All Foreign Policy
A nuclear deal could end the Iran war. What was Obama鈥檚 version Trump rejected?In the absence of renewed talks, the U.S. and Iran are wrangling over the Strait of Hormuz. But the main dispute between the two is still Iran鈥檚 nuclear program.聽Here鈥檚 a look at the 2015 JCPOA.
What Trump鈥檚 handling of the Iran war has done to perceptions of US powerFor decades, perceptions of U.S. power did not rely on the use of America鈥檚 unrivaled military might. In the Iran war, a militarily inferior adversary used asymmetric warfare to resist that might, and America鈥檚 allies are voicing concern over the state of U.S. strategic thinking and planning.
Trump鈥檚 war in Iran puts new strain on alliances. Why this time it鈥檚 different.Whether President Trump opts for ground forces, walks away from the war, or cuts a deal with Iran, one cost of his war of choice will be the further decline of U.S. alliances. The strain has been unrelenting, as has the acrimony.Trump鈥檚 war in Iran puts new strain on alliances. Why this time it鈥檚 different.
Strait of Hormuz: Why no one, so far, is rushing to help US open vital passagePresident Donald Trump鈥檚 appeal for help reopening the Strait of Hormuz, the vital Persian Gulf shipping lane that Iran has closed, has received a cool reception from U.S. allies that feel mistreated and weren鈥檛 consulted before Mr. Trump鈥檚 decision to go to war.
For Ukraine and Russia, widening Iran war presents peril and possibilityFrom soaring oil prices to depleted interceptors, the Iran war鈥檚 impacts reverberated quickly in the Ukraine conflict. And the needs of the Mideast combatants聽鈥� intelligence and anti-drone measures聽鈥� have created diplomatic and strategic openings for both Russia and Ukraine.
US wants Kurdish boots on the ground in Iran. Why it鈥檚 not an easy ask.Once again, a crisis in the Middle East has the U.S. appealing for military help from the stateless Kurds, this time as boots-on-the-ground proxies in Iran. Affecting any desire to contribute is the memory of letdowns after vital roles played in Iraq and Syria.
In Iran, Trump is trying something untested: Outsourcing regime changeThe U.S.-Israel air war on Iran has not been a regime change operation a la Iraq. Rather, President Donald Trump is calling on the Iranian people to rise up and finish the job. It is not at all clear they have the tools to do so.
Why would Trump strike Iran? How lack of clarity imperils a diplomatic deal.President Donald Trump鈥檚 brief mention of Iran in his State of the Union address was still short of a complete argument for how and why striking Iran, which would risk a wider Middle East conflict, would further U.S. interests.
Trump鈥檚 Board of Peace meets, facing wariness and an immediate test: GazaPresident Donald Trump鈥檚 Board of Peace is convening amid doubts about this approach to diplomacy. Muslim and Arab countries, hoping to influence Gaza鈥檚 path forward, have signed on. Western democracies, wary of further weakening international institutions, are staying away.
In Cuba, is Trump seeking ouster of Communist leaders, or of China鈥檚 presence?Deteriorating conditions in a Cuba cut off from Venezuelan oil are feeding a debate in Washington: Regime change or a deal? Experts say the latter is more likely, while a bigger strategic goal might be to curb China鈥檚 presence on the island.
First LookRubio鈥檚 speech to European allies takes softer tone but keeps firm stanceSecretary of State Marco Rubio struck a less aggressive tone with allies about the Trump administration鈥檚 intent to reshape the trans-Atlantic alliance.
Russia is finding post-START arms control a harder, multipolar projectThe last arms control treaty between the United States and Russia has expired, but no one really wants an end to arms control. They want it to change.
For Trump, a year of shattering foreign policy normsThe 鈥淎merica First鈥� vision emphasizes spheres of influence, not the alliances and international institutions that rose from the ashes of World War II.
US has options to act in Iran. The world is watching Trump鈥檚 next move.Protests and crackdowns in Iran may prompt a U.S. response. President Donald Trump appeared to hint at military action, but has recently changed his message.
Does the US need to own Greenland to be secure? History suggests not.The United States has long worked with Denmark on Greenland鈥檚 security 鈥� so much so that it鈥檚 dubious that direct control would be better for U.S. defense.
Trump exits global bodies in the name of 鈥楢merica First.鈥� Who benefits?President Donald Trump鈥檚 withdrawal from dozens of global organizations 鈥� many focused on climate issues and human rights 鈥� was swiftly condemned by U.S. allies. One power that increasingly has stepped into the leadership breach is China.
Seizing Venezuela鈥檚 Maduro, Trump implements his corollary to Monroe DoctrineWhat was behind the seizure of Venezuela鈥檚 Nicol谩s Maduro? The Trump administration鈥檚 hemispheric strategy recalls the 1904 Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, which asserts a U.S. right to intervene in Latin America in cases of 鈥渃hronic wrongdoing.鈥�
Trump says US will now 鈥榬un鈥� Venezuela, serving a warning to other world leadersThe Trump administration鈥檚 ouster of Venezuela鈥檚 Nicol谩s Maduro deposes an unpopular world leader. It also raises important legal and geopolitical questions for the Western Hemisphere.
First LookTrump says Venezuela鈥檚 Maduro has been captured to face US chargesThe legal authority for an attack plucking Venezuela鈥檚 sitting leader from office was not clear. The U.S. says Nicol谩s聽Maduro will face charges in New York. He was indicted in 2020 on 鈥渘arco-terrorism鈥� conspiracy charges.
First LookTrump says Ukraine-Russia peace 鈥榗loser than ever鈥� after talks with ZelenskyyPresident Donald Trump says Ukraine and Russia are 鈥渃loser than ever before鈥� to a peace deal,聽even as Russia launched another round of attacks on Ukraine while Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy flew to the United States.
