Foreign Policy magazine announces FP Twitterati 100

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Twitter began with a simple idea, a text message service allowing instant communication within small groups. Today, it has transformed into a global network, wielding enough political power to influence public opinion and topple regimes.

Often, the smallest steps can lead to enormous change; with Twitter, change comes 140 characters at a time.

With the number of Twitter users reaching nearly 550 million, and 135,000 new users signing up every day, many of the world’s most crucial conversations have been through the microblogging site.

Foreign Policy Magazine announced the annual “FP Twitterati 100,” a list of the political, financial and business leaders who administer wisdom one tweet at a time.  Follow some of these fascinating people, who can help you understand world events (courtesy www.foreignpolicy.com):

  • Carl Bildt (@carlbildt): Swedish foreign minister and one of the most outspoken diplomats around.
  • Bill Clinton (@billclinton): 42nd U.S. president, Clinton Foundation founder, and Mick Jagger’s BFF.
  • Hillary Clinton (@hillaryclinton): The former U.S. secretary of state and human meme-generator doesn’t tweet at the same rate these days, but you’ll need to keep an eye on this feed as 2016 looms.
  • Pope Francis (@Pontifex): This feed, available in multiple languages, including Latin, is not only the best way to keep tabs on the unpredictable pontiff’s travels and activities. Following it can now actually get you into heaven.
  • John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain): Leader of the loyal opposition.
  • Michael McFaul (@McFaul): Barack Obama’s ambassador to Russia, live and sometimes uncensored.
  • Branko Milanovic (@BrankoMilan): Expert on international inequality, soccer superfan.
  • Emily Oster (@ProfEmilyOster): University of Chicago economist and must-follow for social science geeks.
  • Nouriel Roubini (@Nouriel): New York University professor of economics and international business; prophet of doom.
  • Felix Salmon (@FelixSalmon): Eclectic finance blogger for Reuters.
  • Joseph Weisenthal (@TheStalwart): Hyperactive executive editor at Business Insider.
  • Ali Gharib (@Ali_Gharib): Brooklyn-based Middle East blogger and regular Daily Beast contributor. 
  • Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald): Love him or hate him, after he made PRISM a household name this year, you can’t afford to ignore him.
  • Lauren Wolfe (@Wolfe321): Director of the Women Under Siege project and expert on gender and conflict. 
  • Blake Hounshell (@blakehounshell): Former FP managing editor, now deputy editor of Politico magazine; still tweeting valuable insights on world news at a superhuman rate.

Read the entire FP Twitterati list on Foreignpolicy.com.

Phil Ammann is a St. Petersburg-based journalist and blogger. With more than three decades of writing, editing and management experience, Phil produced material for both print and online, in addition to founding HRNewsDaily.com. His broad range includes covering news, local government and culture reviews for Patch.com, technical articles and profiles for BetterRVing Magazine and advice columns for a metaphysical website, among others. Phil has served as a contributor and production manager for SaintPetersBlog since 2013. He lives in St. Pete with his wife, visual artist Margaret Juul and can be reached at [email protected] and on Twitter @PhilAmmann.