Joseph Clark (journalist)

Joseph Clark (born c. 1900, died October 13, 1991) was an American journalist, editor, and author known for his long career covering Soviet and Eastern European affairs, particularly from a left-wing perspective that evolved over time.

Clark began his career in the 1920s and 1930s, associated with communist and pro-Soviet publications. He was a frequent contributor to The Daily Worker and New Masses, often writing under the pseudonym "James West." His early writings reflected the prevailing pro-Soviet sentiment among many American leftists of the era.

Following World War II and the onset of the Cold War, Clark's views underwent a significant shift. He became increasingly critical of the Soviet Union and its policies, particularly its suppression of dissent and human rights.

Clark served as the foreign editor of Jewish Currents magazine for many years, a position he held until his death. In that role, he offered commentary and analysis on international events, with a particular focus on the Soviet Union, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East. His writings for Jewish Currents often examined the situation of Jews within the Soviet bloc and criticized Soviet anti-Semitism.

Clark authored several books, including America's Aid to Nazi Germany (1942), written early in his career. This book reflected his earlier pro-Soviet views. Later works focused on his changing perspective on communism and the Soviet Union. He is remembered for his complex and evolving relationship with the ideology he initially embraced and later critiqued.