My new mission

Let's ensure young people aren't scrolling through world events without understanding the complex history behind them

View from the Staten Island Ferry

Cosmopolitans:

I’m back after a short break to dive into a new adventure.

This week I fulfilled a long-time dream by starting my role as the Edward R. Murrow Press Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). For the next ten months, I’ll be working out of CFR’s headquarters in New York City, humbled to be part of a 75-year tradition and following in the footsteps of some of America’s most respected foreign policy journalists.

For me, this opportunity feels like stepping into a world I’ve admired for years. I’ve been an avid reader of Foreign Affairs since high school and joined CFR as a Term Member before becoming a Lifetime Member five years later. Now, I find myself surrounded by some of the sharpest minds in foreign policy, and honestly, it feels like I’ve entered the ultimate candy store for foreign policy wonks.

Over the next year, in addition to supporting CFR’s initiatives, I’ll be focusing on my own research project, which dives into the intersection of social media and political engagement among American youth. In this age of constant connectivity, today’s youth are more globally aware than ever—swiping through international crises on their feeds with the same ease as checking the latest TikTok trend.

Yet despite their passion, many struggle to distinguish credible information from noise. They can quote an influencer’s take on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict but might pause if asked about the actual historical background behind “from the river to the sea.” In some ways, it's ironic: they have more access to information than any generation before them, and yet the sheer volume of it leaves many feeling less informed. The recent sympathy for Osama bin Laden, reflected in the alarming reaction to the reemergence of his "Letter to America" on social media, is a clear sign that we are facing a serious problem.

Older generations often dismiss this digital passion as a passing phase, recalling how the protest movements of the 1960s and ’70s fizzled into quiet suburban lives. However, recent studies suggest that young Americans’ views are not only persistent but increasingly entrenched. It’s as if each TikTok comment section is an ideological battlefield, and these platforms—despite their reputation for fleeting entertainment—are shaping long-term beliefs. This shift could have significant implications for U.S. global leadership, democracy, and trade.

As Pew Research Center data has highlighted, social media has become the primary news source for many young people, which can create the illusion of being well-informed. In reality, the algorithmic echo chambers of TikTok or Instagram often reinforce opinions without challenging them. So while young Americans are engaging intensely with global issues, their understanding can sometimes be fragmented—like scrolling through a 15-second summary of a century-long conflict. This reliance on social media fosters a sense of community, yes, but it also leads to a broader issue: the “likes” and “shares” that validate their worldview are often born out of misinformation or oversimplified narratives.

Through my research, I aim to uncover how this digital fluency is shaping Gen Z’s perspectives on U.S. foreign policy. How does their skepticism of American exceptionalism reconcile with their activism on issues that challenge traditional foreign policy priorities? And how can we engage these digital natives to ensure they’re not just scrolling through world events but truly understanding the complex history behind them?

The fellowship provides a unique opportunity to explore the influence of social media on youth engagement and the widening generational divide in foreign policy. I’m particularly interested in how authoritarian regimes—like those in Russia, China, and Iran—exploit social media to influence public debates in open societies like the U.S., often exacerbating disillusionment with democracy. For example, Iranian propaganda recently promoted a video of an American airman self-immolating in front of the Israeli embassy, twisting it into a pro-Hamas narrative. On social media, many young Americans lionized him as a hero, raising troubling questions about how deeply misinformation can take root.

This fellowship is a crucial intersection between CFR’s mission to foster global understanding and my project’s focus on bridging the generational divide in foreign policy engagement. The challenge is clear: how do we help a generation raised on the immediacy of social media develop the patience to understand the nuanced complexities of foreign affairs? The irony is that while they’re hyper-connected, they risk becoming disconnected from the deeper truths of the world they’re so passionate about.

My goal is to yield actionable insights to help U.S. policymakers and media adapt to the challenges of the digital age while preparing the next generation of leaders to navigate its complexities. I also plan to apply these insights to Zivvy News, the digital platform I co-founded with

Eric Weisbrod

, which seeks to inspire and inform young minds about global issues. If you haven’t subscribed to Zivvy’s Substack yet, I invite you to check it out. And if you know a curious Gen Z-er, please pass it along—I think they’ll find it interesting and worthwhile

In the end, my fellowship at CFR is about more than just research—it’s about sparking a conversation that transcends generations and ideologies. It’s about preparing young leaders to navigate the increasingly complex world we live in, ensuring that they are ready to take the reins and shape the future of U.S. foreign policy.

A big part of this journey will involve conversations and collaboration with my new colleagues at CFR. This year’s cohort of visiting fellows includes military officers nominated by the chiefs of staff from all branches of the U.S. armed forces.

The current group of fellows at CFR includes a diverse range of incredibly accomplished military leaders and experts. Among them is an Army colonel specializing in conflict and cooperation, with extensive experience in Eastern Europe, a Navy captain with a deep expertise in maritime strategy and command of submarine squadrons, and a Coast Guard captain who has overseen aviation operations across the Southeast U.S. and the Caribbean. There’s also an Air Force colonel who recently commanded Joint Base Andrews, home to Air Force One, and a Marine Corps colonel with experience in peacekeeping and security operations around the world. Additionally, the group includes a senior intelligence official and a nuclear expert and soon-to-be PhD at Columbia University. To be in the company of such accomplished individuals is both humbling and inspiring. Their insights into global security are not just informed by study but by real-world, on-the-ground experience in some of the most challenging and high-stakes environments.

Last weekend, a few of us took a ride on the Staten Island ferry, passing by the Statue of Liberty. Though I’ve seen her many times, this time felt different. There was a renewed sense of patriotism, yes, but also a deeper respect for those who serve. Getting to know my new colleagues and hearing their stories of dedication has given me a newfound appreciation for the weight of the oath they take to defend the U.S. Constitution.

The year ahead promises to be a transformative experience. I’ll be sharing updates on my research and reflections periodically – in addition to our usual Cosmopolitics fare on foreign policy and international issues. I’m excited to bring you along on my journey.