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ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR: News, analysis, and background on the ongoing conflict.

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A 1901 political cartoon depicts an Uncle Sam rooster (large and central wearing a top hat and stars and stripe suit) with small roosters in the Monroe Doctrine-labeled European Coop (left) and smaller roosters labeled with South American country names including Colombia, Guatemala, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, Peru, and others running around free.
A 1901 political cartoon depicts an Uncle Sam rooster (large and central wearing a top hat and stars and stripe suit) with small roosters in the Monroe Doctrine-labeled European Coop (left) and smaller roosters labeled with South American country names including Colombia, Guatemala, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, Peru, and others running around free.

The Return of the Monroe Doctrine

U.S. responses to China’s growing presence in Latin America risk falling into an old paternalistic pattern.

Argument
Tom Long, Carsten-Andreas Schulz
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen walks between a line of soldiers standing at attention at a welcome ceremony on a cloudy day in St. Lucia. Tsai is a middle-aged woman wearing a black suit over a white T-shirt.
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen walks between a line of soldiers standing at attention at a welcome ceremony on a cloudy day in St. Lucia. Tsai is a middle-aged woman wearing a black suit over a white T-shirt.

In a Caribbean Paradise, Taiwan and China Tussle for Recognition

St. Lucia keeps switching between Taipei and Beijing.

Analysis
Taili Ni, Jeffrey Sequeira
An illustration shows British Ambassador to the United States Karen Pierce. Pierce is drawn in a photorealistic style from her head to her neck, whereas the lines of her shirt and jacket are merely outlined and unshaded. The illustration is on top of a gradient of orange to pink.
An illustration shows British Ambassador to the United States Karen Pierce. Pierce is drawn in a photorealistic style from her head to her neck, whereas the lines of her shirt and jacket are merely outlined and unshaded. The illustration is on top of a gradient of orange to pink.

The Optimist

Karen Pierce was the first woman to take up the U.K.’s seat at the U.N. Security Council, and likely the first person to do so in a feather boa.

Interview
Amy Mackinnon
An outdoor screen in Beijing shows a news program about Chinese President Xi Jinping meeting US President Joe Biden during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' week in California on November 16, 2023.
An outdoor screen in Beijing shows a news program about Chinese President Xi Jinping meeting US President Joe Biden during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' week in California on November 16, 2023.

Does America Have an Endgame on China?

Washington wants change—but it can come in stages.

Argument
Zack Cooper

Recent

Asia & the Pacific

Tuvaluan Prime Minister Kausea Natano speaks at a podium during the COP28 climate conference in Dubai. Natano is a middle-aged man wearing glasses, a black suit, and a tie with the flag of his country printed on it. Behind him are the flags of the United Nations and the United Arab Emirates.
Tuvaluan Prime Minister Kausea Natano speaks at a podium during the COP28 climate conference in Dubai. Natano is a middle-aged man wearing glasses, a black suit, and a tie with the flag of his country printed on it. Behind him are the flags of the United Nations and the United Arab Emirates.

The Deal That Exposes the Global North’s Flawed Approach to Climate Migration
Argument
Clare Francis

Pakistan’s Army Chief Comes to Washington

Why China Is Stepping Up Its Maritime Attacks on the Philippines

Don’t Overestimate India’s New Middle East Strategy

China

Then-Secretary of State John Kerry talks with China’s special representative on climate change, Xie Zhenhua, during the COP21 climate change summit in Le Bourget, north of Paris.
Then-Secretary of State John Kerry talks with China’s special representative on climate change, Xie Zhenhua, during the COP21 climate change summit in Le Bourget, north of Paris.

The Climate Envoys Who Could
Profile
Lili Pike

China Hawks Are Putting the Green Transition at Risk

Chinese Shadow Bank Can’t Pay Up

U.S. Engagement With China in 3 Charts

Middle East & Africa

A woman wearing a lanyard and a black denim jacket stands in front of an outdoor display at night, awash in green-toned light. The display includes signs covered with lights spelling out the words: "End the fossil era." Above those signs are red banners, each hand-painted with a word and yellow flames. The words are "funded," "full," "fair," "fast," "feminist," and "forever."
A woman wearing a lanyard and a black denim jacket stands in front of an outdoor display at night, awash in green-toned light. The display includes signs covered with lights spelling out the words: "End the fossil era." Above those signs are red banners, each hand-painted with a word and yellow flames. The words are "funded," "full," "fair," "fast," "feminist," and "forever."

Fossil Fuel Nations Almost Sabotaged a Climate Deal That Could Save Africa
Argument
Nathaniel Mong’are, Abdoulie Ceesay

Don’t Allow a Disastrous Collapse in Sudan

Good COP or Bad COP?

