Notes & Letters

Letters from James Hoge, Jr., Moises Naim, Richard John Neuhaus, James Kurth, Tod lindberg, David Goodhart, Steven Lagerfeld and Colin Powell

Vigorous debate, informed commentary and fresh
ideas are much needed to help citizens cope with the
profound forces reshaping our world. So welcome to
The American Interest, which will add to our understanding
of consequential issues in politics, culture and
international relations.

James F. Hoge, Jr.
Editor,
Foreign Affairs

In today’s saturated media environment, many would
consider the launching of a new print publication too
bold an initiative. Ironically, one devoted to advancing
intelligent debate about the pressing dilemmas of our
time will be considered even more risky. We were told
as much five years ago, when we relaunched Foreign
Policy
magazine.

Today, I can safely tell you that the pessimists are
wrong. In fact, I expect The American Interest to do
very well. This confidence is based in our experience at
FP. We have consistently found that powerful ideas
have a way of finding their way into the national—
indeed the global—conversation. This is especially true
if they are presented in a way that respects the needs of
readers rather than the idiosyncrasies of authors. I
know that the world-class thinkers behind The
American Interest
will ensure that each issue will have
powerful ideas that will be amply debated. I also know
that your presence will force us at Foreign Policy to produce
an even more interesting magazine. We welcome
your arrival and wish you a long life and much success.
We will be reading you.

Moisés Naím
Editor in Chief,
Foreign Policy

Knowing that The American Interest will not confine
itself to a narrow notion of national interests, I very
much look forward to what promises to be a fresh
voice in the necessary and never-ending conversation
about the not-so-manifest destiny of an experiment
that continues to entertain, if ever so gingerly, the possibility
that it is, in the words of the Founders, a novus
ordo seclorum
. All the best with this important project.

As ever,

(The Rev.) Richard John Neuhaus
Editor-in-Chief,
First Things

The advent of The American Interest is an important
and welcome event in the public discussion about
America’s distinctive role in the world. Adam, your
intellectual scope, professional experience and wise
sensibility will help you to conduct a distinguished
orchestra on the themes of culture, politics and foreign
policy. Welcome to the block.

James Kurth
Editor,
Orbis: A Journal of World Affairs

Never before have so many had so much access to so
much information and commentary about the events
of the day. It is a revolution. All praise to it.
Unfortunately, this newfound abundance of raw material
can obscure the problem of the shortage in reliable
guidance for making one’s way through it. Historically,
such guidance has always been in short supply.
The purpose of publications such as the one I edit is to
try to provide it. Another serious entry in the pursuit
of this aim, The American Interest, is cause for celebration.
There’s more than enough work for all capable
hands, so let’s get to it.

Tod Lindberg
Editor,
Policy Review

Welcome to The American Interest from Prospect magazine
in London. Starting a magazine from scratch is a
tiring but exhilarating business (as I discovered ten
years ago). I particularly welcome the fact that—-like
Prospect—-you will be open to different currents of
argument, even if you will have a dominant voice of
pragmatic conservatism. As our own dominant voice is
a realistic liberalism we will no doubt often be on different
sides of arguments, but Prospect wishes you well
in the years ahead.

David Goodhart
Editor,
Prospect

It is a rare pleasure to welcome a new magazine of ideas
into the world, especially one with such a distinguished
cast and such high promise. The great issues
confronting our country urgently need the kind of sustained
and serious reflection they will receive in The
American Interest
.

Steven Lagerfeld
Editor,
The Wilson Quarterly

Congratulations on the birth of The American Interest.
I wish you well, for we all need to understand better
the times of great change and challenge in which we
live.

Gen. Colin L. Powell (USA, Ret.)
McLean, Virginia


Appeared in: Volume 01, Number 1 | Published on: September 1, 2005
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
© The American Interest LLC 2005-2024
About Us Privacy
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.