Dear Reader:
Welcome to the fourth issue of the Yale Review of International Studies. It is hard to believe that it has been nearly two years since a small but ambitious core of undergraduates founded a new publication with a broad mandate: to create a space for original scholarship and insightful commentary that reflected the vibrant discussion of international issues already taking place all over the University—whether in heated seminar debates or midterm study groups, over late-night Falafels or fourth cups of coffee.
True to original form, this issue reflects all of the intimidating thickness of the Yale Bluebook, the originality the undergraduate scholarship in its courses, and the methodological rigor across its majors. In this issue alone, Zoe Egelman considers the short history and evolving definitions of EU citizenship; Anne Bloomdahl reexamines military secrecy two decades after Daniel Ellsberg leaked the Pentagon Papers; Deirdre Dlugoleski uncovers an 18th century journal that sheds new light on the origins of British foreign policy in the Palestinian territories. And that is just a sample.
We hope you enjoy reading these outstanding pieces as much as we have, whether flipping through or line-by-line. They were carefully selected from an increasingly tall pile of submissions, the quality of which has propelled standards unimaginably higher with each new semester.
We should also mention that our sleek new design makes YRIS more than a pleasure to read; it is now also a treat to hold, save, and shelve for safe keeping. For this we owe sincere thanks to our indefatigable new designers, Martha Kang McGill and Grace Robinson-Leo. They have refocused our journal on readability and substance, but have also given us a smart companion that we are proud to carry conspicuously on strolls across campus. What more could we ask for?
Well, there is one more thing: Please consider submitting your work. We are always looking for brilliant student essays on international trends and issues broadly understood, and the journal’s strength relies on submissions from readers like you.
We truly look forward to reading (and publishing) more of your work in the year ahead.
Best Regards,
The Editors