Introducing Cosmopolitics by Elise Labott: A guide to understanding your world and the people who run it
Also: How foreign policy is different in Trump 2.0, how it matters to your future, and how there may actually be a method to the “madness”
Dear Zivvy Community,
When we launched Zivvy, we had a clear mission: deliver non-biased, fact-based news that speaks to Gen Z. You've trusted us to cut through the noise and deliver stories that matter to your future. Today, we are excited to announce we're taking that mission global.
Meet Cosmopolitics, our sister publication hosted by Zivvy Founder and veteran foreign affairs journalist Elise Labott. If that name sounds familiar, it's because Elise has spent decades making complex international stories make sense – from covering seven secretaries of state to traveling to more than 100 countries as CNN's Global Affairs Correspondent. She is currently the Edward R. Murrow Press Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. And now she's bringing that expertise to you.
Why does this matter? Because in today's world, understanding what's happening beyond our borders isn't just interesting – it's essential. Whether it's trade policies affecting the price of your coffee or global conflicts reshaping alliances, international events impact your daily life and future opportunities.
Here's what you're getting:
Stories that connect international events to your life
Clear, no-nonsense and unbiased analysis of America's role in the world
Inside access to global trends and policy debates
A guide to understanding your world better
The best part? All Zivvy subscribers will receive Cosmopolitics in their inbox. Most content will be free, but for those wanting to go deeper, we will be offering a premium community at $6/month that includes:
Exclusive content
Private chats with Elise and special guests
Virtual happy hours to discuss breaking news
A dedicated podcast
And if you're already a paid Zivvy subscriber, you'll get premium Cosmopolitics access free for the first year
There's no shortage of people shouting about daily news. What's missing is thoughtful analysis that helps you understand why it matters. That's what Cosmopolitics delivers – an insider's guide to your world, explained with the same commitment to non-partisan, fact-based reporting you've come to expect from Zivvy.
We're proud of the platform we've built together. Adding Elise's deep expertise and global perspective makes it even stronger. As the world becomes more complex, we're doubling down on our mission to inform, engage, and empower the next generation of leaders.
Want to join us? Follow us on Instagram and TikTok, slide into our DMs on Substack, or reply to this email. We're building this community together, and your voice matters.
Here's to understanding our world better, together.
The Zivvy Team
P.S. No pressure if this isn't your thing – you can unsubscribe anytime. But we hope you'll stick around as we explore this next chapter.
Here’s a peek at the type of content to expect from Cosmopolitics:
How foreign policy is different in Trump 2.0
By Elise Labott
Foreign policy can seem like a chaotic mess of tariffs, treaties, and diplomatic drama. But as someone who's covered seven administrations, I'm here to break down what's actually happening with Trump's return to the global stage – and why it matters to your future.
First, let's talk about what's different this time around. Trump isn't just throwing diplomatic hand grenades – there may actually be a method to what critics call madness. His recent moves, from threatening tariffs on Canada and Mexico to challenging Chinese influence in the Panama Canal, suggest a more strategic approach than the "chaos president" headlines would have you believe.
Take his foreign policy team. Marco Rubio as Secretary of State isn't your typical Trump pick – he's a China hawk with serious foreign policy chops who impressed both parties in his confirmation hearings. And while the choice of Tulsi Gabbard for intelligence chief is raising eyebrows, it signals Trump's willingness to bring in unconventional voices who challenge the foreign policy establishment.
But here's where it gets real for you: Trump's approach to trade and international relations could reshape everything from the price of your avocado toast (no joke – those Mexican tariffs could hit food prices hard) to the future of global commerce. His threat of 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods isn't just tough talk – it could impact prices on everything from cars to gas.
The "Trump Effect" is already showing some results, though. Before even taking office, his mere election helped break the diplomatic logjam on Gaza hostage negotiations. His willingness to walk away from the table – whether it's with China, NATO allies, or Middle Eastern partners – creates leverage that traditional diplomacy just can't match.
What makes Trump uniquely positioned for this moment is his immunity to conventional political constraints. He can push Israel without being called anti-Semitic. He can negotiate with China without being labeled soft. He can demand more from European allies without being accused of abandoning NATO. It's not pretty, but it often works.
Take his controversial proposal about Greenland and the Panama Canal. Easy to mock? Sure. But beneath the bombastic delivery lies a coherent focus on US security and countering Chinese influence. This isn't about real estate deals – it's about strategic positioning in a world where economic and military power are increasingly intertwined.
Trump's response might be aggressive, but it recognizes a real threat to American economic power. His threat of tariffs against countries trying to ditch the dollar shows he understands what's at stake for America's future global influence.
Here's what matters for your generation: The world is shifting beneath our feet. The traditional rules of international relations – the ones in your textbooks – are being rewritten. Trump's unconventional approach, backed by a more experienced team this time around, might be exactly what's needed to navigate this new reality.
Is it perfect? Far from it. Those tariffs could hit your wallet hard. International tensions could affect everything from study abroad opportunities to global job prospects. But the status quo wasn't working either.
The real question isn't whether Trump will shake things up – he will. It's whether his dealmaker approach can translate into lasting achievements that enhance American interests and global stability. That's what I'll be analyzing in the weeks ahead – giving credit where it's due while calling out missteps when they happen.
Because here's the truth: While the foreign policy establishment clutches its pearls, Trump's "jazz hands" diplomacy might be what America needs right now. The traditional playbook hasn't delivered solutions in Gaza, Ukraine, or in deterring adversaries. Sometimes it takes a disruptor to break through diplomatic gridlock.
Stay tuned – this isn't your parents' foreign policy anymore.
↪Dig deeper on Trump’s foreign policy
➤ Tulsi Gabbard’s views on Russia, Syria, Trump and government surveillance — in her own words (AP)
➤ Trump’s tariffs would reverse decades of integration between U.S. and Mexico (New York Times)
➤ These prices could climb within days if Trump slaps tariffs on Canada and Mexico (ABC News)
➤ Colombian president asks undocumented Colombians in the United States to return (NBC News)
➤ Pentagon shocked by Trump’s order to house migrants in Guantanamo Bay (Politico)
🌎 Around the world
➤ American-Israeli Keith Siegel, 2 other hostages released in Gaza in 3rd exchange of Israel-Hamas ceasefire (CBS News)
➤ Your phone, a rare metal and the war in DR Congo (BBC)
🗳️ Politics
➤ Federal employees confused, angered by Trump’s offer to quit (CNN)
➤ Trump says he opened California’s water. Local officials say he nearly flooded them. (Politico)
➤ Trump criticized DEI and the FAA's diversity policies after a deadly plane crash. Here's what we know. (CBS News)
🗞️ US News
➤ Washington crash renews concerns about air safety lapses (New York Times)
➤ Six people dead after plane crashes into Northeast Philly neighborhood (Axios)
👩💻 Technology
➤ American teens are increasingly misled by fake content online, report shows (CNN)
🍿Pop Culture
➤ Will Emilia Pérez star Karla Sofía Gascón's offensive X posts derail the Oscar favourite's chances? (BBC)
➤ Lady Gaga performs touching tribute, Nirvana reunites and music’s biggest stars catch up backstage at L.A. FireAid benefit concert (Hollywood Reporter)
➤ Inside the Grammys’ decision to go ahead amid L.A. wildfires: ‘We have to do everything we can to help’ (Variety)
🙏 Thanks for reading!
We are looking forward to hearing from you as we build our community. Reply to this email, drop us a note here, or slide into our DMs on Substack with your thoughts. And don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and TikTok for more news.