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Global Discourse: Unpacking Foreign Policy Magazine

An in-depth exploration of the influential American publication dedicated to international affairs, policy analysis, and global current events.

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Overview

A Premier Global Affairs Publication

Foreign Policy is a distinguished American news publication established in 1970, focusing on critical global affairs, contemporary events, and both domestic and international policy. It delivers content daily through its website and dedicated app, complemented by four comprehensive print issues distributed annually. This dual-format approach ensures broad accessibility to its in-depth analyses.

Organizational Structure

The publication, encompassing both Foreign Policy magazine and ForeignPolicy.com, is managed by The FP Group. This entity operates as a division of the Graham Holdings Company, formerly known as The Washington Post Company. In a strategic expansion in 2012, The FP Group also launched FP Events, an events division dedicated to fostering discussions and engagement on international policy topics.

History

Founding Vision

Foreign Policy was conceived in late 1970 by Samuel P. Huntington, a distinguished professor from Harvard University, and his colleague Warren Demian Manshel. Their primary objective was to provide a platform for diverse perspectives on American foreign policy, particularly during the tumultuous era of the Vietnam War. Huntington articulated a clear aspiration for the publication: it should be "serious but not scholarly, lively but not glib," aiming for intellectual rigor without sacrificing accessibility or engagement.

Evolution and Expansion

The publication underwent significant transformations over the decades. In early 1978, after six years of collaborative partnership, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace assumed full ownership. A pivotal format change occurred in 2000, transitioning from a slim quarterly academic journal to a more accessible bimonthly magazine. This period also saw the launch of international editions across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America, broadening its global reach. In September 2008, Foreign Policy was acquired by The Washington Post Company, which later became Graham Holdings Company. By 2012, the brand had further evolved into the FP Group, integrating the magazine, its digital platform ForeignPolicy.com, and the newly established FP Events division.

  • 1970: Founded by Samuel P. Huntington and Warren Demian Manshel.
  • 1978: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace acquires full ownership.
  • 2000: Format changes from quarterly academic journal to bimonthly magazine; international editions launched.
  • 2008: Acquired by The Washington Post Company (now Graham Holdings Company).
  • 2012: Expands to become The FP Group, incorporating ForeignPolicy.com and FP Events.

Style

Editorial Approach

Foreign Policy maintains a distinctive editorial style, as outlined in its submission guidelines. The publication strives to achieve a delicate balance between rigorously informed specialist research and broad general readability. Articles are typically crafted in clear, accessible language, deliberately avoiding overly technical or "wonky" jargon. This approach ensures that complex international policy discussions are comprehensible to a wider, educated audience, including Master's level students and professionals in related fields.

Stance

Breaking Editorial Tradition

In a notable departure from its long-standing policy, Foreign Policy endorsed a political candidate for the first time in its 50-year history during the 2016 U.S. presidential election. The publication formally endorsed the Democratic candidate, Hillary Clinton. This decision marked a significant moment, highlighting the magazine's evolving role in public discourse and its willingness to take a definitive position on critical political events.

Awards

A Legacy of Recognition

Since 2003, Foreign Policy has garnered significant acclaim within the publishing industry, receiving nominations for eight National Magazine Awards and winning six of them. These accolades include three for its print publication and three for its digital platform, ForeignPolicy.com, underscoring its excellence across both traditional and modern media formats.

Key Accolades and Milestones

The publication's commitment to high-quality journalism and innovative content has been consistently recognized through numerous awards:

  • 2003: National Magazine Award for Outstanding Achievement and General Excellence (under 100,000 circulation).
  • 2007: National Magazine Award for General Excellence (100,000 to 250,000 circulation); Eddie Award Gold Winner for "Who Wins in Iraq".
  • 2008: Folio Magazine Gold Editorial Excellence (Eddie) Award for "What America Must Do"; Silver Eddie Award for "A World Enslaved" and for a full issue; Media Industry Newsletter's "Best of the Web" Award for its blog, Passport.
  • 2009: National Magazine Award for General Excellence (100,000 to 250,000 circulation); Forbes RealClearWorld recognized ForeignPolicy.com as a top international news site.
  • 2010: Digital National Magazine Award for best blog for Tom Ricks's "The Best Defense" column.
  • 2011: Special citation for the Edward Weintal Prize for Diplomatic Reporting (for Foreign Policy and former editor-in-chief Susan Glasser); Digital National Magazine Award for best reporting for Colum Lynch's "Turtle Bay" blog.
  • 2012: Overseas Press Club award for General Excellence for best overall international website coverage; National Magazine Award for Multimedia for "Qaddafi Files".
  • 2014: Design recognition for "The Surveillance State" illustration; United Nations Correspondents Association awards for Colum Lynch (Elizabeth Neuffer Memorial Prize, silver medal) and James Reinl (The United Nations Foundation Prize, gold medal).
  • 2016: Two Overseas Press Club awards for excellence in international reporting (Tristian McConnell for "Close Your Eyes and Pretend to be Dead" and Christina Larson for "The Zhao Method"); George Polk Award in photography for Andrew Quilty's "The Man on the Operating Table" series.

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References

References

A full list of references for this article are available at the Foreign Policy Wikipedia page

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Disclaimer

Important Notice

This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.

This is not professional journalistic or policy advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for consulting original journalistic sources, academic research, or seeking expert opinions from qualified professionals in international relations, political science, or journalism. Always refer to primary sources and consult with subject matter experts for specific research or policy analysis needs. Never disregard professional advice because of something you have read on this website.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.