Foreign Policy
Articles about Foreign Policy
Here’s What to Do About Trump’s War Crimes
Despite the obstacles, foreign governments and U.S. lawmakers can begin the process of holding the president accountable.
China’s AI Rollout Has No Off Switch
Beijing may talk about safety, but its model of AI diffusion is made to go rogue.
What Does China’s New Military Base in Laos Mean?
Beijing’s third overseas base is also its second in Southeast Asia.
How to Avoid Disaster in the Next Iran War
Recent war games highlight how Washington can improve its air defenses so the next round of fighting isn’t worse.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey Trigger Mutual Defense Pact
Even the threat of joint involvement could dramatically shift the Saudi-Houthi conflict.
Why Chinese Parents Don’t Want Two Kids
Beijing is pushing for bigger families, but the realities of childbirth and early parenting make it a hard sell.
What’s Freezing the U.S. Housing Market?
A hot, AI-driven economy certainly plays a role.
China Doesn’t Need to Invade Taiwan to Control It
A bloodless political victory may be far harder for Washington to handle.
Trump’s Red-Dye Diesel Plan Has a Major Flaw
Cutting fuel taxes for truckers might bring a little relief, but it won’t add any new supplies.
How Much More Trump Trouble Can Indonesia’s Prabowo Take?
Jakarta’s attempts to align with Washington face a growing backlash at home.
AI Made the List—but Humans Still Did the Killing
In the film “NAZA,” Israeli soldiers reveal the workings of autonomous warfare.
Sánchez Calls Snap Elections Over Spain’s Housing Crisis
The vote’s timing makes it a litmus test for progressive politics across Europe.
France’s Catholic Revival Is Fueling Its Far Right
French religiosity is surging—in tandem with political extremism.
Russia’s Air War Aims to Bleed Ukraine Dry
Vladimir Putin’s latest plan for victory puts a cease-fire well out of reach.
How the U.S. Can Once Again Lead on Human Rights
In the post-Trump era, Washington will need to regain credibility. Pluralism is where it should start.
Europe’s Chance to Revive Middle East Peace
History suggests that when Washington loses interest, the Europeans step in.
Israel’s Government Is in Thrall to ‘the Concept’
A Hebrew term for complacent blindness still captures Netanyahu’s policies.
How to Fix Our Global Malaise
Focusing on local communities can have a surprising international effect.
The Year Hollywood Changed the National Security Debate
In 1983, two movies sought to educate and alarm the public about the risks of new technologies.
G-7 Agrees to Release 100 Million Barrels of Reserve Diesel
The White House had threatened to ban U.S. diesel exports if Europe did not step up.
Where Does Russia’s Violent Imperialism Come From?
A new book provides some helpful—if not always spot-on—answers.
The Illicit World of Sea Cucumbers
How a rare delicacy in Asia drives crime oceans away.
What in the World?
Test yourself on the week of Sept. 26: Trump pressures Zelensky, Venezuelans protest, and Morocco picks a new prime minister.
The Trauma Plot to Destroy America
A new book examines how narratives about psychological harm have come to dominate public life.
What’s at Stake in Brazil’s Election
Results would have broad implications on foreign policy.
‘What Is Happening Today Is Development in Reverse’
A conversation with UNDP chief Alexander De Croo about building infrastructure in active conflict zones.
Pashinyan Confronts the Karabakh Cause
A crackdown on refugees pits peace against democracy in Armenia.
How China Managed the Oil Shock
Beijing concentrated the impact on refiners, not the public.
The Forces Shaping Brazil’s Election
How gender, civil-military relations, and the economy help explain the contest.
Hegseth Wants More
The U.S. defense secretary announced ambitious plans in a “State of the Force” speech.
Violent Student Protests Loom Over France’s Budget Proposal
Paris is hoping to rein in the country’s deficit and avoid another no-confidence vote.
Modi Faces Protest Threat Over Election Commission Scandal
India’s opposition parties and the Cockroach movement are ready to march over fresh allegations of bias.
