reflecting on US presence, policy, and performance in Africa, PBS Newshour (TV), June 27, 2013
Obama arrives in Africa where an ailing Mandela awaits, MSNBC, June 27, 2013
Tragedy and triumph reported in Algeria hostage situation, Special Report with Bret Baier, Fox News TV, January 17, 2013
Unrest in Mali, The Kojo Nnamdi Show, NPR, December 18, 2012
Recent Print/Online Media Appearances
The energy debate over ‘green colonialism’ in Africa, Axios, December 8, 2021
Nigeria is oil rich and energy poor. It can't wait around for cheaper batteries, CNN, November 3, 2021
The growing tension between energy access and tackling climate change, Devex, November 1, 2021
1 big thing: Rethinking power in developing nations, Axios, January 26, 2021
Over 3.5 billion lack reasonably reliable access to electricity, Axios, August 22, 2021
Trump administration to use global aid for nuclear projects, The Hill, June 11, 2020
Trump's push to use global aid for nuclear projects alarms development groups, The Hill, May 6, 2020
Wife of Zimbabwe Vice President charged with attempting to kill her husband, Washington Post, December 17, 2019
The US should not be doomed to lose the scramble for Africa, Financial Times, September 5, 2019
Trump administration unveils its new Africa strategy with wins and snags, Washington Post, June 19, 2019
Development finance institutions grapple with their growing role, Devex, March 19, 2019
Power suppliers offer off-grid solutions to Africa’s growing cities, Financial Times, March 11, 2019
1 Big Thing: Building Up Africa’s Power, Axios, February 26, 2019
Growth Alone Won’t Help the Poor, Foreign Policy, February 20, 2019
OPIC President to Exit the Agency, Africa Bazaar, February 12, 2019
At Risk: Credibility of US Democracy Promotion in Africa, The Hill, February 9, 2019
When Keeping the Lights On is Not Enough, Wall Street Journal, January 28, 2019
Zimbabwe Crackdown Saps Hopes of Reform, Foreign Policy, January 17, 2019
Todd Moss: When it comes to Energy, Big is Beautiful, Nonprofit Chronicles, December 9, 2018
How policy wonks, politicos, and a conservative Republican remade US aid, Devex, December 5, 2018
A new $60 billion agency is the clearest sign the US is worried about China’s Africa influence, Quartz, October 14, 2018
A new US development finance agency takes flight, Devex, October 4, 2018
Coal Shows Resilience in Global Comeback, Wall Street Journal, September 3, 2018
Mnangagwa a big pretender: Ex-US Envoys, NewsDay, July 28, 2018
African nations are fed up with the West's hand-me-downs, Washington Post, May 29, 2018
Diplomacy Noir, Crime Reads, April 23, 2018
Egypt's $60bn Bet on Nuclear Energy, Energy Collective, April 23, 2018
Rethinking how we handle development finance, The Hill, April 16, 2018
New US DFI expected to get strong White House support, Devex, February 9, 2018
Fixing Nigeria Requires More, Premium Times, January 31, 2018
Goverance in Nigeria Criminalised, Daily Trust, January 31, 2018
An Emissary to Tyranny, Foreign Policy, January 16, 2018
Utah's top Christmas light displays are using less electricity, Salt Lake Tribune, December 24, 2017
Acid test as opposition sharpens knives, Daily News, December 14, 2017
Ghana's Prez Throws Shade at Foreign Aid, NPR, December 12, 2017
Zimbabwe in the Jaws of the Crocodile, Herald (Scotland), November 26, 2017
Who is 'Crocodile' Emmerson Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe's new president? NBC News, November 24, 2017
Zimbabwe's Mugabe Is Out, But the Policies That Destroyed Zimbabwe Are Still In, Reason, November 22, 2017
Mugabe is gone, so who comes next? They call him 'The Crocodile', ABC News, November 21, 2017
The Trump Administration can seize on Zimbabwe's 'Minute Zero', The Hill, November 19, 2017
Figure known as the 'Crocodile' could replace Zimbabwe president, Associated Press, November 19, 2017
In the midst of Zimbabwe's crisis, China's influence comes under scrutiny, Washington Post, November 16, 2017
Zimbabwe's Military Says This Isn't a Coup. It's a Coup, Slate, November 16, 2017
Plans underway for new US development finance bank, Devex, October 31, 2017
Review of 'The Shadow List,' Military Press, October 16, 2017
The Diplomatic Thriller Comes to Nigeria, AllAfrica, September 8, 2017
Books About Russia are Red-Hot Right Now, New York Post, September 2, 2017
He Helped Unseat the Gambian Dictator - Who's next? OZY, March 26, 2017
Sen. Perdue touts US power program for Africa, Politifact, March 21, 2017
Should Trump Slash OPIC or Reward it? OZY, March 9, 2017
La relación con África entra en una fase incierta bajo la era Trump, El País, March 7, 2017.
