menu_open Columnists

Foreign Policy

We use cookies to provide some features and experiences in QOSHE

More information  .  Close

What in the World?

What in the World?

Obviously, we all spent this week watching highlights from Shakira’s weekend performance in Rio de Janeiro. But did you remember to follow along...

previous day 2

Foreign Policy

Drew Gorman

Southeast Asian Leaders Tackle Iran War Vulnerabilities

Southeast Asian Leaders Tackle Iran War Vulnerabilities

Welcome back to World Brief, where we’re looking at Southeast Asia’s response to the Iran war, the uncertain future of Britain’s Labour Party,...

previous day 4

Foreign Policy

Alexandra Sharp

How to Choose a Gift for Trump

How to Choose a Gift for Trump

Foreign & Public Diplomacy Ongoing reports and analysis Protocol officials in the world’s foreign ministries all have horror stories about...

previous day 0

Foreign Policy

Paul brummell

A Foreign Correspondent of Animal Kingdoms

A Foreign Correspondent of Animal Kingdoms

Get audio access with any FP subscription. Subscribe Now ALREADY AN FP SUBSCRIBER? LOGIN Get audio access with any FP subscription. ALREADY AN FP...

previous day 0

Foreign Policy

Christina Larson

A Confused ‘Animal Farm’ for a Confused Time

A Confused ‘Animal Farm’ for a Confused Time

Some authors make such an impact they become adjectives. Without even reading their work most know what “Byronic,” “Dickensian,” and...

previous day 3

Foreign Policy

Jordan Hoffman

Trump’s Tariffs Just Got Struck Down in Court—Again

Trump’s Tariffs Just Got Struck Down in Court—Again

Get audio access with any FP subscription. Subscribe Now ALREADY AN FP SUBSCRIBER? LOGIN Get audio access with any FP subscription. ALREADY AN FP...

previous day 2

Foreign Policy

Keith Johnson

The Surprisingly Normal Streets of Tehran

The Surprisingly Normal Streets of Tehran

While the conflict in Iran has dominated headlines in the last two months, accounts of ordinary life in the Islamic Republic are scarce. On the latest...

previous day 1

Foreign Policy

Ravi Agrawal

The Iran Dilemma Washington Refuses to Resolve

The Iran Dilemma Washington Refuses to Resolve

Foreign & Public Diplomacy Why is the most powerful country on the planet unable to get its way with a much smaller, weaker country that has been...

previous day 1

Foreign Policy

Fareed Zakaria

China Is Transforming Brazil’s Car Market

China Is Transforming Brazil’s Car Market

Welcome back to Foreign Policy’s Latin America Brief. The highlights this week: Chinese firm BYD reshapes Brazil’s auto industry, Argentine health...

previous day 2

Foreign Policy

Catherine Osborn

Who Is Xi’s Real No. 2?

Who Is Xi’s Real No. 2?

Since the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), there has been no shortage of debate over who is President Xi Jinping’s...

thursday 1

Foreign Policy

Deng Yuwen

Starmer Braces for Upsets in U.K. Local Elections

Starmer Braces for Upsets in U.K. Local Elections

Welcome back to World Brief, where we’re looking at expected Labour Party losses in the U.K. local elections, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula...

thursday 2

Foreign Policy

Alexandra Sharp

How the Abraham Accords Fueled a New Era of Conflict

How the Abraham Accords Fueled a New Era of Conflict

Foreign & Public Diplomacy On Sept. 15, 2020, U.S. President Donald Trump presided over the signing of the Abraham Accords between Israel,...

thursday 2

Foreign Policy

Matthew Duss

What’s in Trump’s New Counterterrorism Strategy?

What’s in Trump’s New Counterterrorism Strategy?

