Foreign Press USA

In a new Foreign Press Podcast episode, the Association of Foreign Press Correspondents in the USA, in partnership with the @hinrich.foundation hosted Dawn Shackleford, President of Looking Glass Trade, LLC, for a discussion on the U.S. balance-of-payments strategy and Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. Key learning takeaways included how temporary tariff authorities work, how balance-of-payments claims are evaluated, and why these developments matter for international journalists covering trade, markets, and global economic policy. #ForeignPress #GlobalTrade #TradePolicy #Journalism #InternationalJournalism #Tariffs #WTO #IMF #HinrichFoundation #ForeignPress #GlobalTrade #TradePolicy #Section122 #Tariffs #WTO #IMF #HinrichFoundation #Journalism #InternationalJournalism

Today, the Association of Foreign Press Correspondents in the USA (AFPC-USA) was honored to host a private roundtable lunch with George Logothetis, Executive Chairman of Libra Group, for a thoughtful discussion on leadership in the 21st century. We are grateful to George for sharing his insights, perspective, and experience with our members and guests, and for engaging in such an open and meaningful conversation. Special thanks to all participants who joined us and contributed to an inspiring exchange on leadership, responsibility, purpose, and the role of global engagement in today’s complex world. We look forward to continuing to create meaningful opportunities for dialogue between international correspondents and leaders across business, public affairs, and civil society. #ForeignPress #InternationalJournalism #ForeignCorrespondents #Leadership #roundtable

Today, on World Press Freedom Day, the Association of Foreign Press Correspondents in the USA (AFPC-USA) honors the courage, integrity, and vital work of journalists around the world. A free and independent press is essential to democracy, accountability, and the public’s right to know. At a time when journalists continue to face censorship, intimidation, violence, imprisonment, and growing threats to their independence, we reaffirm our commitment to defending press freedom as a fundamental pillar of open societies. Foreign correspondents play a critical role in helping the world understand events beyond borders. Their work brings facts, context, and human stories to global audiences, often under difficult and dangerous conditions. On this day, we stand in solidarity with all journalists who pursue truth, hold power accountable, and defend the public’s right to be informed. #worldpressfreedomday✍️ #Press Freedom #foreignpress

The Association of Foreign Press Correspondents in the United States (AFPC-USA) was pleased to host a roundtable lunch today in New York City with Francesca Rossi, IBM Fellow and IBM AI Ethics Global Leader. An exceptional group of international correspondents representing media organizations from various countries joined the conversation for an educational discussion on recent developments in artificial intelligence and the ethical questions surrounding its rapid evolution. As part of its mission, the Association creates opportunities for international correspondents to engage directly with distinguished leaders and experts on issues that matter for their reporting and for the broader public conversation. This roundtable was one of the Association’s ongoing off-the-record discussions designed to support meaningful dialogue, professional learning, and informed journalism. Thank you to Francesca Rossi and to all the journalists who joined us for this important conversation. @ibm #ForeignPress #InternationalJournalism #ArtificialIntelligence #AIEthics #ResponsibleAI

This week, journalist Thanos Dimadis, the Executive Director of the Association of Foreign Press Correspondents in the United States (AFPC-USA) met with Dr. Ruchir Puri, the Chief Scientist of IBM Research, an IBM Fellow, and Vice-President of IBM Corporate Technology and Technical Community, for an episode of our video series, Foreign Press One-on-One. Dr. Puri is a Fellow of the IEEE, and has been an ACM Distinguished Speaker, an IEEE Distinguished Lecturer, and was awarded 2014 Asian American Engineer of the Year. He is also an inventor of over 70 US patents and has authored over 120 scientific papers. He discussed IBM’s goal to create “the future of computing,” describing computing as “foundational to human evolution [and] human understanding.” Much of this conversation with Dimadis focused on AI as a developing technology and its future applications. AFPC-USA is solely responsible for the content of this educational program. Below, foreign journalists can read the takeaways from the discussion. /journalism-resources/foreign-press-in-conversation-with-ibm-chief-scientist-dr-ruchir-puri-on-ai-and-quantum-computing #foreignpress @ibm #AI #ibm

