Foreign Policy Blogs

FPA’s Must Reads (October 24-October 30)

Ambassador William Burns, former Deputy Secretary of State, was for years a leading voice in American foreign policy (Photo: U.S. Department of State via Flickr).

Ambassador William Burns, former Deputy Secretary of State, was for years a leading voice in American foreign policy (Photo: U.S. Department of State via Flickr).

10 Parting Thoughts for America’s Diplomats
Foreign Policy
By William J. Burns

After 33 years at the State Department, Ambassador William Burns reflects on his storied career and offers thoughts for the future of American diplomacy.

China’s Lost and Found Hero
Narratively
By Brendon Hong

Cheng Yun’s story of bravery as a soldier for the Chinese army eight decades ago was lost to history after he spoke out against the communist party. His story is now being celebrated, but his true beliefs are still played down.

7 Worst-Case Scenarios in the Battle With ISIS
Mother Jones
By Peter Van Buren

Peter Van Buren for Mother Jones gives background information and worst-case scenarios for the major players in the turmoil consuming the Middle East.

The Laborers Who Keep Dick Pics and Beheadings Out of Your Facebook Feed
Wired
By Adrian Chen

Not everyone working for large tech companies like Google or Facebook get to make use of the company’s message credits and concierge service, although you’d think both should be perks for those who have to weed through the worst of the worst web content all day. Adrian Chen delves into the world of content moderators and the psychological (not to mention economic) toll of having to sift through the videos, comments and photos that you really don’t want to see.

The essence of evil
aeon
By David Livingstone Smith

Dehumanization, at its core, is a process of distancing one’s self from another–a process that has enabled, and perhaps encouraged, violent acts throughout human history. We know what happens when we dehumanize an individual or group of people. But, as Smith notes, the how, or even why, it happens remains a mystery.

Blogs:

Ebola’s Biggest Threat? Fear Mongering by Daniel Donovan
Why Turkey supports Iraq’s Kurds, but not its own by Scott Bleiweis
Joseph Nye on the Future of American Power by Elly Rostoum
NATO, Allies and Freedom’s Defense by George Paik
China and Southeast Asia 2035: A Wikistrat Simulation by Gary Sands