Welcome back to Foreign Policy’s Situation Report. Alright, here’s what’s on tap for the day: U.S. President Donald Trump’s new...

thursday 0

Foreign Policy

Rishi Iyengar

How China Is Winning the Global AI Race

How China Is Winning the Global AI Race

Science and Technology Which artificial intelligence model is the most popular these days? Ask anyone in America or Europe, and you’ll probably hear...

thursday 3

Foreign Policy

Agathe Demarais

Vladimir Putin Is Much Weaker Than You Think

Vladimir Putin Is Much Weaker Than You Think

Russia’s War in Ukraine Understanding the conflict four years on. Russian President Vladimir Putin has always been a paranoid man. We know, for...

thursday 0

Foreign Policy

Christian Caryl

U.S. Might Be Close to a Deal With Iran

U.S. Might Be Close to a Deal With Iran

Foreign & Public Diplomacy Welcome back to World Brief, where we’re looking at potential progress in U.S.-Iran talks, Myanmar’s tenuous...

thursday 5

Foreign Policy

Alexandra Sharp

War Handed Public Space Back to Iran’s Regime

War Handed Public Space Back to Iran’s Regime

Iran has entered a critical moment in its postrevolutionary history. Many analyses since the start of the U.S.-Israeli war have focused on the growing...

thursday 0

Foreign Policy

Saeid Golkar

Why Did Beijing Kill a $2 Billion AI Deal?

Why Did Beijing Kill a $2 Billion AI Deal?

Get audio access with any FP subscription. Subscribe Now ALREADY AN FP SUBSCRIBER? LOGIN Get audio access with any FP subscription. ALREADY AN FP...

06.05.2026 2

Foreign Policy

Lizzi C. Lee

The Iran War Is Eroding Israel’s Nuclear Ambiguity

The Iran War Is Eroding Israel’s Nuclear Ambiguity

Earlier this week, 30 House Democrats sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging the United States to publicly acknowledge...

06.05.2026 0

Foreign Policy

Yonatan Touval

Washington Is Still Chasing the Perfect War

Washington Is Still Chasing the Perfect War

Get audio access with any FP subscription. Subscribe Now ALREADY AN FP SUBSCRIBER? LOGIN Get audio access with any FP subscription. ALREADY AN FP...

06.05.2026 0

Foreign Policy

Adam Weinstein

China Tests a Rare Tool in Its Sanctions Arsenal

China Tests a Rare Tool in Its Sanctions Arsenal

Welcome to Foreign Policy’s China Brief. The highlights this week: China blocks companies from complying with U.S. sanctions, Zambia cancels a...

06.05.2026 2

Foreign Policy

James Palmer

The BJP Scores Big in West Bengal

The BJP Scores Big in West Bengal

Welcome to Foreign Policy’s South Asia Brief. The highlights this week: India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party improves its position after...

06.05.2026 1

Foreign Policy

Michael Kugelman

Can a U.S.-Brokered State Budget Help Unite Libya?

Can a U.S.-Brokered State Budget Help Unite Libya?

Welcome to Foreign Policy’s Africa Brief. The highlights this week: Analysts weigh in on what Libya’s unified state budget means for the...

06.05.2026 1

Foreign Policy

Nosmot Gbadamosi

Is the Iran War Pushing Southeast Asia into China’s Arms?

Is the Iran War Pushing Southeast Asia into China’s Arms?

Get audio access with any FP subscription. Subscribe Now ALREADY AN FP SUBSCRIBER? LOGIN Get audio access with any FP subscription. ALREADY AN FP...

06.05.2026 5

Foreign Policy

Alejandro Reyes

The United States’ Korea Strategy Is Working Against Itself

The United States’ Korea Strategy Is Working Against Itself

Get audio access with any FP subscription. Subscribe Now ALREADY AN FP SUBSCRIBER? LOGIN Get audio access with any FP subscription. ALREADY AN FP...

06.05.2026 0

Foreign Policy

Kelly A. Grieco

Iraq’s Continuing Struggle for Sovereignty

Iraq’s Continuing Struggle for Sovereignty

Get audio access with any FP subscription. Subscribe Now ALREADY AN FP SUBSCRIBER? LOGIN Get audio access with any FP subscription. ALREADY AN FP...

