Markos Kounalakis
- Foreign Affairs Columnist, Miami Herald
- Foreign Affairs Columnist, McClatchy Media
- Foreign Affairs Columnist, McClatchy DC
- Fellow, Hoover Institution
California, San Francisco, Stanford
As seen in:
Hoover Institution,
McClatchy DC,
McClatchy Media,
Miami Herald,
Holistic Women's Health,
CNN International,
Medium,
MSN,
MSN Canada,
MSN UK,
Bloomberg News,
Yahoo News,
CBS News,
Fox News
and
Covers:
Foreign affairs
California's 1st "Second Gentleman" & Total Political Spouse @EleniForCA Hoover Institution Fellow - Foreign Affairs Analyst & Journalism Junkie - M/C Ducati
Interview
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes. Portable red Olivetti Lettera 32 with Swedish keys. Still pull it out on occasion.
How is social media changing news?
In every way. From research to distribution, business model to political influence, as per my latest book: Spin Wars and Spy Games
What does it mean to be a journalist?
It means I am curious about everything. Being a journalist also makes me a better husband, dad, and drinking buddy. I have good stories.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Curveballs. Always interested in foreign affairs stories coming from unexpected sources or angles.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Moleskine notebooks, 3x5 cards, iPhone Notes app, and a MacBook with Google Docs to draft, link, and edit final copy.
What's your favorite social network?
The coffee shop or a dark bar.
Who do you wish followed you?
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo
Why did you become a journalist?
Because I believe in truth and justice. It is that simple.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
Yes. I made my earliest mistakes at The Lowell. Dangling participles were a recurring feature of my writing.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Avoid donuts.
When's the best time to pitch you?
After a few drinks.
What's your favorite drink?
Water.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
On my Ducati motorcycle, riding to my Hoover Institution office on the Stanford University campus.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
Washington Monthly. Dagens Nyheter (Swedish). Kathimerini (Greek).
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
Who says nobody cares about foreign affairs? Everyone is affected, whether directly or indirectly. Audiences care.
Would you like to take the Muck Rack Interview?
Create a Muck Rack profile.