Oil Is Again Flowing Out of Hormuz
But the continued shortfall of refined products means little relief at the pump.
A Space-Launch Crash Is Coming
What happens after SpaceX’s most popular vehicle leaves the market?
‘Everyone Is Depleted’
Yemen was already in crisis. Then civil war broke out again.
How AI Anxiety Turns Into Extremism
Despite shared concerns, stark differences exist in perceptions of AI in the United States and China.
Would Better U.S.-China Ties Harm India?
Washington and New Delhi have more to focus on than Beijing.
U.S. Forces Leave Behind a Power Vacuum in Iraq
Washington’s adversaries, including Iran and the Islamic State, are likely to take advantage of the pullout.
How Far Can Russia Probe NATO’s Collective Defense?
Latvia’s president warns that Putin’s “appetite for risk is increasing.”
Ethiopia’s Return to War Threatens to Engulf the Horn of Africa
Analysts fear that the renewed conflict could quickly draw in other regional actors.
Trump Unleashed
How the U.S. president might escalate against Iran after the midterm elections.
The Case for Trump’s Global Strategy
U.N. ambassador Mike Waltz on Iran, Sudan, China, Russia, and more.
Lula Bets Big on Defense Ahead of Election
Brazil’s leftist leader has unusually put military spending at the heart of his campaign.
The Left’s New Rallying Cry Is ‘Expropriation’
Germany’s leftist party swept to victory in Berlin by vowing to confiscate and socialize housing.
How Far Will the Canada-EU Lovefest Go?
Both Ottawa and Brussels have good reasons to improve ties, but the EU will need to become more flexible.
Everyone Got Pete Hegseth Wrong
The secretary of defense is now the most influential senior official in the Trump administration.
Thailand’s Demographic Crisis Arrives Early
The country faces a plummeting birth rate sooner than some of its global south peers.
Why Have Indonesia’s Fires Gotten So Bad?
This could be their worst-ever year.
Spain’s Housing Reform
Mass protests over an 87-year-old’s eviction prompt new proposed legislation.
Was Xi’s U.S. Visit a Bust?
In the U.S.-China relationship at present, nothing might be better than something.
Is Egypt’s Diplomacy Clever or Clumsy?
Regional wars have required Cairo to maneuver between competing demands.
Trump’s Global Tariffs Are Likely to Fail in Court (Again)
Despite having a better legal foundation than past attempts, these duties may also be struck down.
Don’t Ban Diesel Exports
Trump’s proposed solution to rising diesel prices would backfire economically and geopolitically.
Russia’s Sahel Intervention Is Riskier Than It Looks
No one—not least in postcolonial West Africa—loves an army of occupation.
The True Meaning of Russia’s Sham Election
Even rigged elections used to be an outlet for discontent. That avenue is now closed.
Turkey Is Turning Its Breadbasket Into an Oil Hub
As wars disrupt traditional export routes, Ankara is moving quickly to capitalize—at the expense of the last standing heartland of the Fertile Crescent.
Why Nobody Can End the War in Ukraine
It’s in everyone’s interest to stop the fighting. That’s still not enough.
What Xi Actually Thinks of Trump
China’s president has likely concluded that the U.S. under Trump has lost its way.
The U.S. and China Agree to Slash Tariffs
The cuts are on $60 billion worth of goods—but, crucially, soybeans aren’t included.
How Trump Is Sparking a Slovenian Website Boom
The president’s call to rebrand AI as “super intelligence” has led to a surge of interest in Slovenia’s “.si” web domain.
Brazil Has No Answers for Its China Problem
The country’s troubling relationship to China is at the center of its presidential campaign.
Trump’s ‘Greater North America’ Is Fascist Geopolitics
The administration’s hemispheric vision has dangerous roots and dangerous implications.
John D. Rockefeller Is a Cautionary Tale for Today’s Business Titans
The oil tycoon was celebrated as a pioneer before the public turned on him.
