The journal provides interdisciplinary analysis with articles covering an array of international relations fields that include humanitarian studies, security studies, development studies, international law, international business, regional Studies, international politics, environmental studies, and diplomacy. Works in the journal have been cited in other specialized scholarly journals, books, and in policy-making, as well as having been republished in other outlets. The Fletcher Forum includes feature articles, book reviews, interviews and editorials. While the current issue is available for purchase, most articles from previous issues are individually available for download through the journal's website, or through Tufts Digital Library archives.
The journal was established in the fall of 1976 as The Fletcher Forum: A Journal of Graduate Studies in International Affairs. The director was Jeffrey A. Sheehan and the editorial board was chaired by Shashi Tharoor. The journal obtained its current name in 1989. In 2006, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the journal, Tharoor explained in a retrospective article in The Forum how the journal was created principally "as an outlet for student research and writing", but that over time it had become an "established journal" in its field, "attracting contributors of great distinction and attaining the exacting standards the world has come to expect from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy." The issue also highlighted some of the notable contributors, including Kofi Annan, John Bolton, Javier Perez de Cuellar, Paul H. Nitze. In another article in the journal, Ambassador Stephen Bosworth during his tenure as the Dean of the Fletcher School, called it "a major publication of international affairs", which provides an outlet for "thoughtful leaders in international affairs to share their insight on our changing world.", "as the world's political focus moves away from superpower domination and continues to struggle with issues of economic growth, human rights, and climate change."
Supplemental issues
The journal has published some special issues, as third issues within the corresponding academic year's volume:
Papers and presentations from a special conference held at the Fletcher School on September 30, 2004
A collection of speeches and papers presented at the conference "Non-proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction: Current Challenges and New Approaches", cosponsored by the Fletcher School and the American Academy of Diplomacy, held on October 21, 2005
Celebration of The Fletcher School's 80th anniversary,
Editors-in-chief
The volumes and their editorial board composition typically follows the academic year cycle, beginning in the fall of a year, and finishing in the summer of the following one. The following persons have been editor-in-chief:
