Foreign Policy was founded in 1970 with the intention of leading a root-and-branch rethink of how the United States engaged with other countries. Today, FP continues to explain Washington to the world and the world to Americans. We showcase the smartest ideas and analysis on global affairs by experts, journalists, and practitioners of international relations.

The ideal FP article strikes a balance: It should spark debate among specialists but also engage a general interest reader.

Before you pitch us, keep a few things in mind:

• Read our website. It’s the best way to get a sense of what we like and the easiest way to avoid sending us something we’ve already covered.
• Tell us why you are the right person to write the article you have in mind. Please provide relevant credentials and, if necessary, any affiliations you have that could be construed as a conflict of interest.
• Try to distill the crux of your proposal into a paragraph as you pitch us. Tell us why your argument, analysis, or reporting is distinctive and adding to public discourse. If you are attaching a draft, please keep it under 1,200 words unless necessary. (We edit extensively at FP and can discuss adding more detail or length in the editing process.)
• Keep it specific. Our most successful pitches have a narrow focus.
• Unless you’re a government official, refrain from sending us anything that refers to “our” interests “abroad.” FP readers span the globe.
• Cite your sources—whether that’s original research, a hyperlink, or an interview.
• Steer clear of wonky, technical language. FP believes in making writing accessible to the widest possible audience.

Take a look at our sections below, and pitch directly to one of them:

Arguments

An FP Argument presents an expert’s point of view on a current event. As the name suggests, Arguments hinge on a rigorously detailed claim with clearly outlined stakes. If you’re proposing a solution to a problem, the more detail the better. Our Arguments generally run about 1,400 words in length, but it would be helpful if you’re able to summarize the thrust of your point in a paragraph or so.

Analyses

If you’re looking to examine an issue but not make a definitive argument, you may be well positioned to write an FP Analysis. Analyses parse out the nuances of the big—and small—stories of our time, explaining their significance to our broad readership. An FP Analysis should bring something new to the table, elucidating connections and underscoring points that haven’t been made elsewhere.

Dispatches

FP Dispatches are reported pieces by journalists on the ground who have found a unique angle on a current political or cultural event. Think of them like postcards: painting a scene that takes readers to a distinct place and time. These are not magazine features, nor are they newspaper-y reporting. Instead, FP Dispatches have a clear, explicit takeaway.

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