06.05.2026 4

Foreign Policy

Mina Al-Oraibi

Iran’s Survival Is Not Victory

Iran’s Survival Is Not Victory

Middle East and North Africa For decades, Iran defined victory in expansive terms: exporting revolution, rolling back U.S. power, and ultimately...

06.05.2026 3

Foreign Policy

Menahem Merhavy

ASEAN’s Angry Summit

ASEAN’s Angry Summit

Welcome to Foreign Policy’s Southeast Asia Brief. The highlights this week: The ASEAN summit looms as frustration with the United States grows, Aung...

06.05.2026 10

Foreign Policy

Joseph Rachman

Iran Has All the Hallmarks of a Forever War

Iran Has All the Hallmarks of a Forever War

Get audio access with any FP subscription. Subscribe Now ALREADY AN FP SUBSCRIBER? LOGIN Get audio access with any FP subscription. ALREADY AN FP...

06.05.2026 10

Foreign Policy

Will Walldorf

The Unlikely Alliance That Toppled Romania’s Government

The Unlikely Alliance That Toppled Romania’s Government

Welcome back to World Brief, where we’re looking at the collapse of Romania’s government, competing claims over the Strait of Hormuz, and Armenia...

05.05.2026 2

Foreign Policy

Alexandra Sharp

Britain Leaves Two-Party Politics Behind

Britain Leaves Two-Party Politics Behind

Get audio access with any FP subscription. Subscribe Now ALREADY AN FP SUBSCRIBER? LOGIN Get audio access with any FP subscription. ALREADY AN FP...

05.05.2026 1

Foreign Policy

Jamie Maxwell

Trump’s Gaza Impasse

Trump’s Gaza Impasse

Get audio access with any FP subscription. Subscribe Now ALREADY AN FP SUBSCRIBER? LOGIN Get audio access with any FP subscription. ALREADY AN FP...

05.05.2026 4

Foreign Policy

John Haltiwanger

The New Critical Minerals Map

The New Critical Minerals Map

Get audio access with any FP subscription. Subscribe Now ALREADY AN FP SUBSCRIBER? LOGIN Get audio access with any FP subscription. ALREADY AN FP...

05.05.2026 4

Foreign Policy

Christina Lu

North Korea’s Strongwoman-in-Waiting

North Korea’s Strongwoman-in-Waiting

Get audio access with any FP subscription. Subscribe Now ALREADY AN FP SUBSCRIBER? LOGIN Get audio access with any FP subscription. ALREADY AN FP...

05.05.2026 3

Foreign Policy

Donggak heo

Russia’s African Recruitment Web Is Expanding

Russia’s African Recruitment Web Is Expanding

In October 2025, as his plumbing contract in Qatar neared its end, Clinton Nyapara Mogesa called his brother, Vincent, in Kenya, to say he had found...

05.05.2026 4

Foreign Policy

Maurice Oniang’O

Trump’s Southeast Asia Trade Deals Are in Limbo

Trump’s Southeast Asia Trade Deals Are in Limbo

Get audio access with any FP subscription. Subscribe Now ALREADY AN FP SUBSCRIBER? LOGIN Get audio access with any FP subscription. ALREADY AN FP...

05.05.2026 4

Foreign Policy

Derek Grossman

Introducing ‘Project Freedom’

Introducing ‘Project Freedom’

Welcome back to World Brief, where we’re looking at the next phase of the U.S.-Iran war, Taiwan’s long-standing friendship with Eswatini, and...

05.05.2026 10

Foreign Policy

Alexandra Sharp

U.S. War in Iran Leaves Ukraine’s Air Defense in Limbo

U.S. War in Iran Leaves Ukraine’s Air Defense in Limbo

Get audio access with any FP subscription. Subscribe Now ALREADY AN FP SUBSCRIBER? LOGIN Get audio access with any FP subscription. ALREADY AN FP...