Ethiopia Returns to Civil War
The Tigray People’s Liberation Front, now allied with six other armed groups, hopes to oust Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
6 Russian Words for a Country Sliding Into Authoritarianism
How ordinary people describe power, repression, absurdity, and life under Putin.
‘Furious’ Is an Angry Show for the World of Epstein and Trump
A tumultuous TV thriller delves into damage and revenge.
The Twilight of the Francis Fukuyama Era
The famous thinker’s new memoir reveals a fateful political and intellectual blind spot.
Big Tech Is Destroying Democracy. Here’s How to Fight Back
A conversation with Nobel laureate Maria Ressa.
Gulf States Are Hedging and Suffering
Neither appealing to Washington nor diversifying security partners nor back-channeling with Tehran is insulating the region from the consequences of war.
The U.S.-Saudi Nuclear Agreement Carries Proliferation Risks
Congress should add extra safeguards to prevent Riyadh from obtaining nuclear weapons.
What Arab Israelis Really Think About Israel’s Election
Ethnic Arabs could decide Israel's coming election—and its democratic future.
Venezuela’s Acting Leader Makes Her U.N. Debut
Delcy Rodríguez played stateswoman in New York—but gave no timeline for elections.
The Woman Remaking Brazil’s Far Right
Former first lady Michelle Bolsonaro is playing a key role in her stepson’s presidential campaign.
Netanyahu Faces an UNGA Walkout (Again)
The Israeli prime minister defended his country’s actions in Gaza and Iran—and lashed out at Mamdani.
Trump and Xi Talked a Lot but Accomplished Little
The White House summit concluded with much fanfare but few breakthroughs.
Saudi Arabia Bribed the Wrong People
Riyadh’s bet on Trumpism has failed.
China’s Human Rights Crisis Hasn’t Disappeared
Trump should raise the fates of imprisoned dissidents with Xi.
Can AI Be Regulated?
Frontier AI labs are calling for government oversight.
The Law of the Sea Is in Trouble
The far right wants to abandon stranded seafarers.
Thank Goodness Europe Doesn’t Have a Phone Number
U.S. policymakers like complaining about one of the sources of the European Union’s strength.
Germany Is Officially Adrift
The German chancellor’s power is ebbing at home—and the consequences will be global.
Iran’s UNGA Moment
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called the U.S. government “terrorists.”
Jaishankar Leads India’s UNGA Delegation
New Delhi’s top diplomat aims to push back against new U.S. tariffs on countries buying Russian oil.
A $2.45 Billion Recovery Plan for Gaza
Trump claims to have brought peace to the territory. Now, he is trying to deliver it.
What to Know About Djibouti’s Refugee Crisis
The widening Houthi campaign along the Red Sea is further destabilizing the region.
How to Create a Billion Jobs
World Bank President Ajay Banga explains how he’s navigating a generational challenge.
The World Needs to Know When AI Goes Wrong
Global reporting standards are a key step toward safety.
The Iran War Might Be Somaliland’s Chance for Recognition
The unrecognized republic is pitching itself as a strategic ally for Washington.
Trump Wants to Ban Diesel Exports. It Won’t Help
Government interference in the world’s largest oil-producing state would be counterproductive.
What Machiavelli Would Say About Trump
The U.S. president offers a guide on how to be a very bad prince.
Malaysia’s Top Crook Gets Leniency
Reformers who had pinned hope on Anwar to clean things up are enraged.
A Tale of Two UNGA Speeches
U.S. President Donald Trump made threats, while outgoing U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres called for peace and multilateralism.
Trump Threatens to ‘Annihilate’ Iran in U.N. Speech
Such warnings—on the U.N. stage, no less—could be considered war crimes.
Xi Comes to Washington Armed With a Rare-Earth Card
Trump still doesn’t have an answer to China’s leverage.
The West Is Sending Russia the Wrong Signals
Europe’s fear of escalation is encouraging Putin.
