The world is my playground!

I tend to travel alot and up until recently most of it was international. Many of the places I had gone to had problems that would effect the way I had to do business in that country in some way, shape, or form. Having kept myself abreast of the current situations in these countries has kept me from making some very crucial mistakes such as showing my ignorance.

I try to keep "in the know" by reading several publication on a very regular basis. Some are considered out in left field but a few others are very well respected magazines. One of these is FOREIGN POLICY. This particular journal comes out quarterly(Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter). The newstand price is about $7.95. If you get a subscription then the overall price is substantially reduced. If you would like to call for a subscription then dial 1-800-678-0916 in the U.S. or call 303-604-1465 for international subscribers outside the U.S.

The Journal itself is a small 6 by 9 inch magazine with a eye catching color photo on the cover depicting the lead story. In the covers you will find a very large number of advertisements dealing with books, papers, and other media covering all topics that effect foreign policy decisions. The sections are divided into:

Editor's Note Here the editor tries to make a relevant commentary about a current situation or his take on some of the views in the magazine

Think Again This area is usually one article deep where the author is trying to get you to look at what is generally accepted as common knowledge and realize that there is more to it than what is on the surface

Globilization at Work They average about six presentations in this section. Authors such as George Soros have submitted works here. Mostly this area covers a wide spectrum of current issues that the writers are attempting to bring you "up to speed" on.

Books Covers some of the books that have been released from publishers on related topics. The reviewers try to give you an unbiased interpretation of what the book is about and wether it has been done effectively or not.

Global Newstand Here they pull selected summaries from some of the leading journals of international affairs.

Letters This is where leaders in the field can send personal responses to the editor about topics covered.

Index A very thorough listing of all that was covered and is divided into a subject and an author index.

Many of the articles that are written are done so by professionals working with foreign policy councils and at universities around the world with strong international relations programs. I personally find that many of the works contained within these pages to be very informative but tend to concentrate on the economic aspects of a situation or problem. Many important facets of a particular quandry or dilemma seem to be left out in favor of socioeconomic issues. Of course I have to be reminded again and again that the root of most problems in other countries and regions does revolve around economic factors.

The reading can be dry at times and usually I am forcing my way through a particular article to the end in hopes of picking up something relevant to the business at hand. One of the other things that keeps this from being my favorite international relations magazines is the fact that it comes out quarterly and some of the information may be useless and dated.

Overall, it is a very professional read and helps round out my assortment of materials I need to stay informed. If you are a college student majoring in International Relations or you want to get a gift for a student, then a subscription to this magazine is highly recommended.