Presenting our Fall 2024 print issue

Letters to the next president from around the world. SEPTEMBER 10, 2024  |  [VIEW IN BROWSER](  |  [SUBSCRIBE](     Nicolás Ortega Illustration for Foreign Policy It all started with a cartoon elephant and some turkeys. Ronald Reagan, preparing to leave the Oval Office for the last time on Jan. 20, 1989, wrote a letter to his vice president and successor, George H.W. Bush. He did so on a notepad illustrated by children’s book author Sandra Boynton. “Don’t let the turkeys get you down,” the 40th president advised the 41st. And so began an epistolary tradition among commanders in chief that continues today. When it came to FP’s [Fall 2024 print magazine](, the cover story could only be about one thing: the upcoming U.S. presidential election. But without a reliable crystal ball, we decided to focus our editorial attention on the known unknowns, as[Donald Rumsfeld]( might say. No matter who wins the White House this November, he or she will face long-term challenges stemming from a shifting world order in which the United States is no longer the sole hegemon. The decline of multilateralism, a warming planet, failing democracies, ongoing wars—there are crises on many fronts. So we asked nine of the smartest people we know from around the world to write to the next president with a word of advice. Former Spanish Foreign Minister Arancha González presents a [stark view from Europe](: “It is time you double down on regaining the trust of your friends and allies.” Former Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao gets the impression “our American friends are uneasy about India’s vigorously expanding identity” and [explains why they shouldn’t be](, while Nobel laureate Joseph E. Stiglitz wants to make one thing very clear: “U.S. policy has been dictated, to too large an extent, by special corporate interests.” If the United States is to win the new cold war, Stiglitz writes, “[this must stop](.” And as U.S. democracy prepares to endure another major stress test—don’t miss an FP Live discussion with Barbara F. Walter on the[possibility of political violence]( at the polls—Kenya’s Martin Kimani writes about his own country’s experience in [building political bridges]( through electoral crises. If the “great experiment” of the United States is to survive, the former U.N. ambassador writes, “Americans must do more than vote and retreat.” As you can probably tell, none of the contributors to this print package pulled any punches. [A letter by professor Danny Quah]( from Singapore has already spurred a lively debate in the comments section, and if you’re a subscriber, we hope you’ll join in. Our U.S. political coverage with a global bent continues this week with analysis of foreign-policy issues at Tuesday’s presidential debate.—Amelia Lester, deputy editor   Polls, Predictions, and Perspectives. [Stay ahead of the U.S. elections with expert anlayses.](   New and Noteworthy - Many Faces: To grasp Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s approach to politics, “it’s necessary to understand his time within the country’s intelligence services,” Tom Gardner writes. In an adapted excerpt from his new book, Gardner outlines the twists and turns of [Abiy’s rise to power](. - No Conservative Haven: Adrian Karatnycky describes the “[false image of a God-fearing Russia](” and how that messaging has “made serious inroads among cultural and religious conservatives in the United States and elsewhere.” - Politics and TikTok: As the U.S. election approaches, a social media app has taken center stage: [TikTok](. The short-form video platform has become a popular news source, especially among young people, and continues to drive political discourse through memes and jokey videos. Join FP to [unlock insightful news and analysis]( as the United States prepares to vote.   [FP Live]( [NATO’s Future]( Sept. 16 | 10 a.m. EDT After a decade of serving as NATO’s secretary-general, Jens Stoltenberg will step down in October. Tune in to an exit interview with FP’s Ravi Agrawal as they discuss the latest on Ukraine, NATO funding, his legacy, and the future of the world’s largest military alliance. [Join FP]( to submit your questions, or [register now](. [Subscriber Exclusive: The China Challenge]( On DemandThe United States has undergone a dramatic change in its China policy in the last decade. How does that play out in day-to-day diplomacy? Nicholas Burns has served as the U.S. ambassador to China since 2022. He joined FP Live to discuss the state of the U.S.-China relationship, encompassing trade, technology, Taiwan, and more. Join the FP network to unlock the [on-demand conversation]( and [edited transcript](. [Could Civil War Erupt in America?]