Don’t Expect Fireworks From the Trump-Xi Summit
Trade, minerals, and AI are on the agenda, but breakthroughs are unlikely.
How AI Fits Into Humanity’s Troubling History
Like nuclear weapons, AI was born of human ingenuity. But its challenges are unique.
How Canada Is Navigating Trump’s Threats
A conversation with Foreign Minister Anita Anand.
‘Scorpions in a Bottle’: What the U.N. Can Do About AI Safety
A conversation with the multilateral institution’s top tech envoy.
Washington Should Embrace Space Warfare
Space is already becoming militarized. The U.S. shouldn’t let adversaries take the lead.
Japan’s New CIA Could Be Takaichi’s Trump Card
After decades of reticence, Tokyo is expanding its intelligence gathering abroad.
Will Inuit in Canada Turn to China?
Amid strained ties with Ottawa, some Indigenous leaders are suggesting that they may pursue new partnerships.
Trump’s ‘Economic D-Day’ Against Iran Risks U.S. Ties With China
The sanctions could trigger a trade war between Washington and Beijing.
UNGA Convenes With Uncertainty on the Horizon
This year’s high-level gathering takes place as the Guterres era approaches its end.
Trump Announces Deal for ‘Permanent Control’ Over Greenland’s Security
What will the agreement mean for NATO?
Your 2026 UNGA Primer
The race for the new U.N. secretary-general, a Trump-Xi side quest, and runaway AI fears.
How to Bring Peace to Sudan
The president of the country’s Transitional Sovereignty Council argues that any solution must be homemade.
The U.N. Sustainable Development Goals Are Outdated
Countries committed to end poverty. They never accounted for forever wars.
Trump’s Greenland Deal Is a Pyrrhic Victory at Best
Washington can still repair some of the damage done.
The Real Reason Chinese AI Is Winning the Global South
Beijing is happy to let others build using its tools.
Nuclear Energy Is the Kremlin’s Latest Leverage Over Washington
The United States has done little to end its dependence on Russia for enriched uranium.
What Comes After the 1.5 Degree Era
A single global number asked the world to do everything everywhere all at once—and delivered too little.
Taiwan’s Status Is Ambiguous. U.S. Policy Shouldn’t Be
It’s time for the U.S. to embrace strategic clarity.
How Flávio Bolsonaro Sees the World
Brazil’s far-right presidential hopeful wants to step up ties with Washington. But like his father, he would struggle to spurn Beijing.
To Win the Peace, Ukraine Must Cope With Vast Numbers of Veterans
Ukraine must “build the engine while it’s driving the car,” said Vitalii Kim, the country’s new veterans’ affairs minister.
Why Iran’s Lego Clips Are Anything but ‘Stupid’
Marco Rubio should not dismiss this new and highly effective form of propaganda.
Barack Obama and the ‘Most Electable’ Myth
The candidate perceived as the riskiest choice can sometimes offer the clearest path to power.
Russia’s Parliamentary Elections Offer Rituals, Not Results
Polling shows that United Russia is all but certain to maintain its power.
Will Russia Ever Be ‘Normal’?
Empires inevitably decline, and Putin’s project will be no exception.
What in the World?
Test yourself on the week of Sept. 12: Modi and Xi meet, the Houthis fire on Saudi Arabia, and EU leaders gather in Finland.
In War, Trump and Putin Are Much Alike
Washington is emulating Moscow’s ways of fighting wars—and helping it in the process.
Chinese Literature Is Undergoing a Vibe Shift
Beijing long promoted novels about working-class travails. What happens when authors point fingers at the state?
Emily Wilson Chooses Her Words Carefully
The Homeric scholar’s new book on translation is bitingly smart.
How Americanness Overcomes Islamophobia
In Rozina Ali’s new book, four families grapple with the post-9/11 shift.
The Houthi Advance Is About More Than Just Iran
The Saudi-Emirati rivalry is driving moves across the region.
