A Milestone Moment for Cosmopolitics

And How You Can Be Part of It

Hello Cosmopolitans! (And welcome to the many new readers who joined in the past few days!)

A few days ago, something incredible happened.

Patric Martin

, one of our first paid subscribers, reached out with a generous offer: to donate 10 paid subscriptions to Cosmopolitics. When I asked why, he said that being a subscriber to Cosmopolitics has given him a better understanding of international affairs. He called it one of his favorite reads and said he wanted to share our work with others.

I was, quite simply, blown away. This act of generosity not only highlights the special bond within our community but also reaffirms that our journey together in understanding the complexities of foreign policy and geopolitics is resonating more than ever.

This week, we mark three months since the launch of Cosmopolitics. With each newsletter, I have aimed to provide new perspectives and deepen our understanding of international events and the domestic political forces that shape them. By taking you inside global policy debates and introducing you to the players involved, I hope to cut through the talking points, say what needs to be said and explain what is really going on.

Our discussions, your engagement, and the support from those who recommend Cosmopolitics remind me daily of the power of community in the Substack ecosystem. It’s about lifting each other up and expanding our horizons together.

The Iranian attack on Israel this weekend showed the power of our growing community. Through our threads discussion, which began hours before the attack, we shared real-time news, analysis and perspectives about the developments and tried to make sense of where the region goes from here.

Each post so far has been free for subscribers and outside readers, and the bulk of our pieces will continue to be available to everyone. Inspired by the support from our community, I'm excited to introduce a premium subscription for those who wish to dive deeper and engage more intimately with the content and discussions that Cosmopolitics offers.

The premium membership, which will start next week, includes:

• Full access to all posts, including audio and video, and our upcoming podcast

• Exclusive invites to private chats with special guests and myself

• Virtual happy hours to discuss breaking news

• Subscriber-only content, mailbags, and more

• Starting this week, the Weekend Edit will be for paid subscribers

This premium tier is available for $6 a month or $50 a year. For those who feel especially supportive, a $200 founding member option is also available.

If you haven’t already, I hope you will consider upgrading to a premium subscription. If you are already a paid member, perhaps you would like to follow Patric’s lead and donate some… or purchase a group subscription for friends, loved ones or colleagues.

Your support will directly contribute to the growth of Cosmopolitics, allowing us to expand our offerings and continue providing in-depth analysis of America's role in the world and the forces shaping our geopolitical landscape. If you could take a few minutes to answer this reader survey, I would love your feedback on how we can strenghten our premium membership.

If you feel you could benefit from a paid subscription but can't afford it, then send me a direct message. I have ten subscriptions to donate from Patrick, and I don't want money to be a barrier to entry to anyone to be reading me or a part of the conversation. I would especially like to give these to students in our community.

The mission of Cosmopolitics is straightforward: to cut through the noise and offer insights into global affairs, free from the constraints of clickbait or editorial bias. I am accountable only to YOU, my subscribers – and I don’t bring any political agenda. I aim to provide you with an insider’s guide to better understanding our world, and a strong commitment to a non-partisan, informed U.S. foreign policy. I don’t expect you to always agree with my views and encourage debate and constructive dialogue among our group.

As the world faces unprecedented challenges, from the ongoing war in Gaza to the reverberating echoes of conflict in Ukraine and the ongoing threat from China, the need for clear, insightful, and independent analysis has never been more critical. Your support enables us to continue making sense of these complex stories, shaping informed decisions and conversations about our future.

If you've found value in our journey so far, I invite you to consider upgrading to our premium subscription. Together, we can continue to explore, understand, and engage with the world in meaningful ways.

Thank you for being an essential part of Cosmopolitics. Here’s to many more months of insightful analysis, community building, and, most importantly, making sense of the world together.

P.S. Every new journey begins with a single step. If upgrading isn’t possible for you right now, you can still support Cosmopolitics by sharing our newsletter with friends and family and people in your networks who share our passion for understanding the world. Every bit of support counts!