Edward Alden

Edward Alden is a columnist at Foreign Policy, the Ross distinguished visiting professor at Western Washington University, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, and the author of When the World Closed Its Doors: The Covid-19 Tragedy and the Future of Borders and Failure to Adjust: How Americans Got Left Behind in the Global Economy.

Follow Edward Alden:
On X
Articles by Edward Alden
A Texas service member in a bulletproof vest and helmet is seen from behind as he hauls a handle to open a gate in a metal fence that's about four times his height. A sign on the fence says "Notice: Authorized personnel only."
A Texas service member in a bulletproof vest and helmet is seen from behind as he hauls a handle to open a gate in a metal fence that's about four times his height. A sign on the fence says "Notice: Authorized personnel only."

Trump’s Immigration Orders Will Bring Chaos to the Border

Analysis
Edward Alden
A police officer wearing a reflective vest holds up her hand to halt an oncoming truck on a multi-lane highway beneath a cloudy gray sky.
A police officer wearing a reflective vest holds up her hand to halt an oncoming truck on a multi-lane highway beneath a cloudy gray sky.

When the World Closed Its Doors

Excerpt
Edward Alden, Laurie Trautman
A silhouette of Donald Trump speaking into a microphone.
A silhouette of Donald Trump speaking into a microphone.

From Musk to Gaza: Issues We’re Watching in 2025

Roundup
Edward Alden, Elisabeth Braw, Steven A. Cook, James Crabtree, Agathe Demarais, Zongyuan Zoe Liu, C. Raja Mohan
An employee works on photovoltaic modules destined for export at a factory in Sihong, China, on Sept. 3.
An employee works on photovoltaic modules destined for export at a factory in Sihong, China, on Sept. 3.

Trump Will Be His Own Trade Czar

Analysis
Edward Alden
Dozens of asylum-seekers cluster as they rush to be processed by a border patrol agent at an improvised camp, covered in blankets.
Dozens of asylum-seekers cluster as they rush to be processed by a border patrol agent at an improvised camp, covered in blankets.

The Great Deportation of 2025

Analysis
Edward Alden
A pencil-drawn portrait of Robert Lighthizer seen in profile, wearing glasses and looking to the right.
A pencil-drawn portrait of Robert Lighthizer seen in profile, wearing glasses and looking to the right.

The Man Who Would Help Trump Upend the Global Economy

Profile
Edward Alden
Supporters of former U.S. President Donald Trump gather near Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida, on March 21, 2023.
Supporters of former U.S. President Donald Trump gather near Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida, on March 21, 2023.

A Self-Absorbed America Means Disorder for the World

Argument
Edward Alden
Reflections of the crains and cargo ships are visible in a reflection in the segmented panoramic windows of a moored ship. The ships are piled high with shipping containers in various colors, and a hazy sky is visible above them.
Reflections of the crains and cargo ships are visible in a reflection in the segmented panoramic windows of a moored ship. The ships are piled high with shipping containers in various colors, and a hazy sky is visible above them.

5 Issues to Watch in 2024

Roundup
James Crabtree, Zongyuan Zoe Liu, Edward Alden, Agathe Demarais, C. Raja Mohan
U.S. President Joe Biden speaks about manufacturing and supply chains at the White House in Washington on Jan. 21, 2022.
U.S. President Joe Biden speaks about manufacturing and supply chains at the White House in Washington on Jan. 21, 2022.

Biden’s Turn Against Trade Makes It Hard to Win Friends

Analysis
Edward Alden
After crossing the border from Mexico, immigrants reach for soup donated by volunteers in San Luis, Arizona, on May 23, 2022.
After crossing the border from Mexico, immigrants reach for soup donated by volunteers in San Luis, Arizona, on May 23, 2022.

Biden’s New Southern Border Plan Might Just Work

Analysis
Edward Alden
Katherine Tai, then-nominee for U.S. Trade Representative, speaks at a U.S. Senate hearing in Washington on Feb. 25, 2021.
Katherine Tai, then-nominee for U.S. Trade Representative, speaks at a U.S. Senate hearing in Washington on Feb. 25, 2021.

Why the U.S. Trade Office No Longer Runs Trade

Analysis
Edward Alden
French President Emmanuel Macron and U.S. President Joe Biden walk along the colonnade of the White House in Washington on Dec. 1. 2022.
French President Emmanuel Macron and U.S. President Joe Biden walk along the colonnade of the White House in Washington on Dec. 1. 2022.

Biden’s ‘America First’ Policies Threaten Rift With Europe

Analysis
Edward Alden
An Indian employee of a tech start-up works at their offices in New Delhi.
An Indian employee of a tech start-up works at their offices in New Delhi.

U.S. Immigration Has Become an Elaborate Bait and Switch

Argument
Edward Alden
A man films screens demonstrating Baidu’s Apollo Go self-driving taxi service at the company’s Apollo Park testing site in Beijing, on April 22.
A man films screens demonstrating Baidu’s Apollo Go self-driving taxi service at the company’s Apollo Park testing site in Beijing, on April 22.

Washington Raises Stakes in War on Chinese Technology

Analysis
Edward Alden
Sebastien-Thibault-US-Grand-Strategy-Illustration-3-2
Sebastien-Thibault-US-Grand-Strategy-Illustration-3-2

Revisiting U.S. Grand Strategy After Ukraine

Analysis
Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Angela Stent, Stephen M. Walt, C. Raja Mohan, Robin Niblett, Liana Fix, Edward Alden, Stefan Theil
Load more by Edward Alden Return to staff list

Latest

See All Stories

Trending

  1. 1
    Stop the Next Ethiopia-Eritrea War Before It Begins
  2. 2
    The Periodic Table of States
  3. 3
    What the World Will Look Like Without a ‘West’
  4. 4
    Trump Is Undermining the Canadians Most Sympathetic to Him
  5. 5
    How Trump Is Killing the U.S. Defense Industry