04.05.2026 6

Foreign Policy

Sam Skove

When Rumors of a Drinking Problem Sunk a Cabinet Nomination

When Rumors of a Drinking Problem Sunk a Cabinet Nomination

Get audio access with any FP subscription. Subscribe Now ALREADY AN FP SUBSCRIBER? LOGIN Get audio access with any FP subscription. ALREADY AN FP...

04.05.2026 6

Foreign Policy

Julian E. Zelizer

Mali Is the Key to Understanding Africa’s Trajectory

Mali Is the Key to Understanding Africa’s Trajectory

Get audio access with any FP subscription. Subscribe Now ALREADY AN FP SUBSCRIBER? LOGIN Get audio access with any FP subscription. ALREADY AN FP...

04.05.2026 9

Foreign Policy

Howard W. French

The End of America’s Soft Power

The End of America’s Soft Power

One of the more striking features of the Trump administration’s approach to foreign policy—not the chosen ends, but its preferred means—is its...

04.05.2026 10

Foreign Policy

Stephen M. Walt

Middle Powers Can’t Shape the Global Order

Middle Powers Can’t Shape the Global Order

Get audio access with any FP subscription. Subscribe Now ALREADY AN FP SUBSCRIBER? LOGIN Get audio access with any FP subscription. ALREADY AN FP...

04.05.2026 6

Foreign Policy

C. Raja Mohan

This Energy Crisis Is Undoing the Last Ones

This Energy Crisis Is Undoing the Last Ones

Middle East and North Africa The standard story of the post-World War II international economic order is not wrong, but it is incomplete. Traditional...

04.05.2026 10

Foreign Policy

Giuliana chamedes

Trump: 60-Day War Powers Deadline ‘Totally Unconstitutional’

Trump: 60-Day War Powers Deadline ‘Totally Unconstitutional’

Welcome back to World Brief, where we’re looking at a critical deadline to end the Iran war, an antisemitic terrorist attack in Britain, and the...

03.05.2026 10

Foreign Policy

Alexandra Sharp

Will the Next Fed Chairman Be More Compliant With Trump?

Will the Next Fed Chairman Be More Compliant With Trump?

Kevin Warsh, the presumptive next chairman of the Federal Reserve, has devoted his professional life to opposing expansive monetary policies. But...

01.05.2026 7

Foreign Policy

Cameron Abadi

Saffron’s Last Gasp

Saffron’s Last Gasp

Where cuisine conquers all. Read more from the series. Mohammad Altaf Dar arranges tiny glass vials on a wooden shelf inside his shop at Lal Chowk, a...

01.05.2026 6

Foreign Policy

Kamran yousuf

‘Project Hail Mary’ and the Politics of Science Fiction

‘Project Hail Mary’ and the Politics of Science Fiction

Science and Technology Project Hail Mary—a space opera starring and co-produced by Ryan Gosling—is shaping up to be one of the biggest films of...

01.05.2026 5

Foreign Policy

Tim Brinkhof

Two Novels Take on the Post-American Dream

Two Novels Take on the Post-American Dream

This month, we’re reading two novels by Asian American authors that interrogate the promise and perils of starting over in the United States. Sarah...

01.05.2026 7

Foreign Policy

Chloe Hadavas

What in the World?

What in the World?

It’s May! Celebrate the new month with this week’s international news quiz. Have feedback? Email [email protected] to let me know your thoughts....

01.05.2026 6

Foreign Policy

Drew Gorman

‘Hokum’ Is Haunted by Ireland’s Dark History

‘Hokum’ Is Haunted by Ireland’s Dark History

A reclusive U.S. novelist, Ohm Bauman, comes to a remote Irish hotel to scatter his parents’ ashes at the site of their honeymoon, believing that it...

01.05.2026 5

Foreign Policy

Drew Gorman