AFPC/USA statement on Ahmed Shihab-Eldin being detained by Kuwait The Association of Foreign Press Correspondents in the USA condemns in the strongest terms the unwarranted detention by Kuwait of independent Kuwaiti American journalist Ahmed Shihab-Eldinand demands his immediate and unconditional release. The award-winning journalist, who is a past adjunct faculty member at Columbia University, was arrested in Kuwait on March 3 during a brief visit and after apparently publishing on social media publicly available videos and images concerning the war with Iran. According to the Committee To Protect Journalists, "It is understood Kuwaiti authorities have charged him with spreading false information, harming national security, and misusing his mobile phone — vague and overly broad accusations that are routinely used to silence independent journalists. His detention came amid military escalations during the Iran war, with Kuwaiti authorities – and other Gulf countries — imposing increasingly tight censorship over the press.” While the Association acknowledges the need for wartime secrecy, we also believe unfounded claims of national security should never be used to curtail free speech. There are concerns that Gulf countries are worried about the erosion of internal national unity and may be using anti-terror laws to restrict publicity about attacks on their infrastructure, according to The Guardian. Journalism is not a crime. The Association urges Kuwait to immediately release Shihab-Eldin and drop all charges against him. We stand with the statements by CPJ and other free press organizations, human rights groups and global leaders calling for his urgent release. We support the concerns expressed by many, including one by Connecticut Democratic Sen Chris Murphy @ChrisMurphyCT that this is “part of a larger trend of governments - including the Trump administration - trying to censor journalists reporting on the realities of this war.” Kuwait should release him now, and the U.S. State Department should demand the release of Shihab-Eldin and all other journalists being unjustly detained by America’s wartime allies in the region. #pressfreedom

AFPC-USA deplores in the strongest possible terms the killing of another journalist in Gaza. Mohammed Wishah, an Al Jazeera Mubasher correspondent, was killed in a targeted Israeli drone strike on April 8 during a supposed ceasefire. He is the 12th Al Jazeera journalist to be killed since the October 2023 war began in Gaza, where more than 260 media professionals have been killed by Israel, according to the Gaza Government Media Office. The intentional killing of media workers is an affront to truth, accountability and press freedom. It must stop. #PressFreedom #JournalismIsNotACrime #ProtectJournalists #StandWithJournalists #MohammedWishah #AlJazeera #MediaFreedom #FreedomOfThePress #JournalistSafety #StopKillingJournalists #Accountability #HumanRights #FOREIGNPRESS #afpc

For foreign correspondents, Iran is never a routine assignment. But in April 2026, it is an especially difficult one. The country is emerging from weeks of armed escalation, severe communications disruption, and heightened security measures. As of April 8, a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran has been announced, with further talks expected, but the situation remains fluid and reporting conditions can change with little warning. For journalists, that means the story is not only what is happening in Iran, but also how difficult it has become to see, verify, and explain it accurately. The first thing correspondents need to understand is that the reporting environment in Iran is restrictive even in relatively calm periods. Reporters Without Borders ranks Iran 176th out of 180 countries in its 2025 World Press Freedom Index and describes it as one of the world’s most repressive countries for journalists. RSF says the media landscape is heavily controlled, arbitrary arrests are common, and independent journalism is routinely pressured through harsh legal and security tools. That larger structure matters, because any short-term reporting trip takes place inside a long-established system of surveillance, censorship, and state control. What has changed in recent weeks is the degree of operational difficulty. The Committee to Protect Journalists reported on April 2 that Iran was in the grip of the longest internet blackout in its history, with connectivity reduced to almost zero after the war broke out on February 28. CPJ says the blackout has cut journalists off from sources and audiences and sharply reduced their ability to verify even basic facts. Reporters interviewed by CPJ described relying on phone calls, text messages, face-to-face conversations, expensive satellite workarounds, and constantly shifting technical solutions just to communicate. Human Rights Watch has warned that such shutdowns also conceal abuses, restrict access to information, and hamper documentation by journalists and monitors. #war #foreignpress #foreignpresscorrespondents

China now produces more than 30% of the world’s manufactured goods—more than the U.S., Germany, and South Korea combined. In AFPC-USA’s latest learning takeaways, economist Mariko Watanabe examines how China’s industrial planning system helped build that scale, but also how it is fueling overcapacity, trade distortions, and growing pressure across global markets. From electric vehicles and solar panels to steel and supply chains, the effects are being felt far beyond China. This conversation, produced in partnership with the Hinrich Foundation and hosted by Roseanne Gerin, explores why China’s industrial catalog matters, how it shapes investment decisions, and what it means for the future of global trade, developing economies, and the rules-based trading system. Read the takeaways here: /educational-programs-learning-takeaways/chinas-industrial-catalog-and-the-global-trade-ripple-effect-hinrich-foundation @hinrich.foundation #AFPCUSA #ForeignPress #InternationalJournalists #Journalism #GlobalTrade #China #TradePolicy #SupplyChains #Manufacturing #IndustrialPolicy #EconomicPolicy #TradeRelations #GlobalEconomy #HinrichFoundation #LearningTakeaways

