It's probably fair to say that most practitioners and general readers find little of interest or value in most contemporary academic work in the social sciences, and that most social scientists are either unconcerned by such attitudes or attribute them to the failings of the consumers, not the producers. However, we here at Foreign Affairs-responsible for running a forum for policymakers, scholars, and general readers alike-believe strongly that intellectual rigor, practical relevance, and accessible presentation are not mutually exclusive. We believe, in fact, that when done right, they are actually mutually reinforcing. In Masters of IR, we've decided to gather together a few of our most recent articles from some of the leading lights in international relations, showing just how the gap between scholars and policymakers can and should be bridged. The collection features Francis Fukuyama, John Ikenberry, Joseph Nye, Robert Keohane, and Fareed Zakaria on the future of history, liberalism, and America. Stephen Brooks, John Ikenberry, and William Wohlforth debate Barry Posen on U.S. grand strategy. Kenneth Waltz, Robert Jervis, and Richard Betts all chime in on Iran. Graham Allison discusses nuclear weapons, and Michael Walzer, David Campbell, and Robert Putnam talk humanitarianism and religion. Masters of IR also offers an introductory chapter by Foreign Affairs editor Gideon Rose.

The U.S. vs. al Qaeda brings together the very best of more than three decades of Foreign Affairs coverage on al Qaeda, Osama bin Laden, and the broader terrorist threat. This collection includes groundbreaking articles by established experts such as Bernard Lewis, Fouad Ajami, and Ahmed Rashid, as well as newer voices, including Brynjar Lia and William McCants. A rich documents section supplements the Foreign Affairs essays with major speeches by Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, private correspondence between bin Laden and his deputies, and pivotal U.S. legislation. The book also offers an introductory chapter by Foreign Affairs editor Gideon Rose, in which he analyzes how terrorism has shaped U.S. grand strategy over the past decade. Released to coincide with the 10th anniversary of 9/11, this book offers an indispensable look back at the past decade of the war on terrorism and a guide to how the terrorist threat will continue to shape U.S. policy into the future.

No issue on the foreign policy agenda is more controversial than how to deal with Iran's nuclear program, and Foreign Affairs continues to dominate the debate.
This special collection, Iran and the Bomb 2: A New Hope, pulls together a broad range of pieces that illuminate Iran's turn toward negotiations, the pros and cons of the interim agreement, and the geopolitical and psychological intricacies of the crucial U.S.-Iranian-Israeli triangle. The authors include world-renowned experts from several disciplines and professional backgrounds, and their arguments span every significant position on the political spectrum.
Iran and the Bomb 2: A New Hope offers an excellent overview of the current situation and all the material required for readers to develop their own opinions about how to proceed.