Ideas
Donald Trump Stumbles Into a Foreign-Policy Triumph
The president, however inadvertently, may be reminding the world of the reality of international relations.
Ideas
Trump’s Fixation on the Hostage Crisis Is Driving His Iran Policy
The president’s approach to the Islamic Republic appears stuck in 1979.
Business
Increased Tensions With Iran Could Boost Defense Spending
After three years of substantial increases, the defense budget was supposed to flatten. Experts say that’s now unlikely.
Ideas
A Bigger Foreign-Policy Mess Than Anyone Predicted
In the 2010s, global affairs turned out far worse than the most pessimistic scenario foretold by U.S. intelligence experts.
Ideas
‘Are You in This?’
If so many Americans believe Russia is an ally, China is a good business partner, and terrorism isn’t worth fighting anymore, how can the United States be counted on for global security?
Ideas
Foreign Policy Isn't Just Up To Trump
The president’s defenders argue that U.S. foreign policy is whatever he says it is. Trouble is, that’s not what the Constitution says.
Ideas
The US Has Supported Lebanon’s Corrupt Ruling Class Long Enough
As protestors rage against oligarchs, the United States should end its stability-minded approach and foster political and economic reform.
Business
The US Exported Arms Worth $55B in the Past Year
That’s almost exactly the same as in fiscal 2018.
Policy
Why US Officials Say Trump is Flexing on Foreign Policy
“Trump has been Trump in foreign policy—but the safety nets are gone,” said one senior national security official, of the president’s Syria decision.
Policy
Trump Has Approved Arms to Lots of Problematic Regimes Besides Ukraine. Here's The List
The president said he withheld military aid for Ukraine over corruption concerns.
Threats
Trump Delivers Populist Message to the UN — and US Voters
The president put 2020 politics front and center in his third address to the General Assembly.
Ideas
If This Isn’t Impeachable, Nothing Is
Trump reportedly pressured a foreign government for help against a potential electoral opponent.
Policy
How Trump is Remaking Republican Foreign Policy
Out: neoconservatism and noninterventionism. In: a reactionary style that may outlast his administration.
Ideas
John Bolton Will Hold This Grudge
His dismissal by tweet came after an unusually long prelude of disrespect, both by President Trump and by favored allies.
Ideas
When it Comes to Allies, Americans Get It
New polling reveals Trump's disparagement of U.S. allies remains a bridge too far for most Americans — and it should remain so.
Policy
Do Americans Really Want to End 'Forever Wars?' Survey says...
Some surprises, and unsurprising party lines, are revealed in the latest Chicago Council poll on American foreign policy opinions.
Threats
US Army: No Afghanistan Withdrawal Plans Yet
“We have not received any direction to do anything at this point,” says Acting Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy.
Ideas
Trump’s Foreign-Policy Crisis Arrives
Competition between the U.S. and China may be inevitable, but if Trump and Xi mishandle the Hong Kong crisis, they could lose the ability to calibrate.
Ideas
2020 Democrats Have Found Their Foreign-Policy Battle Cry
Casting Trump as a threat to global democracy and American security, they aim to persuade voters that the danger is real.
Policy