Thomas Friedman

Thomas L. Friedman (born July 20, 1953) is an American journalist, columnist, and author, currently working as an Op-Ed columnist for the New York Times. His columns, concentrating mainly on foreign affairs, appear in the Op ed page on Wednesdays and Fridays. Friedman is known for advocating a compromise peace between Israel and the Palestinians, modernization of the Arab world, and globalization and laissez-faire capitalism, while sometimes remarking on their potential pitfalls. His books address various aspects of international politics, from a centrist perspective on the political spectrum.

Return to the United States, New York Times column

During the administration of George H.W. Bush, he covered Secretary of State James Baker; following the election of Bill Clinton, he became the Times White House correspondent. After covering the White House until 1994, he covered the intersection of foreign policy and economics. He then moved to the op-ed page of the Times as a foreign affairs columnist in 1995.

Related Topics:
George H.W. Bush - Secretary of State - James Baker - Bill Clinton - 1994 - Foreign policy - Economics - 1995

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As a columnist, Friedman initially focused on his previous beat, looking at the intersection of global politics and finance. This look at globalization was summarized in his 1999 book, The Lexus and the Olive Tree. The two objects in the title symbolized the interaction between globalization and local tradition: the Lexus represented a desire for material wealth and a higher standard of living, while the Olive Tree represented a desire for heritage, community, and uniqueness in a global world. The book also discussed the role of new technology in reshaping global politics, especially the rise of the Internet and telecommunications.

Related Topics:
Finance - 1999 - Technology - Internet - Telecommunications

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