Koroghli Ammar

Origins & Education

1984: Born in Chelghoum Laid (Mila Province), Algeria

2004: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - University of Batna, Algeria

2014: Master of Arts (M.A.) - University of Florida, USA

2017: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Political Science - University of Florida, USA

Areas of Specialization: International Relations, Foreign Policy, International Development, China-Africa Relations

Scientific Career

Lina Benabdallah is an Associate Professor in the Politics & International Affairs Department at Wake Forest University. A recognized specialist in Sino-African relations, she develops innovative theoretical approaches to understand contemporary power dynamics.

Current Research: Her first book "Shaping the Future of Power: Knowledge Production and Network-Building in China-Africa Relations" (Michigan Press University, 2020) develops a framework drawing on Qin Yaqing's Relational International Relations theory to analyze China's human capital investments and network-building motivations in Africa.

New Book Project: She is currently working on a second book that studies current Chinese government-issued discourses and narratives about the New Silk Road being a continuation of Sino-centric 15th Century Indian Ocean exchanges. The project investigates the degree to which Chinese foreign policy is successful (or not) in impacting local elites and citizens' perceptions of China in countries with New Silk Road projects.

Distinctions & Recognition

Prestigious Academic Affiliations:

• Research Associate - Johns Hopkins University China Africa Research Initiative
• Senior Associate - Center for Strategic and International Studies' Africa Program
• Contributing Editor - Africa is a Country

Publications in Leading Journals: International Studies Quarterly, Journal of International Relations and Development, Third World Quarterly, African Studies Quarterly, Project on Middle East Political Science

Media Contributions: Washington Post's Monkey Cage blog, Foreign Policy

Impact & Influence

Dr. Benabdallah's seminal work, "Shaping the Future of Power: Knowledge Production and Network-Building in China-Africa Relations" (July 2020), probes the type of power mechanisms that project, diffuse, and circulate China-Africa relations. The crux of the argument is that it is necessary to take into account the processes of knowledge production, social capital formation, networks, and skills transfers in Chinese foreign policy towards African states to fully understand how power permeates these encounters.

Academic Recognition: The book was reviewed in over a dozen outlets and has been the subject of several roundtables and podcast discussions, demonstrating its significant impact in the field of international relations.

Theoretical Innovation: Her second book project examines the intersection of the politics of nostalgia, historic narratives of great powers, and empire-making. A first article from this project was published in International Studies Quarterly.

Public Engagement: Through her publications in mainstream media outlets such as the Washington Post and Foreign Policy, she contributes to illuminating contemporary debates about international relations and China's role in Africa.

Scholarly Contribution: Her research provides crucial insights into understanding modern power dynamics, particularly in the context of South-South cooperation and the evolving landscape of international development assistance. Her work bridges theoretical innovation with practical policy implications, making significant contributions to both academic discourse and policy debates.

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