Join us for an important AFPC-USA educational program: “Navigating the New Age of Geopolitical Asset Seizures.” This online session will examine how governments are increasingly using asset control, sanctions, emergency laws, financial enforcement, and other “seizure-like” tools as part of economic statecraft—and what that means for journalists covering trade, investment, sanctions, national security, and geopolitics. The program is presented by AFPC-USA in partnership with the @hinrich.foundation @hinricheducation and will help correspondents sharpen their reporting angles, ask better questions in interviews and briefings, and better understand the cross-border implications for companies, investors, and policymakers. The session will take place Monday, March 23 at 10:00 a.m. ET and will feature Shannon Brandao as speaker and Jennifer Freedman as moderator.

Bryant Park is one of Manhattan’s most beloved public spaces, offering visitors charm, history, and year-round entertainment in the heart of Midtown. Located between 40th and 42nd Streets and Fifth and Sixth Avenues, the park is known for landmarks such as Le Carrousel, the Josephine Shaw Lowell Memorial Fountain, and statues of notable historical figures. Though it is especially famous for its Winter Village, Bryant Park attracts millions of visitors throughout the entire year. Originally known as Reservoir Square, Bryant Park officially opened in 1884 and was redesigned in 1934. After years of decline, the park underwent a major transformation and reopened in 1992, quickly becoming one of New York City’s most celebrated public spaces. Today, it hosts more than 1,000 free events annually. The Winter Village is Bryant Park’s signature seasonal attraction. Open from late October to early March, it features a large ice-skating rink, festive food and drink options, and private igloos for small groups. During the holiday season, visitors can also enjoy the European-style Holiday Shops, which offer gifts, artisanal goods, and seasonal food favorites. Another popular winter attraction is bumper cars on ice, adding even more fun to the experience. Bryant Park also has several food spots open year-round, including Breads Bakery, Casa Toscana, Joe Coffee, and Waffles & Dinges. These kiosks make it easy for visitors to enjoy pastries, coffee, sandwiches, or sweet treats while relaxing in the park. Beyond winter, Bryant Park remains lively with daily activities such as yoga, music performances, writing workshops, board games, and cultural events. Its central location near the New York Public Library, Times Square, and the Theater District makes it an ideal stop for locals and tourists alike. Whether you visit for skating, dining, or a free public event, Bryant Park offers something memorable in every season. #ForeignPress #InternationalJournalism #Journalism #culture #travel #reviews

How Foreign Correspondents Should Cover the Current Iran Crisis The current Iran crisis is not a story that can be explained through one headline alone. It is simultaneously a military conflict, a diplomatic confrontation, a nuclear issue, a regional security challenge, an energy market story, and a human story. For foreign correspondents, that means the task is not simply to report the latest development, but to help audiences understand how all these dimensions connect. One of the main dangers in covering Iran is oversimplification. Dramatic phrases such as “all-out war” or “regional collapse” may attract attention, but they often blur important distinctions. Good reporting requires precision. Journalists must separate confirmed facts from official claims, expert analysis, and unresolved uncertainty. In a fast-moving crisis, that discipline is essential. Foreign correspondents should cover the Iran story as a system. Military escalation is only one part of the picture. Reporters also need to explain the nuclear dimension carefully, distinguishing between facilities, inspections, risks, and broader political fears. They should also pay attention to regional actors, shipping routes, oil prices, inflation, and the way ordinary people experience instability in daily life. Another important lesson is the need to localize the story. Different audiences will relate to the crisis in different ways. Some will focus on energy costs, others on diplomacy, security, migration, or supply chains. Strong foreign correspondence translates a distant crisis into something meaningful for a particular readership without distorting the facts. Ultimately, the current Iran crisis is a test of serious international journalism. It calls on correspondents to combine historical understanding, careful sourcing, clear language, and humility in the face of uncertainty. Its central message is simple: the purpose of foreign correspondence is not to make a crisis louder, but to make it clearer. #Iran #IranCrisis #MiddleEast #ForeignCorrespondents #Journalism #InternationalReporting #Geopolitics #GlobalAffairs #PressFreedom #MediaEducation