The Next Trade Deal on the Chopping Block? OZY, February 14, 2017.
The Dirtiest Secret in American Diplomacy, OZY, January 20, 2017.
Kenya’s electrification is taking less than half the time it took America, Quartz, January 16, 2017.
Five Questions for Todd Moss, Undark Magazine, January 6, 2017.
What Will Trump’s Presidency Mean for Africa? OZY, November 23, 2016.
Will Foreign Aid Get Cut on Trump’s Chopping Block? Foreign Policy, November 23, 2016.
Global development community fears bad news under Trump, Los Angeles Times, November 22, 2016.
Zimbabwe’s Currency Hail Mary, Foreign Policy, November 21, 2016.
Trump Takes Office At A Pivotal Moment For Foreign Aid, NPR, November 18, 2016.
Ghosts of Havana: A Conversation with Todd Moss, Huffington Post, September 18, 2016.
World Bank accused of belittling Zimbabwe human rights abuses, Reuters, September 9, 2016.
Seven Books to Bring on Your Trip to Cuba, The ReadDown, PenguinRandomHouse, August 18, 2016.
Barack Obama’s Power Africa initiative makes slow progress, Financial Times, July 24, 2016.
Todd Moss on Books and Writing, Huffington Post, July 22, 2016
Africa Expert: Removal of Targeted Sanctions May Boost Mugabe Rule, Voice of America, June 9, 2016
Africa Scene: A diplomat turns thriller writer, The Big Thrill, March 31, 2016.
Bill Gates Calls For ‘Energy Miracle’ In 15 Years. Do Experts Agree? NPR.org, March 5, 2016.
Novel parallels reality of Zimbabwe’s 2008 elections, with a twist, Humanosphere, February 22, 2016.
Which Burns More: America’s Christmas Lights Or Tanzania? NPR.org, December 22, 2015 (plus 100+ derivative articles).
The Monkey Cage Holiday Gift Guide, Washington Post, December 11, 2015.
Ex-Diplomat Turns Experiences into Thrillers, Democrat & Chronicle, November 6, 2015.
New Talent November, Crime Fiction Lover, November 1, 2015.
If You Like James Patterson Books, Read These, New In Books, October 9, 2015.
Obama’s power with words returns, and it serves him well in Africa, Washington Post, July 30, 2015.
President Obama’s Kenya Trip Highlights Roots and Africa Policy, NBCNews.com, July 24, 2015.
Diplomacy Instead of War: PW Talks with Todd Moss, Publishers Weekly, July 3, 2015.
Middle East beach week books!, Washington Post, July 1, 2015.
Kerry’s Surprise Visit to Somalia, Vice News, May 5, 2015.
Environmentalists Rethink Development, New York Times, April 14, 2015.
Should U.S. Fund Africa’s Gas-To-Power Projects? AFK Insider, February 10, 2015.
Mugabe Falls: Comedy memes of Zimbabwe’s president go viral, Guardian, February 5, 2015.
Aging African leaders need to bridge generation chasm, Business Day, February 4, 2015.
Is IMF austerity at fault in Ebola epidemic? Wall Street Journal, December 31, 2014.
The best Middle East political science books of 2014, Washington Post, December 29, 2014.
