The Best Foreign Policy Blogs
As we become an increasingly interconnected planet, international relations is an area of much flux and constant debate. Foreign policy is meant to define the terms by which one country interacts with another. Specially, it determines the actions, goals, relationships, and policies which a country employs on an international scale.
As could be expected with any topic this weighty and significant, individuals have taken to the blogosphere to voice their opinions about foreign policy – from journalists to academics, businesspeople to housewives. The best blogs are timely, relevant, and compelling, and below are some of the very best available to date, arranged by geographical location, with an additional topical section.
North America - Europe - Central and South America - Asia and the Middle East - Africa - Topical Blogs
North America
The Washington Note is run by Steve Clemons, of the New America Foundation. He uses photographs, videos, cartoons, and other media to complement his insights about current events. Mr. Clemons' blog is also an interesting insider's perspective into the behind-the-scenes activities in Washington D.C.'s foreign policy debates.
Focal Points Blog is run by Foreign Policy in Focus, a project of the Institute for Policy Studies. They bring together various expert bloggers in one location to discuss international foreign policy, with a bent toward the role of the United States. The blog poses questions and debates controversial topics, taking the debate a step further by taking a firm stand on many of the issues.
Daniel W. Drezner Foreign Policy Blog is maintained by Dr. Drezner, a professor of International Politics at Tufts University. His blog examines the United States' presence and influence in global affairs from politics to sports, pop culture to economics. His wit, humor, and expertise make this blog an especially interesting read.
War and Piece is written by Laura Rozen, an acclaimed foreign policy writer, reporter, and correspondent. Her blog dates back to 2003, and she reports from Washington D.C. on foreign policy and international security issues. A well-respected voice for several major news organizations, Rozen examines the role of the United States in various international political topics.
Just Foreign Policy is a resource dedicated to “reforming U.S. foreign policy by mobilizing and organizing the broad majority of Americans who want a foreign policy based on diplomacy, law and cooperation.” This blog encourages a multilateral approach to international relations for the United States, and analyzes current events from this perspective. Its activist standpoint makes it appealing to readers who want to see changes in current U.S. approaches to foreign policy.
Europe
A Fistful of Euros has 15 primary contributors who discuss various current issues relating to European countries. Simple and easy-to-read, blog entries also contain links to important press releases, statements, and speeches recently made. It is meant to be a “venue for informed commentary on European politics and culture from a pan-European perspective.”
European Union discusses issues from finance to politics, the environment to the economy. The two primary writers are based in Brussels and Hamburg, and are both EU analysts, thus giving an insider's view of European governmental happenings. They often employ a helpful journalistic strategy of posing compelling questions and offering multiple perspectives as responses.
European Geostrategy discusses the “character, ambition and scope of the European Union's emerging foreign, security and defense policies.” Six main contributors provide their own commentaries, opinions, and analyses of issues like military operations, strategies, missile defense, and international relations. This is a helpful blog for those with a special interest in foreign policy as it relates to security and military engagement.
Balkanalysis focuses primarily on Greece, Macedonia, Turkey, Serbia, and Kosovo, though they do provide coverage of all Balkan countries. The blog is written by a group of writers and researchers, and is meant to offer independent news and resources. It is known for providing “independent, objective open-source intelligence” on the Balkans and covers a wide range of topics. They also have helpful features such as Balkan headlines, photo of the week, and weekend reviews.
The Foreign Policy Centre is the blog for Britain's most well-known progressive think tank on foreign affairs. It aims to “develop innovative policy ideas which promote practical solutions to global challenges,” which are discussed in the blog. Recent topics include Europe's economic future, the European Summit, Turkish-Israeli relations, and the role of the International Monetary Fund.
Central and South America
Latin America covers topics including current events, elections, natural disasters, politics, the economy, and finance. It also analyzes the various policies and political interactions between Latin American countries and others around the world. This blog tries to explain the ever-shifting nature of foreign policy in these sometimes-volatile countries.
Americas Quarterly is operated by the Policy Journal with the same name. It focuses on the Western Hemisphere, with an emphasis on Latin America, and is a well balanced, accessible read. It is dedicated to debate and policy analysis of politics, finance, economics, and social development. More specifically, the mission is to “engage a new generation of political, economic and social leaders in a discussion of future policy alternatives and to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas.”
Latin America News Review is a compilation of relevant and timely news stories pertaining to Latin American countries, with occasional analysis and insights added. Blog entries are helpfully divided into “top stories” sections, and highlighted by country. Photographs, videos, and book suggestions are a welcome addition to the site as well.
Latin America and Caribbean is run by the think tank Foreign Policy in Focus. Commentary is provided by a number of writers, with a commitment to “peace, justice and environmental protection as well as economic, political, and social rights.” The think tank's foreign policy vision informs the blog, and articles include such topics as the risks of militarization in Paraguay, Bolivia's climate conference, and donor aid in Haiti.
