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Veterans: Hurry up and pitch! New writing project begins now

We are looking for former U.S. service members who want to engage in investigative journalism, reporting, and op-eds

Reporting | QiOSK

Are you a veteran with a story to tell? A journalist covering military or veteran issues? An investigative reporter uncovering critical stories about those who serve? Responsible Statecraft wants to hear from you.

We’re seeking compelling pitches from veterans: storytellers, journalists, and first-time writers with unique perspectives on military and veteran-related topics within a realism & restraint point of view. We especially welcome well-researched investigative pieces. Competitive rates are offered, with higher rates for in-depth, thoroughly sourced investigations.

Examples of Pitch Topics:

  • Is the culture of U.S. Special Forces changing?
  • A week alongside a military recruiter—what I learned.
  • Investigating contaminated water at [X] base.
  • What’s driving the mental health crisis among veterans?
  • What does SecDef Hegseth mean by “going back to basics”?
  • A personal account of military service and its impact on your worldview.
  • Why “ending forever wars” resonates with some veterans.
  • People talk about the military industrial complex, here is what I experienced in it.

Important: Please send pitches, not completed pieces, along with a bio and links to any other published pieces, if available.

Acceptance of a pitch does not guarantee publication of the final article.

Send to veterans@quincyinst.org. We look forward to your stories!


Top photo credit: U.S. Army National Guard Soldiers rest while waiting for the next event at the Region VI Best Warrior Competition, at Camp Rilea, near Warrenton, Oregon, May 5, 2021. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Cpl. Mikailla Brownfield)
Reporting | QiOSK
Merz Macron Starmer Zelensky
Top image credit: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukranian President Voloydmyr Zelensky, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk walk in the grounds of the Mariynsky Palace, in Kyiv, Ukraine, May 10, 2025. Ludovic Marin/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

Europe's sticks are a little limp

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As the Istanbul peace talks get underway, Europe’s response to the Russia-Ukraine war exposes its profound weakness and reliance on U.S. support, with leaders like France’s Emmanuel Macron, Britain’s Keir Starmer, and Germany’s Friedrich Merz resorting to bluffs that lack substance.

The European trio, after visiting Kyiv and meeting with the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on May 10, issued Russia a 30-day ceasefire ultimatum to begin on May 12, threatening severe sanctions in case of Moscow’s non-compliance. Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed it, offering talks in Istanbul without a truce instead, in line with Russia’s insistence that the “root causes” of the conflict be addressed, including Ukraine’s potential NATO membership.

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Top photo credit: okanakdeniz/shutterstock

Istanbul 2.0: Know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em

Europe

The biggest achievement of today’s Istanbul talks is that they are even taking place. U.S. engagement will remain vital to getting a peace deal over the line. Russia’s desire for a reset with Washingtonmay keep them on track.

I have a sense of déjà vu as I contemplate these long-overdue peace talks between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul. In April 2022, Ukraine and Russia were close to agreeing a peace treaty, less than two months after war started. However, this came crashing down amid claims that western governments, in particular the United States and the United Kingdom encouraged Ukraine to keep fighting.

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Top photo credit: Dislocated Palestinians wait in line with pots in their hands to receive relief meals from a charity kitchen in Gaza City, on May 3, 2025. (Photo by Majdi Fathi/NurPhoto)

The desperation of Gaza famine denialism

Middle East

As the risk of famine spreads across Gaza — and as shocking images of overcrowded soup lines stream from Gaza daily — an influential network of Israeli government defenders has emerged to tell you that none of this is happening at all.

The Free Press — a pro-Israel media outlet often sympathetic to the neoconservative worldview — published a highly circulated article last week from journalist Michael Ames titled, “The Gaza Famine Myth,” which purports to demonstrate that food security in Gaza has been far above the famine and crisis levels that international humanitarian organizations have observed since at least early 2024.

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