( On DemandFrom Northern Ireland to Syria, Barbara F. Walter has studied the genesis of civil wars around the world. The conditions that foment conflict are predictable, she says—and there are signs that those conditions are growing increasingly visible in the United States. Walter joined FP Live to lay out lessons for the United States in a crucial election year. Join the FP network to unlock the [on-demand conversation]( and [edited transcript](.   Exercise Your Mind The National Football League hosted its first South American game in which city on Friday? A. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil B. Buenos Aires, Argentina C. São Paulo, Brazil D. Córdoba, Argentina You can find the answer to this question and learn more at the end of this email.   [FP @ UNGA79]( As global leaders gather in New York City for the 79th United Nations General Assembly, join FP for a series of critical discussions on addressing escalating global issues, including food and security crises, advanced technological threats, health emergencies, and green energy needs. [Explore]( the list of events and expert speakers, and stay tuned for more programming. [AI for Healthy Cities]( Sept. 24 | 12:30 p.m. EDT | The Westin Grand Central, NYC [Her Power @ UNGA79]( Sept. 24 | 4:30 p.m. EDT | Mastercard Tech Hub, NYC & Virtual [FP Tech Forum @ UNGA79]( Sept. 25 | 8:30 a.m. EDT | Rockefeller Center, NYC & Virtual [From Risk to Resilience]( Sept. 25 | 11:30 a.m. EDT | Rockefeller Center, NYC & Virtual [FP Health Forum @ UNGA79]( Sept. 25 | 1:00 p.m. EDT | Rockefeller Center, NYC & Virtual [FP Energy Forum @ UNGA79]( Sept. 26 | 8:30 a.m. EDT | Rockefeller Center, NYC & Virtual [Food+ @ UNGA79]( Sept. 26 | 12:30 p.m. EDT | Rockefeller Center, NYC & Virtual [The Catch @ UNGA79](Sept. 26 | 4:30 p.m. EDT | Rockefeller Center, NYC & Virtual [Counterpoint @ UNGA79](Sept. 26 | 6:30 p.m. EDT | Rockefeller Center, NYC & Virtual   Explore the New Fall Magazine [Is 2024 Really the Most Important Election in History?]( [Democracy—and the global system—might not be so easily dismantled.]( [By Michael Hirsh]( [Invest in Soft Power]( [When you are attractive, you can economize on sticks and carrots.]( [By Joseph S. Nye Jr.]( [Play by the Rules]( [No longer the sole hegemon, the United States faces global issues that require global cooperation.]( [By Joseph E. Stiglitz]( [How to Restore the American Center]( [A lesson from Kenya on bridge-building amid hyperpartisan politics.]( [By Martin Kimani]( [Is 2024 Really the Most Important Election in History?]( Democracy—and the global system—might not be so easily dismantled. By Michael Hirsh [Invest in Soft Power]([When you are attractive, you can economize on sticks and carrots.]( [By Joseph S. Nye Jr.]( [Play by the Rules]([No longer the sole hegemon, the United States faces global issues that require global cooperation.]( [By Joseph E. Stiglitz]( [How to Restore the American Center]([A lesson from Kenya on bridge-building amid hyperpartisan politics.]( [By Martin Kimani](   From Around FP - On the Go: Foreign Policy is now on WhatsApp! [Sign up]( for our WhatsApp Channel to get timely updates on geopolitical issues, wherever you go. To save stories for a later read, easily access newsletters and podcasts, and unlock more of FP at your fingertips, also [download our mobile app]( today. - Ones and Tooze, Live: [Secure your tickets]( to a live taping of [Ones and Tooze](, FP’s economics podcast, in Washington, D.C., before seats run out. Can’t attend? Check out recent episodes, including an analysis of [Hezbollah and the Lebanese economy](, on [Apple](, [Spotify](, or whenever you enjoy your podcasts. - How to Create a Successful Podcast: On Sept. 12, join Foreign Policy’s award-winning podcast leadership team for expert strategies on how to navigate the crowded podcast landscape to ensure that your podcast reaches your target audience. [Register]( for the virtual webinar today.   Are you interested in learning more about FP Analytics’ cutting-edge research services, hosting an FP Virtual Dialogue event, or building a podcast with FP Studios? [Explore partnership opportunities](. Answer: C. São Paulo, Brazil. American football has a growing fan base in Brazil, with an estimated 8.3 million people describing themselves as “avid” fans of the sport, FP’s Catherine Osborn [writes]( in Latin America Brief. [Unlock the magazine—and so much more]( Subscribe to FP to unlock all expert insights in the Fall 2024 magazine, out now, alongside daily reports, in-depth newsletters, and more. [JOIN FP](   [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [LinkedIn]( You’re receiving this email at {EMAIL} because you signed up for FP's This Week newsletter. [MANAGE YOUR EMAIL PREFERENCES]( | [VIEW OUR PRIVACY POLICY]( | [UNSUBSCRIBE]( Interested in partnering with FP on events, podcasts, or research? [Explore FP Solutions](. [Foreign Policy]( is a division of Graham Holdings Company. All contents © 2023 Graham Digital Holding Company LLC. All rights reserved. Foreign Policy, 655 15th St NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC, 20005.