All Foreign Policy
Is Trump finding 'America First' incompatible with 'America alone'?Lately, President Trump seems to be putting more stock in strong alliances 鈥� a contrast to the rhetoric that dominated his first year in office. But compromise often comes with a more familiar message: that his hard line made it happen.聽
A hawkish new White House tilt, but some also see a glimmer of realismMost foreign policy experts consider John Bolton, a piercingly intelligent uber-hawk, the exact wrong choice to guide an impulsive and untested president. But others note elements of realism Bolton has exhibited and look to the moderating influence of less-extreme voices, including the president himself.
Putin's provocations: Is it a new cold war if West doesn't push back?The West and Russia are once again at ideological loggerheads, this time between authoritarianism and democracy. But as Putin advances and provokes, Western pushback is mostly verbal, avoiding measures that would be costly to both sides. And he knows it.
First LookAcknowledging Russian interference, Treasury Department applies sanctionsTreasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced newly imposed sanctions on 19 Russian officials suspected of interfering in US elections. The move comes amid criticism of the Trump administration for acting too slowly on Russian hacking allegations.聽
Tillerson fired: Why top diplomat was never a good fit with disruptor-in-chiefDespite his unconventional remaking of the State Department, Rex Tillerson was otherwise too conventional a diplomat. The policy differences were many, not least on Iran, and he may have been insufficiently deferential to the president. Why Mike Pompeo may be more likely to develop a rapport with Trump.
US-North Korea summit? Shared language, expectations are key.Since the announcement that President Trump agreed to a summit meeting with North Korea鈥檚 Kim Jong-un, much of the focus has been on what could go wrong in that surprise scenario. But some experts say there are ways for it to go right.
First LookTrump agrees to meet North Korea's Kim Jong-unPresident Trump said he would meet with Kim Jong-un, in what would be the first meeting between a聽sitting American president and a North Korean leader.聽South Korean officials who met with Mr. Kim last week say Kim is 'committed to denuclearization.'聽
Why Tillerson pitch of US as soft-power partner will be a hard sell in AfricaTillerson will be casting the US as a better partner than China, as he emphasizes good governance and human rights. But the US is seen as late to the game in Africa, and it will be hard to shed the US reputation for being primarily concerned with security.
In big week for Brexit, battle deepens over the costs of 'opting out'Today we launch Patterns, a biweekly column that will look at the points of connection in what often seems like a chaotic world. Our first target: the difficult bid to reshape Britain's relationship with the European Union.
First LookPence's reference to 'Israel's capital' calls US ability to mediate into questionVice President Mike Pence began his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by referring to Jerusalem as Israel's capital. The US stance on Israel's capital continues to sow doubt among Arab leaders that the US can effectively mediate Israeli-Palestinian conflicts.聽
First LookMattis visit highlights shift in US-Vietnam relationsDefense Secretary Jim Mattis's visit to Vietnam comes days before the 50th anniversary of a key Vietnam War battle. The former enemies have gradually developed closer ties as the United States seeks to address China's growing military power.
First LookUS and Canada hold summit on North Korean nuclear threatSecretary of State Rex Tillerson meets with US allies to discuss cooperation in heightening pressure on North Korea to discontinue weapons development. Russia and China, though closest diplomatically with North Korea, were not invited to the talks.
How China can help Pakistan weather Trump鈥檚 tweet stormChina has invested billions in Pakistan, making it less responsive, perhaps, to Trump's complaints about its cooperation on terrorism. Still, say experts, Pakistan would prefer to preserve its ties with the US, and remains key to a solution on Afghanistan.
In overwhelming UN vote on Jerusalem, a reality test for Trump's tough talkIs US foreign aid altruistic or self-serving? Trump's pre-vote rhetoric seemed to reopen that debate, but in the early aftermath is a hint at a pragmatic answer.
First LookIranian missiles found in Saudi Arabia are evidence of nuclear deal violation, says USUS intelligence has determined the missiles fired at the international airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia聽by Houthi rebels were supplied by Iran, proof the Trump administration is using to reassert its claim that Iran has violated the 2015 nuclear deal.聽
Jerusalem, etc.: How US global leadership has changed under TrumpTrump, who vowed to restore 'strong American leadership,' has projected military power as president. But in his go-it-alone actions and withdrawal from commitments, some see a diminished US role.
What recognizing Jerusalem means for US role as Mideast mediatorIsraelis hailed, and Palestinians and other Arabs denounced, President Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Delivering on one campaign promise may have come at the expense of another.
First LookTrump to announce US embassy move to JerusalemDespite warnings from global leaders, President Trump intends to move the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, recognizing the Holy City as the capital. Analysts warn the move could be viewed as the US siding with Israel, and potentially trigger volatile protests across the Muslim world.
First LookSecretary Mattis seeks diplomatic solutions with Pakistan on counterterrorismDefense Secretary Jim Mattis and聽Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan are both committed to cooperate on the war on terror, amid聽Trump administration calls for Islamabad to target insurgents moving back and forth across the border with Afghanistan.
First LookUS heightens calls for North Korea to denuclearizeThe sudden launch of North Korea's most powerful weapon's test yet strengthened calls from world leaders for Kim Jong Un to cease weapons testing and resume聽denuclearization. The US asserted that while there is no desire for war, an act of aggression would be met with force.