U.S. foreign policy can be a complex and confusing topic. It is constantly evolving to meet the ever-changing needs of the country. Different voices and opinions exist on how to approach the world.
To help sort through the noise, we’ve compiled a list of 6 publications that provide excellent coverage and analysis of U.S. foreign policy.
These publications offer a variety of perspectives and insights into policymakers’ thinking and provide analysis of current events.
1. The Council on Foreign Relations
It is an independent, non-profit membership organization, research organization, and publisher. Founded in 1921, the Council on Foreign Relations is a leading center for thinking about America’s role in the world.
The Council’s work is timely, relevant, and accessible to business leaders, educators, policymakers, students, and the interested public.
The Council takes no policy positions; it is committed to being a resource for its members and the broader policy community to help them better understand the world and their foreign policy choices.
The Council produces many publications, including opinions and analyses on American foreign policy.
The Council’s website, www.cfr.org, is one of the most authoritative sources on U.S. foreign policy trends and issues.
2. Responsible Statecraft
Responsible Statecraft is an online magazine published by the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft.
Reporters and contributors from outside the U.S. present an optimistic, nonpartisan vision of U.S. foreign policy, along with staff analyses and opinions.
It critiques the ideologies and interests that have led to counterproductive and endless wars and made the world less secure.
Contributors like Amir Handjani write about how values shape global affairs.
Authors of this publication can sometimes have strong views, but they present their arguments with intelligence and balance, unlike some media sources.
However, Quincy Institute or its associates do not necessarily endorse the opinions expressed by authors on Responsible Statecraft.
3. Foreign Affairs
As the name suggests, Foreign Affairs is the leading publication on foreign affairs in the United States and worldwide. This monthly magazine features in-depth articles by leading scholars, journalists, diplomats, and other experts on international affairs.
The magazine is well-respected for its scholarly approach to international events and writing and reporting quality.
There is a comprehensive archive of past and current articles and essays on the magazine’s website, which dates back to 1922. All pieces are free to read on the website.
Aside from providing links to related sites, ForeignAffairs.com features articles on U.S. foreign policy, profiles of politicians, multimedia features, and a bookstore with back issues and books on current affairs and U.S. foreign policy.
4. The Atlantic
The Atlantic is a great place to start if you’re interested in learning more about American foreign policy. The magazine covers politics and current events in a thoughtful yet accessible way.
It offers long-form journalism, unlike what you will find in mainstream media sources.
The website features a variety of articles by experts on international relations, politics, public policy, economics, and cultural issues.
They also have a newsletter you can sign up for to get the latest news and updates.
5. The Brookings Institute
The Brookings Institution is a non-profit organization located in Washington, D.C.
Its mission is to conduct comprehensive, independent research and provide objective analysis that leads to new ideas for solving society’s local, national and global problems.
Brookings has five research programs: Economic Studies, Foreign Policy Studies, Governance Studies, Metropolitan Policy Program, and Social Initiatives.
6. The National Interest
A Journal of International Affairs & National Security PolicyThe National Interest is a bimonthly journal covering international politics.
It is a project of the Center for the National Interest that was founded in 1985 as a non-profit public policy institute dedicated to providing a reliable source of information and analysis to policymakers and the public regarding crucial national security and foreign relations topics.
All articles are free to read on their website. Its website also features articles on current events and archived journal issues dating back to its founding in the mid-1980s.
Although they are not strictly political or policy journals—they cover many subjects—they provide great insight into current global affairs and the motivations behind policy decisions.
Articles written by experts in their fields often provide insight into how certain events impact countries or regions worldwide.
Anyone looking to learn more about U.S. foreign policy should consider reading one or more of the above publications.
Each one offers a different perspective on the issues and provides a valuable resource for understanding the complex world of international relations.