Africa Peacekeeping Getting Crowded As Business Increases, AFK Insider, December 26, 2014.
Slow climate change or end energy poverty? Christian Science Monitor, November 6, 2014.
Politics Dim Obama’s Africa Power Plan as Lights Go Out, Bloomberg News, October 31, 2014.
How to spread power to 600 million Africans without it, Christian Science Monitor, October 13, 2014.
What the Ebola outbreak tells us about global inequality, Washington Post, October 1, 2014.
‘The Golden Hour’ – A Talk with Todd Moss, Huffington Post, September 7, 2014.
Golden Hour: Debut novel makes geopolitical dysfunction thrilling, Humanosphere, September 4, 2014.
As Africa went to Washington, The Africa Report, August 7, 2014.
Powering sub-Saharan Africa, The Hill, August 6, 2014.
What ordinary Africans might want prioritized during U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, Washington Post, August 4, 2014.
Obama Seeks Closer Africa Ties as China Is First Choice, Bloomberg, July 29, 2014.
People Power, Foreign Policy, July 10, 2014.
Has the White House Bungled a Historic Africa Summit?, Foreign Policy, July 9, 2014.
Ghana has to ration electricity so that everyone can watch the World Cup, Vox, June 16, 2014.
Rock Star in A Hard Place, Foreign Policy, May 13, 2014.
Squaring Global Poverty with Climate Change, Stanford Social Innovation Review, March 20, 2014.
Decade After Debt Relief, Africa’s Rush to Borrow Stirs Concern, Reuters, March 18, 2014.
The Great China ‘Takeover’ of Africa is Greatly Exaggerated, The Christian Science Monitor, March 2, 2014.
Panel Advances Africa Electricity Bill, CQ Roll Call, February 27, 2014.
Obama’s Wind and Solar Infatuation Keeps Africa’s Poorest in the Dark, Forbes, February 21, 2014.
Obama energy policy hurts African poor, USA Today, February 8, 2014.
It Takes A Village, Sierra Magazine, December 16, 2013 (online), Jan/Feb 2014 (print).
The Odds Against Getting Int’l Financing for Coal-fired Power Plants Rise Sharply, Climate Wire, December 16, 2013.
Changing Foreign Aid: Can More Groups ‘Buy Local’?, Christian Science Monitor, December 7, 2013.
Poor Countries Need Relief from Climate Change. They Need Electricity More, Bloomberg Businessweek, November 25, 2013.
Can Africa dodge ‘curse’ of new oil wealth?, Christian Science Monitor, October 23, 2013.
How to Save Your 401(k): Invest in Africa, Bloomberg Businessweek, October 21, 2013.
An agenda to boost Africa’s economy, Reuters, August 30, 2013.
Obama’s Push for Africa Unheeded by U.S. Companies, Bloomberg News, June 28, 2013.
Rare Visit Underscores Tangles in Obama’s Ties to Africa, New York Times, June 26, 2013.
US doubtful on free, fair polls, News Day (Zimbabwe), June 24, 2013.
EU mission seeks to rebuild Mali army after U.S. faltered, Reuters, May 21, 2013.
How the UN Covered Up a Cholera Epidemic in Zimbabwe, The Atlantic, April 3, 2013.
The African Century, Foreign Policy, March 29, 2013.
Avoiding the curse of the oil-rich nations, New York Times, February 13, 2013.
U.S. counterterrorism efforts in Africa defined by a decade of missteps, Washington Post, Page A1, February 4, 2013.
French urgency, US caution collide in Mali operation, Reuters, January 26, 2013.
What has the US already tried in Mali?, Christian Science Monitor, November 20, 2012.
Analysis: Jilted Africa cool to US vote after Obama fever fades, Reuters, Reprinted in Chicago Tribune, November 2, 2012.
US too, wants to bolster investment in a continent’s economic promise, New York Times, Page A1, August 8, 2012.
Mali: Islamists Destroy Historic City of Timbuktu, Daily Beast, Jul 15, 2012.
Analysis: Mali: The World’s Next Jihadi Launchpad?, Reuters, Reprinted in NBC News Online, June 4, 2012.