Julian E. Zelizer

Julian E. Zelizer is a columnist at Foreign Policy and a professor of history and public affairs at Princeton University. He is the author of The Long View, a newsletter putting the news in perspective.

Follow Julian E. Zelizer:
On X
Articles by Julian E. Zelizer
Ralph Nader in a black and white photograph.
Ralph Nader in a black and white photograph.

When Democrats Rebelled Against Their Own Leaders

Analysis
Julian E. Zelizer
A historic photo of a man giving an energetic speech on stage with American flags in the background and a group of people behind him in early 1900s attire.
A historic photo of a man giving an energetic speech on stage with American flags in the background and a group of people behind him in early 1900s attire.

How Mamdani Taps Into an American Socialist Tradition

Analysis
Julian E. Zelizer
A bearded man in a suit at a lectern in front of patriotic bunting.
A bearded man in a suit at a lectern in front of patriotic bunting.

Who the Hell Is James Garfield?

Review
Julian E. Zelizer
Members of the media take photographs of framed portraits of U.S. President Donald Trump flanking an image of former U.S. President Joe Biden's signature along "The Presidential Walk of Fame" on the wall of the colonnade outside of the Oval Office at the White House on Sept. 25.
Members of the media take photographs of framed portraits of U.S. President Donald Trump flanking an image of former U.S. President Joe Biden's signature along "The Presidential Walk of Fame" on the wall of the colonnade outside of the Oval Office at the White House on Sept. 25.

Why Does the U.S. Set Presidential Term Limits?

Analysis
Julian E. Zelizer
Russell Vought speaks in front of a microphone while Donald Trump listens, both wearing blue suits with red ties, in front of a blurred painting of a man on a horse.
Russell Vought speaks in front of a microphone while Donald Trump listens, both wearing blue suits with red ties, in front of a blurred painting of a man on a horse.

Why Russell Vought Is One of the Most Powerful People in Washington

Analysis
Julian E. Zelizer
In this black-and-white photo, the South Portico of the White House is seen covered in scaffolding and surrounded by 1940s-era construction trucks and workers with wheelbarrows.
In this black-and-white photo, the South Portico of the White House is seen covered in scaffolding and surrounded by 1940s-era construction trucks and workers with wheelbarrows.

How Trump’s White House Renovation Differs From Truman’s

Analysis
Julian E. Zelizer
Henry Kissinger holds papers under one arm as he looks out of a tall window with drapes on either side.
Henry Kissinger holds papers under one arm as he looks out of a tall window with drapes on either side.

It’s (Still) Henry Kissinger’s World

Review
Julian E. Zelizer
A man in a suit with a briefcase walks by a line of picketers holding signs on sticks or wearing them on their chests or backs. Signs read: "For mass pickets to shut down the airports!" Labor: Shut down the aiports!" "Victory to the PATCO strike!" "Organized labor supports the air traffic controllers"
A man in a suit with a briefcase walks by a line of picketers holding signs on sticks or wearing them on their chests or backs. Signs read: "For mass pickets to shut down the airports!" Labor: Shut down the aiports!" "Victory to the PATCO strike!" "Organized labor supports the air traffic controllers"

The Air Traffic Controller Showdown That Haunts American Labor

Analysis
Julian E. Zelizer
Trump and Bondi walk through a doorway under a portrait of Trump above the door frame with a U.S. flag and Justice Dept. flag on stands on either side.
Trump and Bondi walk through a doorway under a portrait of Trump above the door frame with a U.S. flag and Justice Dept. flag on stands on either side.

Trump Has Broken the Justice Department

Analysis
Julian E. Zelizer
Pete Seeger holds a guitar and stands at an array of microphones as he sings. People stand behind him listening and a man at left holds up a microphone.
Pete Seeger holds a guitar and stands at an array of microphones as he sings. People stand behind him listening and a man at left holds up a microphone.

The Link Between Bad Bunny and Pete Seeger

Analysis
Julian E. Zelizer
Black-and-white photo of a crowded social gathering, with several people in formal attire conversing and holding drinks. Two men in the center are smiling and engaged in conversation
Black-and-white photo of a crowded social gathering, with several people in formal attire conversing and holding drinks. Two men in the center are smiling and engaged in conversation

Why Both Parties Are Considering Midterm Conventions

Analysis
Julian E. Zelizer
Black-and-white photo of a man in a suit speaking into multiple microphones at a press conference, with a large map of Southeast Asia and a Department of Defense seal visible in the background.
Black-and-white photo of a man in a suit speaking into multiple microphones at a press conference, with a large map of Southeast Asia and a Department of Defense seal visible in the background.

Robert McNamara Chose Loyalty to the President

Review
Julian E. Zelizer
Senator Chuck Schumer stands at a lecturn gesturing to a sign with Donald Trump speaking on it.
Senator Chuck Schumer stands at a lecturn gesturing to a sign with Donald Trump speaking on it.

How Shutting Down the U.S. Government Became the New Normal This article has an audio recording

Analysis
Julian E. Zelizer
Two doctors simultaneously administer a smallpox vaccination and a gamma globulin injection to a young boy whose classmates watch in 1967.
Two doctors simultaneously administer a smallpox vaccination and a gamma globulin injection to a young boy whose classmates watch in 1967.

RFK Jr.’s Uncle Made Vaccines His Signature Issue

Analysis
Julian E. Zelizer
Demonstrators hold a banner calling for an end to the deployment of National Guard troops in Washington, D.C.
Demonstrators hold a banner calling for an end to the deployment of National Guard troops in Washington, D.C.

How the Movement to ‘Free D.C.’ Became a Civil Rights Struggle

Analysis
Julian E. Zelizer
Load more by Julian E. Zelizer Return to staff list

Latest

See All Stories

Trending

  1. 1
    FP Live: The Ask-Me-Anything Edition
  2. 2
    The Wobbling of King Trump
  3. 3
    The U.S.-Russia Plan Gives Trump a $300 Billion Signing Bonus
  4. 4
    Has Trump’s America Gone Rogue?
  5. 5
    The Philippine Government Is Creaking Under the Weight of Scandal