Two Weeks Notice is a Latin American politics blog, run by Associate Professor of Political Science Dr. Greg Weeks. An effusive blogger, he is also the editor of the academic journal The Latin Americanist. He writes on a wide range of subjects, such as defense spending, oil drilling, elections, natural security strategies, and U.S.-Latin America relations. This is an easy-to-read, insightful set of entries from an expert in the field.
Asia and the Middle East
In Asia features 55 writers from more than 20 countries, and aims to provide weekly in-depth examinations of the events shaping the Asian continent. Sponsored by the Asia foundation, it features reports and polls in addition to blog entries. The editors place an emphasis on reporting for every region of Asia rather than just those making the top headlines.
Blog Asia Unbound , run by the Council for Foreign Relations, features six expert writers who blog about all aspects of foreign policy in Asian countries. They use engaging photographs to introduce their topics, and clearly state their views on topical issues and controversies, providing compelling supporting evidence and linking readers to more information.
Southeast Asia covers 11 countries: Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, East Timor, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Singapore. It provides in-depth explanations of current news headlines through critical analysis, and highlights lesser-known news stories. Recent stories have included “Myanmar and Nuclear Ambition,” “Passion of the Redshirts: When the Samurai Falls,” and “More Passion of the Redshirt, Indonesia and China, Malaysia and Illegal Aliens.”
Middle East covers breaking news stories from a new or different angle, attempting to fill a gap in the foreign policy rhetoric about the Middle East. It also sheds light on compelling stories that are not receiving much media attention. Issues covered of late include sanctions, entrepreneurship, missile sales, peace talks, and desertification.
China Rises is written by the Shanghai bureau chief of McClatchy Newspapers. His blog entries describe cultural and political relations between China and other countries, and discuss perceptions from within and outside the country. He uses his own photographs to complement his articles, and his conversational tone makes the subject matter more approachable, especially considering some occasionally intense topics like ethnic problems, censorship, and violent clashes.
Africa
Africa, The World Affairs Blog Network posts information on politics, sports, travel, culture, and current events, among other issues. Written in engaging, colloquial language, this blog takes a broad look at the many hot topics on the African continent. Recent items include the World Cup in South Africa, crime, apartheid, elections, travel tips, and U.S.-African relations.
Blog of Ambassador David Shinn highlights political happenings throughout Africa from the perspective of former United States Ambassador to Ethiopia and Burkina Faso, David H. Shinn. He analyzes current events, conferences, and policies, and reports from the perspective of an academic and regional expert. Shinn covers a wide range of topics; recent blog entries include “Reaction of the U.S. and EU to the Ethiopian Elections,” “Nile Water: Downstream versus Upstream Countries,” and “Economic Report on Southern Sudan.”
Africa is a blog run by Foreign Policy in Focus, a think-tank project of the Institute for Policy Studies. A group of writers comment on current events, proposed legislation, economic dealings, sanctions, military engagement, and more. The blog often ties in the role of the United States as a more responsible partner to Africa, weighing in with suggestions and opinions about its actions.
Sahel Blog is written by a scholar in the field of religion in Africa, specifically discussing issues in the Sahel and the Horn of Africa. The blog covers topics such as energy issues, resource conflict, political tensions, religious movements, elections, and democracy. Its primary aim is to engage readers in blog discussions and act as a resource about pressing current topics.
Africa in World Politics is run by Professor Mike Nelson of Wesleyan University. He provides an academic perspective, and provides analysis of pressing current issues in Africa such as Kenya's foreign relations, the AIDS epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa, free-market dictatorship, environmental problems, and intra-country relations. Nelson cites his sources carefully, linking readers to articles and resources with helpful additional information.
Topical Blogs
Climate Change uses maps, diagrams, photographs, videos, and other tools to debate the various perspectives on climate change to date. Articles highlight examples of model countries, and expose the hazardous practices of others. This blog also makes concrete suggestions about ways to reduce climate change, and to reduce our impact on the environment more generally.
Arms Control and Proliferation aims to discuss the “conditions for a world without weapons of mass destruction.” It discusses issues of weaponry for various problem countries, and explains the sanctions and steps taken and needed for non-proliferation. It also discusses the need for regulation by the U.N. and the need for treaties between countries, with updates about how and when deals are met.
Law and Security Strategy examines “the interplay between law, politics, and security strategy.” The main contributor, Rob Grace, helpfully uses quotations from reports, articles, and news briefs to highlight his discussion of recent affairs in foreign policy. Grace artfully weaves together past and present events and writings to inform the reader's understanding of how the world has arrived at its present state with regard to international law and security.
Human Rights is written by several authors, and covers topics across continents. Issues discussed include torture, racism, immigration, children, homophobia, women, free speech, poverty, war crimes, and imprisonment. The writers often neatly summarize what are often complicated, upsetting, and longstanding issues in terms that make them more understandable to the layperson.
Global Health Report is maintained by Christine Gorman, a health journalist who campaigns for changes to the global health system. She writes stories about her personal experiences as a journalist abroad, and posts speeches and videos that she has written or to which she has contributed. She also provides close analyses and opinions about current hot topics in global health.
