Presenting our Fall 2024 print issue

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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

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, aa 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 Demand

The 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 Demand

From 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

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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.