Staying up to date on all of global security’s hot topics can be a daunting task. You may feel overwhelmed and not know where to begin. How do you know which sources you should use? How do you learn about the context if you feel behind? Learning more about what’s going on in the world is important. You’ll be able to make more educated decisions when offering your opinion or voting. The following are some good resources to start with.

Online News

The internet is a great resource to find news about international security. However, don’t just settle for reading opinions on social media! Take some time to read articles from a major, credible, news outlet. You should choose some that are well known and feature authors from a variety of backgrounds who don’t all share the same political philosophies.

Think tanks also publish high-quality and often free articles about specific topics or regions of the world. They are another good source to learn more about current events, especially as they relate to international security.

Email Newsletters or Podcasts

Many news sources offer a daily email newsletter that features the latest breaking news. This is a great way to spend a few minutes in the morning reading about all the latest in global security.

If you prefer not to spend time reading, some sources offer podcasts. That way you can listen to a breakdown of the news on your commute or while you complete other tasks. You can check to see if your favorite news outlet offers a podcast, or you can find independent podcasts on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Books

Don’t overlook books! They may not cover news down to the last minute like you’ll see on major news outlets, but they’ll provide very valuable, in-depth context. If you often hear about a topic in the news but feel you don’t know enough about it, a book can help you catch up. Choose a topic or region you’d like to focus on, and then visit your local bookstore or library and see what’s available.

Staying up-to-date with events in international security may be daunting at first. However, you will soon find yourself settling into a routine of reading or listening to the news and finding sources you love!