How a century-old journal became the ultimate arbiter of American foreign policy
In short: Founded in 1922 to educate the public on America's rising global power, Foreign Affairs evolved from a niche academic quarterly into the definitive forum for international relations. It has shaped Cold War doctrine, defined cultural conflicts, and remains a mandatory read for the world's most influential policy makers and diplomats.
The Council on Foreign Relations launched Foreign Affairs on September 15, 1922, seeking to foster discourse among experts in statecraft, finance, and science. Its inaugural issue featured Elihu Root, who argued that as the United States emerged as a world power, its citizens required deeper knowledge of international affairs. From its inception, the journal established a rigorous intellectual standard, with early book reviews handled by historian William L. Langer, who famously processed roughly one hundred books per issue.
The journal’s influence surged after World War II, mirroring the rise of American global dominance. It became a primary vehicle for defining national strategy, most notably through George F. Kennan’s reworking of his Long Telegram, which introduced the containment doctrine that anchored Cold War policy. Other pieces, such as Louis Halle’s 1950 article on Latin America, provided the intellectual framework for interventions in the region, demonstrating the journal's power to shape real-world political outcomes.
While the magazine maintains a prestigious reputation, it has not been immune to controversy. In 2003, a dispute over a book review regarding Henry Kissinger and the Chilean regime of Augusto Pinochet sparked accusations of editorial interference. Despite such tensions, the journal remains a vital arena for debate, attracting contributions from eleven U.S. secretaries of state and diverse voices like W. E. B. Du Bois. Today, with a 2023 impact factor of 6.3, it ranks second among international relations journals, continuing to bridge the gap between elite policy circles and the broader public.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Foreign Affairs
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