There’s a great problem in the West.
For all the news we read, almost nobody pays attention to what foreign leaders actually say.
Other than in extremely filtered form (through our media) – which often isn’t faithful to the sentiment of what’s been said – we don’t hear from them.
Contrast this with the 1960s, and JFK’s ambassador to Japan, Edwin Reischauer, making important cultural documentaries to help Americans better understand Japan and the Japanese way of perceiving the world: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9kL97FzucY
Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone later went on to say: ‘I know of no other man who has so thoroughly understood Japan.’
Such diplomatic attempts at empathy have deteriorated sharply since. And I’d like to make a humble attempt at reviving the Reischauerian spirit.
For the past year, I’ve been writing a fortnightly digest on Substack: https://edwardmdruce.substack.com/
In the past few weeks, I’ve begun adapting these into video form – hoping in time to reach a wider audience.
I get through a prodigious amount of Western commentary – mainstream and alternative – but lack (as we all do) getting to actual *primary source* foreign leader material.
Three such examples – that have potential to be illuminating to a Western audience, if only they were covered…
1) A five-hour interview with former Israeli PM Naftali Bennett: https://twitter.com/hsu_steve/status/1624448965776142336
2) A very long fireside chat with Putin in October 2022: https://vk.com/video-214192832_456239041?list=ln-ixmnwTZ5qWUNnBhfUO – starting at 1:16:00
3) Qiushi. Dan Wang writing on this:
‘This year, I read every issue of Qiushi (translation: Seeking Truth), the party’s [CCP’s] flagship theory journal, whose core task is to spell out the evolving idea of socialism with Chinese characteristics. For those not familiar, Qiushi reads like a cross between the New Yorker and the Federal Register. Published twice a month, the magazine features lengthy essays, thick pages, and some of the finest writers in the party. Each issue starts in the same way: a reprint of a speech or essay by Xi Jinping—in a font distinct from the rest of the magazine’s—and then commentary and reports from the rest of the party state.’
There’s an English language version – http://en.qstheory.cn/2020-06/16/c_461019.htm – but, astonishingly to me, I’ve never once heard a Western commentator cite it.
I’m looking for a research assistant who:
i) Actually wants to understand foreign leaders.
You recognise that wanting to hear from the likes of Putin directly doesn’t mean *agreeing* with him – it simply means *listening*, and trying to get an accurate picture of how he sees the world.
ii) Has the instinct to know what’s interesting/important, and can pull out bite-sized time-stamped clips that matter.
Such an example with Putin – him getting annoyed at Western journalists: https://youtu.be/ppD_bhWODDc?t=3194
iii) Loves to read. You read books by Henry Kissinger / about China for fun.
iv) You believe the truth is more complicated than simple ‘good guys versus bad guys’ narratives we’re fed.
v) Has a desire to understand and disseminate the real workings of the world.
About me:
- In 2017 I co-founded a successful publishing company: https://courseconcierge.com/
- I worked in the Prime Minister’s office in the UK (10 Downing Street), with the Prime Minister’s chief of staff, 2020–21
- In 2016 I interned at The Spectator magazine – so have some minor background in journalism.
*
At present, my Substack/videos have a tiny following. But my audience comprises important people – many who until recently ran the government in the UK.
I recently turned 30, and have the extreme good fortune of having time to determine what I’d like to do next. It’s something in this general geopolitical/peacemaking realm.
Right now, this is something of an experiment, so I’m open-minded on the number of hours/rate for the role.
What I do know…
>You can do this on your own time. Complete flexibility in when you work.
>I’m not interested in where, or even whether, you went to school. All that matters is you’re curious, insightful and determined.
To apply, please write back with a short note as to why you think you’d be a fit. (All I care about is your enthusiasm and fit for this role. Please do not attach a résumé.)
I won’t be able to get back to everyone, but for those who stand out, I will be in touch to book a phone call.
If you haven’t heard back within 10 days, please assume on this occasion you have not advanced to interview.
Thank you for considering the role and reading until this point. If you’re on the fence about applying: please do.
Best of luck, and I look forward to hearing from you,
Edward