Something New is On the Horizon
We are currently upgrading our digital home to better serve our global community. Our full website is temporarily offline, but our mission doesn't stop. You can still engage with us using the quick links below.
Thank you for your patience, we can’t wait to show you what we’ve been building!
The YPFP website is currently only fully optimized for standard desktop and mobile devices. Our website currently has limited functionality on tablet screens. Our team is actively working on full tablet accessibility, and we hope to have it fully live soon! In the meantime, you can try switching your tablet browser to "Desktop" mode to view the full interface or join us on mobile.
To prevent any disruption to your YPFP experience however, you can still use the quick links below to become a member, log in to your member profile, view upcoming events, donate, or check out our socials.
Thank you for your patience while we upgrade your network!
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Machine Overmatch: What Salt Typhoon Reveals About China’s Data-Centric Intelligence Strategy
Ashley Ruiz
War on the Rocks
Autonomous Ghosts are Reshaping Irregular Warfare and Maritime Security
Laurel Baker
Irregular Warfare Initiative
Recent Articles
Rising Experts Program
Early-career foreign policy professionals face a common hurdle in getting their writing published. Publications prefer writers who already have notable bylines, but building an initial portfolio requires editorial relationships and an understanding of what different outlets want—knowledge that typically accumulates over the course of years through trial and error.
The Rising Experts Program serves as an intellectual and professional incubator by providing professional editorial support, access to outlet editors, and sustained engagement with a cohort of peers on similar trajectories.
Over the course of a year, participants transform their expertise into published work and build relationships that extend beyond the program.
Applications are open from November 1, 2025, to December 15, 2025. Interviews and evaluations will take place in January 2026, with final selection and onboarding in February.
We select 15-20 participants annually and receive substantially more qualified applications than available positions; we encourage candidates to apply early.
Current Cohort
Becoming a Rising Expert
The application process is highly selective. Candidates undergo writing evaluations and interviews designed to assess both analytical capability and readiness for intensive editorial collaboration. We're looking for professionals who already write clearly, possess genuine expertise in their focus area, and can articulate complex policy arguments for educated general audiences. Successful candidates have come from a wide range of sectors, including government, think tanks, nonprofits, private companies, academia, and journalism. The program is writing-intensive but designed to fit alongside full-time professional responsibilities for candidates who manage their time effectively.