Will Africa’s Next Coup Be in Chad?

Europe

Kerch Bridge on fire
Kerch Bridge on fire

The Shortest Path to Victory in Ukraine Goes Through Crimea
Argument
Luke Coffey, Peter Rough

How an Army of Drones Changed the Battlefield in Ukraine

It’s Time to Reconsider Turkey’s NATO Membership

Here’s How Labour Can ‘Stop the Boats’

Americas

In the foreground, U.S. Reps. Mike Gallagher and Raja Krishnamoorthi sit at podiums during a House China committee hearing.
In the foreground, U.S. Reps. Mike Gallagher and Raja Krishnamoorthi sit at podiums during a House China committee hearing.

Why a Bipartisan House Committee Wants to Further Cut Ties With Beijing
Analysis
Robbie Gramer

Can Peer Pressure Protect Guatemala’s Democracy?

Will Milei Rewrite Argentina’s History?

The Contentious Surveillance Law Making Waves in Washington
FP-Holiday-2023-Homepage-1000x400-v2
FP-Holiday-2023-Homepage-1000x400-v2

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A lone wind turbine spins in front of exhaust plumes billowing into a hazy gray sky from five cooling towers at a coal-fired power station in Germany.
A lone wind turbine spins in front of exhaust plumes billowing into a hazy gray sky from five cooling towers at a coal-fired power station in Germany.

What Transitioning Away From Fossil Fuels Really Means
Insider
Cameron Abadi, Adam Tooze
The United Nations climate change conference, which takes place from Nov. 20 until Dec. 12 in Dubai, on Nov. 30.
The United Nations climate change conference, which takes place from Nov. 20 until Dec. 12 in Dubai, on Nov. 30.

How the Fight Against Climate Change Is All About Money
Insider
Ravi Agrawal
President-elect Javier Milei laughs with lawmakers at the National Congress for the official announcement of the final vote count on Nov. 29 in Buenos Aires.
President-elect Javier Milei laughs with lawmakers at the National Congress for the official announcement of the final vote count on Nov. 29 in Buenos Aires.

What Milei’s Dollarization Plan Would Mean for Argentina’s Economy
Insider
Cameron Abadi, Adam Tooze

In the Magazine

Current Issue: Fall 2023 Archives
The cover of Foreign Policy's fall 2023 print magazine shows a jack made up of joined hands lifting up the world. Cover text reads: The Alliances That Matter Now: Multilateralism is at a dead end, but powerful blocs are getting things done."
An illustration shows the Statue of Liberty holding a torch with other hands alongside hers as she lifts the flame, also resembling laurel, into place on the edge of the United Nations laurel logo.
An illustration shows the Statue of Liberty holding a torch with other hands alongside hers as she lifts the flame, also resembling laurel, into place on the edge of the United Nations laurel logo.

A New Multilateralism

How the United States can rejuvenate the global institutions it created.

Essay
Gordon Brown

NATO’s Remarkable Revival

But the bloc’s future could look very different from its past.

Analysis
Jo Inge Bekkevold

The G-7 Becomes a Power Player
Analysis
G. John Ikenberry

The Nimble New Minilaterals
Analysis
C. Raja Mohan

The China-Russia Axis Takes Shape
Analysis
Bonny Lin

FP Columnists

Weekend Reads

An illustration shows the lopped off lower half of the globe with a diverse group of people holding it up from below for a story about the term "the global south."
An illustration shows the lopped off lower half of the globe with a diverse group of people holding it up from below for a story about the term "the global south."

Is There Such a Thing as a Global South?

The category is emotionally powerful but fundamentally flawed.

Analysis
C. Raja Mohan
Russian soldiers train at a military camp.
Russian soldiers train at a military camp.

Russia’s Military Cruelty Begins With Its Own Conscripts
Argument
Kristaps Andrejsons
A grid collage shows photos of world leaders in profile, including Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, and, former U.S. President Donald Trump. These photos are layered over an illustration of Julius Caesar in the background.
A grid collage shows photos of world leaders in profile, including Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, and, former U.S. President Donald Trump. These photos are layered over an illustration of Julius Caesar in the background.

The Original Authoritarian
Review
Daniel W. Drezner
Hong Kong’s Star Ferry
Hong Kong’s Star Ferry

What Cities Can Tell Us About Geopolitics
Flash Points
Chloe Hadavas

Subscribers’ Picks

Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger prepares to testify before the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger prepares to testify before the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Was Henry Kissinger Really a Realist?

