' Through meticulous research John Siko has produced a masterful comparative analysis of the dark arts of foreign policy making in the old and new South Africa. For sensitive readers the similarities between the two eras might be disconcerting, whereas seasoned foreign policy analysts will find authoritative confirmation of their presumptions about the inner workings of the "black box" of ... Read moredemocratic South Africa's foreign policy formulation.' Deon Geldenhuys, University of Johannesburg ' When it comes to understanding South Africa, John Siko has few equals. His book is a valuable addition to the canon of South African foreign-policy literature, particularly given his five years of experience as a diplomat in the country. It is a must read for anyone-whether South Africans or outsiders- trying to understand how the foreign policy making process really works. Incoming diplomats in particular should put this at the top of their reading lists.' Donald Gips, US Ambassador to South Africa, 2009-13 ' John Siko has written the finest and most comprehensive account of South African foreign policy to date. It is an irony that the foreign policy of an apartheid era was more active internationally, beyond Africa, than South African foreign policy is today. At the same time, Thabo Mbeki's painstaking "African diplomacy" within Africa is captured by Siko in a compelling fashion, especially in its Zimbabwean dimension. The various think tanks and interest groups, some public and others secret, are all represented here in a valuable and important book.' Stephen Chan OBE, SOAS, University of London ' Dr Siko has produced an innovative and perceptive study of the varying impact of key South African elites on the foreign-policy decision-making process. It is closely argued, based on a formidably wide range of sources including productive interviews with many of the key actors. The tone and substance of the book demonstrates a commendable scholarly detachment; it will certainly be a valuable text for those interested in a variety of fields including foreign-policy analysis, democratic theory and practice and transitional politics.' J.E. Spence OBE, King's College London Show Less