Publications
fp21 is building a new culture of foreign policy that uses evidence and robust analysis in decision-making processes, learns from its successes and failures, and continually feeds lessons back into the way it recruits, trains, and promotes a merit-based staff. Explore our publications below.
Identifying Influence in Geopolitics: China’s Belt and Road Initiative
Thomas Scherer: The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is China’s $1 trillion (and growing) infrastructure investment program, prompting large counter-investments from U.S. allies. But there’s a huge assumption baked into this financial arms race to exert influence: more investment causes more influence. Is that even true? New research suggests not.
A Review of ‘Delegated Diplomacy: How Ambassadors Establish Trust in International Relations’
Dan Spokojny: When presidents and leaders can communicate directly and instantaneously with one another, why bother with diplomats? David Lindsey's new book offers a counterintuitive but compelling answer. This book review examines the compelling argument which demands that we take the role of diplomats more seriously.
Bridging the Gap to Nowhere?
Dan Spokojny: “Bridging the gap” between academics and policymakers is vital for improving US foreign policy. Yet there are some critical design flaws in the bridge that need to be addressed. It's worrying when scholars must hide their methods and evidence when speaking with a policymaker. This risks placing outstanding scholarship on equal footing with opinions, lobbying, and misinformation.
ISA2023 Roundtable Summary: Can Foreign Policy Decision-Making Be Made More Scientific?
Thomas Scherer: Top State Department officials maintain that diplomacy “is not a science.” But experts convened by fp21at the 2023 International Studies Association Convention largely affirmed that foreign policy can and should be more scientific.