What the BRICS Summit Meant for Brazil
One year after hosting the event, is the country still shaping the bloc?
Trump’s Risky Hack-Back Plan
The U.S. president wants tech companies to go on the cyber-offensive. Will it work?
By Nearly Every Metric, the U.S. Is Losing the Iran War
“It’s irrefutable that the U.S. failed in its main strategic goals,” one expert said.
Sweden’s Right-Wing Reckoning
What was expected to be an easy election win resulted in a narrow victory for the left.
The Lives Built on Colombia’s Peace Deal Are at Risk
The new president is unsettling the combatants who laid down their arms a decade ago.
How Do You Dismantle a Propaganda Machine?
Peter Magyar is on a mission to restore Hungarians’ faith in public media.
China, Not Iran, Is Trump’s Real Foreign-Policy Debacle
In 19 months, Washington has lost ground to Beijing on every conceivable front.
What’s the Matter With Eastern Germany?
German far-right populism traces back to reunification—but historians disagree about why.
Modi and Xi’s Meeting Caps a Detente
Despite the thaw, India-China rivalry remains inevitable.
The EU’s 28th State?
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen floats making Canada the bloc’s first associate member.
The Fed Bucks Trump and Raises Interest Rates
War-fueled inflation remains too high, the U.S. central bank said, requiring the first hike in three years.
What’s Behind Nigeria’s Military Spending Spree
Ahead of January elections, Bola Tinubu is pulling out all the stops to stem insecurity.
Russia Purges Its Last Anti-War Politicians
Ahead of the first State Duma elections since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, few are left to speak for peace.
Trump, God, and the Struggle for the Chin State
The MAGA movement has been a source of hope and headaches for Myanmar’s Christian diaspora and the rebels they support.
Georgia’s Government Is Using Civility as an Excuse to Crush Critics
New policies against online “vulgarity” target free speech.
Why Existential AI Fears Have Hit a Crescendo
And the complicated geopolitics of slowing down the technology’s development.
The Next Trump-Kim Summit Could Be About North Korea’s Future Ruler
Kim Jong Un may be ready to introduce his daughter on the global stage.
Lebanon’s New Amnesty Law Shows Sunnis’ Growing Power
How regional developments helped Lebanese Islamists get out of jail.
A Bumpy Peace Election in the Philippines
On a majority-Muslim island, federalists are sparring with Islamists.
Trump and Xi Won’t Find Common Ground on AI Safety
The leaders have fundamentally different ideas about the technology and how to regulate it.
Are Drone Incursions Europe’s New Normal?
NATO suspects that Russia is behind the latest airspace violation in Lithuania.
Trump Picks the Wrong Beef Before Midterms
The president’s plan to tame soaring beef prices has alienated a key constituency.
Are Chinese Firms Handing the United States Data?
AI competition may be an unwitting weakness for Beijing.
Brazil’s Election Won’t Fix Its Biggest Problems
Slow growth and corruption have dogged the right and the left.
How Al-Shabab Beat the Peacekeepers
Three missions and billions of U.S. dollars later, the al Qaeda affiliate is stronger than ever in Somalia.
Only China, India, and Russia Can End the Iran War
Washington needs its rivals to create peace on its behalf.
The United States Must Prepare for More Than One Russian Future
Managing the Ukraine conflict is just the beginning of negotiations.
Fresh Houthi Strikes Inject New Uncertainty Into Iran War
As oil prices rise, planned regional talks hit a snag.
Why My Kyiv Visit Worried Me So Much
FP’s editor in chief on the mood in Ukraine—and what it means for the future of war.
The Laws of War Must Change for the Drone Age
Hunting noncombatants from the sky is growing disturbingly common.
Trump Is Killing ‘Strategic Ambiguity’ Over Taiwan
It was once unclear how Washington would defend Taipei—now it’s doubtful it will help at all.
How Congress Empowered Presidential War-Making After 9/11
Its effects continue to shape national security policy today.