My Memorial Day commitment

A message to our community about meeting the moment

PHOTO CREDIT: U.S. Army

Dear Cosmopolitics Community,

This Memorial Day holds special meaning for me. After spending the past year at the Council on Foreign Relations alongside an extraordinary cohort of visiting fellows—accomplished military leaders and experts who've served in some of the world's most challenging environments — I have a deeper appreciation for those who take the oath to defend our Constitution. Their stories of dedication and sacrifice have given me newfound respect all of those who serve and reinforce my own commitment to cover global developments, America’s role in the world and the national security agencies that shape US foreign policy.

Why your subscription matters

As someone who's covered eight administrations, I can tell you: this moment requires journalists who understand the nuances of international affairs, who have sources across the national security community, and who aren't afraid to call it as they see it. Independent reporting matters and platforms like Cosmopolitics become essential for making sense of what's really happening in our country and our world. I am accountable only to you - and deserve reporting that cuts through the spin to explain what the changes in our country really mean for American security. Below is a short recap of what we covered in just the past week.

Memorial Day special: 25% off premium

In honor of Memorial Day and those who serve, I'm offering 25% off annual premium subscriptions through Tuesday night. Premium members get:

• Full archive access including audio and video content

• Exclusive commenting and live discussion privileges

• "Ask Me Anything" sessions and Weekend Edit analysis

• Early access to upcoming podcast and events

For those already subscribed, gift subscriptions are a perfect way to bring like-minded friends into our growing community of readers who value substantive foreign policy analysis.

What's ahead

The coming months will bring more frequent posts, including more interviews, quick updates on breaking developments, deeper analysis of long-term trends, and video content. Later this year: our weekly show launch, discussion events, and a foreign affairs book club.

Most importantly, I'll continue doing what I've always done—reporting without fear or favor, drawing on decades of experience covering foreign policy and national security, and offering the unfiltered perspective you can only get from truly independent journalism.

This Memorial Day, as we honor those who served and sacrificed, let's also commit to the kind of informed citizenship they fought to protect. That means staying engaged with the complex realities shaping our military and our nation's role in the world.

Thank you for being part of Cosmopolitics. Together, we're creating something essential—a space for the kind of serious foreign policy discussion our democracy needs.

With gratitude,

Elise

P.S. If cost is a barrier to joining premium, please reach out. I never want finances to prevent anyone from being part of our conversation. And regardless of subscription level, you can always support our work by recommending Cosmopolitics and sharing it with others who value independent analysis.

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In case you missed it…

Israel Embassy workers murdered in D.C.

One reader argued last week’s murder of two Israeli diplomats at a Jewish center wasn’t “antisemitism,” but a “tangential part of the Israel-Palestine conflict. But by attacking a Jewish facility, he is not just criticizing Israel but targeting Jews in general for the conflict. That is the very definition of antisemitism.

I joined CNN to discuss the impact of the shooting on countries actions against Israel.

Danielle Pletka and I discussed the DC attack at the Jewish center and more, as we took the edge off the news with our weekly show Hot Takes Happy Hour. Join us every Thursday at 5:30 ET!

Russia-Ukraine War

I joined Meet The Press NOW to discuss President Trump’s high-stakes call with President Putin and what it means for the war in Ukraine

Trump’s tense meeting with South African President

I joined CNN NewsNight to discuss Trump's unsubstantiated claims of a "genocide" in South Africa

Tom LoBianco

and I discussed the Oval Office meeting with South Africa and more foreign policy topics in a Substack Live with

24sight News

.

And back by popular demand, the Cosmopolitics Edit, my take on the week’s biggest stories, along with a curation of stories off the beaten track that I found interesting and suggestions on some lighter weekend fare