America’s most famous 20th century statesman wasn’t exactly what he claimed to be.

Argument
Stephen M. Walt
The leader of the Palestinian Hamas movement, Ismail Haniyeh, shakes hands with Iranian Chief of Staff for the Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri and the commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guard force, General Hossein Salami, during the swearing in ceremony for Iran's new president at the parliament in the Islamic republic's capital Tehran on August 5, 2021.
The leader of the Palestinian Hamas movement, Ismail Haniyeh, shakes hands with Iranian Chief of Staff for the Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri and the commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guard force, General Hossein Salami, during the swearing in ceremony for Iran's new president at the parliament in the Islamic republic's capital Tehran on August 5, 2021.

The 7 Reasons Iran Won’t Fight for Hamas

A close look at Tehran’s thinking about escalating the war in Gaza.

Argument
Arash Reisinezhad
A globe with blocks and chunks missing from it sits atop the shoulders of a person looking into a dystopian horizon.
A globe with blocks and chunks missing from it sits atop the shoulders of a person looking into a dystopian horizon.

The Global Credibility Gap

No one power or group can uphold the international order anymore—and that means much more geopolitical uncertainty ahead.

Jared Cohen, Ian Bremmer
Joaquin Phoenix (center) stars in the film "Napoleon."
Joaquin Phoenix (center) stars in the film "Napoleon."

What Ridley Scott’s ‘Napoleon’ Gets Wrong About War

The film’s ideas have poisoned military thinking for centuries.

Review
Franz-Stefan Gady

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Rajiv Shah on How to Fund the Green Transition
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Rashid Khalidi on the Israel-Hamas War
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What to Expect From COP-28
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Takeaways from Biden’s Meeting With Xi

Books

John Ackah Blay-Miezah smokes a cigar in the London office of the Oman Ghana Trust Fund in the 1980s.
John Ackah Blay-Miezah smokes a cigar in the London office of the Oman Ghana Trust Fund in the 1980s.

The Man Who Conned the World

How one of the greatest scam artists of all time used Ghana’s colonial past to get rich.

Excerpt
Yepoka Yeebo
Democracy in Darkness: Secrecy and Transparency in the Age of Revolutions, Katlyn Marie Carter, Yale University Press, 392 pp., $40, October 2023
Democracy in Darkness: Secrecy and Transparency in the Age of Revolutions, Katlyn Marie Carter, Yale University Press, 392 pp., $40, October 2023

Does Democracy Really Die in Darkness?
Review
Bronwen Everill
The book cover for Sam Lebovic's State of Silence.
The book cover for Sam Lebovic's State of Silence.

The Song and Dance of American Secrecy
Excerpt
Sam Lebovic
The book cover of Vienna: How the City of Ideas Created the Modern World by Richard Cockett
The book cover of Vienna: How the City of Ideas Created the Modern World by Richard Cockett

The Untold Story of Vienna’s Global Influence
Review
Emily Schultheis
Holiday-book-guide-foreign-policy-2023-hp
Holiday-book-guide-foreign-policy-2023-hp

Foreign Policy’s Holiday Book List
Review
FP Staff, FP Contributors
Book covers for Going Infinite: The Rise and Fall of a New Tycoon by Michael Lewis and Easy Money: Cryptocurrency, Casino Capitalism, and the Golden Age of Fraud by Ben McKenzie.
Book covers for Going Infinite: The Rise and Fall of a New Tycoon by Michael Lewis and Easy Money: Cryptocurrency, Casino Capitalism, and the Golden Age of Fraud by Ben McKenzie.

Why Did America’s Elite Keep Falling for Crypto Frauds?
Review
Stan Veuger
Book cover for Material World by Ed Conway
Book cover for Material World by Ed Conway

Living in a Material World
Review
Bronwen Everill

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Visual Stories

An illustrations shows overlapping arrows and pie charts atop an image of container ships in an ocean seen from above.
An illustrations shows overlapping arrows and pie charts atop an image of container ships in an ocean seen from above.

How China and the U.S. Are Competing on Trade

Most big economies are inextricably tied to both Washington and Beijing.

Infographic
Alexandra Sharp, Olatunji Osho-Williams
Rafet Kurse, a former fisherman, stands next to an abandoned boat on the former shores of Marmara Lake. A dry, dusty landscape stretches into the distance behind him.
Rafet Kurse, a former fisherman, stands next to an abandoned boat on the former shores of Marmara Lake. A dry, dusty landscape stretches into the distance behind him.

King of the Dammed

Turkish President Erdogan’s mega-infrastructure projects are enriching construction companies while reshaping his country’s waterscape for the worse.

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