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Donald Trump, wearing a white "USA" hat, a blue suit, and red tie, speaks at a podium in front of US Navy personnel in camo.
Donald Trump, wearing a white "USA" hat, a blue suit, and red tie, speaks at a podium in front of US Navy personnel in camo.

Can Trump and Xi Strike a Deal?

Both sides are sending positive signals ahead of a Thursday meeting, but a temporary truce may be more likely.

China Brief
James Palmer
U.S. troops in camouflage uniforms are seen from behind as they walk along a path in front of the U.S. Capitol. The sun rises in the background, glinting on the building's white dome with a bright burst of light.
U.S. troops in camouflage uniforms are seen from behind as they walk along a path in front of the U.S. Capitol. The sun rises in the background, glinting on the building's white dome with a bright burst of light.

U.S. Government Shutdown Sorely Tests National Security State

One month into federal funding shortfall, U.S. defense and diplomacy resources are being stretched.

Report
Rachel Oswald
Trump's silhouette is shown as he stands on a platform above a group of people.
Trump's silhouette is shown as he stands on a platform above a group of people.

U.S. Gunboat Diplomacy Will Only Embolden China

Trump’s aggression in Latin America has given a powerful boost to Beijing in the Pacific.

Argument
Howard W. French
Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim witness the signing of an upgraded free trade agreement between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim witness the signing of an upgraded free trade agreement between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

China vs. the U.S.: Who Will Win Over ASEAN?

Beijing is hoping to use an expanded free trade deal to portray itself as the bloc’s alternative to the United States.

World Brief
Alexandra Sharp
A person interacts with a robotic hand at Robot Mall in Beijing on Aug. 4.
A person interacts with a robotic hand at Robot Mall in Beijing on Aug. 4.

Is the AI Economy a Bubble?

Economist Jared Bernstein warns that revenues simply aren’t catching up with sky-high valuations.

Insider
Ravi Agrawal
Dewy sits at a desk, before a sign that reads: "CRUSADE FOR FREEDOM: SEND A MESSAGE BEHIND THE IRON CURTAIN." Behind him is also a map of the Eastern Bloc with an image of the Statue of Liberty.
Dewy sits at a desk, before a sign that reads: "CRUSADE FOR FREEDOM: SEND A MESSAGE BEHIND THE IRON CURTAIN." Behind him is also a map of the Eastern Bloc with an image of the Statue of Liberty.

We’ve Forgotten What ‘Soft Power’ Is

Internationalists are mourning the loss of soft power. Do they even know what that means anymore?

Argument
Suzanne Nossel
Benjamin Netanyahu speaks and gestures with his hands raised while standing in front of an Israeli flag and U.S. flag. He is standing behind a podium with the seal of the president of the U.S.
Benjamin Netanyahu speaks and gestures with his hands raised while standing in front of an Israeli flag and U.S. flag. He is standing behind a podium with the seal of the president of the U.S.

Israel Conducts Deadly Strikes in Gaza

The fragile cease-fire is once again at risk of collapsing amid fresh Israeli airstrikes.

Report
John Haltiwanger
Russian President Vladimir Putin, at left, speaks with U.S. President Donald Trump, at right.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, at left, speaks with U.S. President Donald Trump, at right.

Why There’s No Easy Button to End the Russia-Ukraine War

Economic carrots and sanctions aren’t powerful enough to compensate Russia for giving up its maximalist aims.

Analysis
Sam Skove
Soldiers wearing combat gear and holding guns are seen through a jagged hole in a rusty metal surface that covers much of the foreground.
Soldiers wearing combat gear and holding guns are seen through a jagged hole in a rusty metal surface that covers much of the foreground.

How Turkish Arms End Up in African Conflicts

Ankara’s engagement on the continent has generated violence, not stability.

Analysis
Sinan Ciddi, William Doran
A dozen people, including children, stand on the side of a road under a blue sign with the Polish and EU flags.
A dozen people, including children, stand on the side of a road under a blue sign with the Polish and EU flags.

Central Europe Has Compassion Fatigue

Nearly four years of hosting Ukrainian refugees is fueling a resentful backlash.

Analysis
Paul Hockenos
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy shakes hands with a police officer, while next to his wife and several other officers.
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy shakes hands with a police officer, while next to his wife and several other officers.

Prosecuting the Powerful

Historical data shows putting leaders on trial is a healthy democratic practice.

Argument
Seva Gunitsky, Semuhi Sinanoglu, Sahib Jafarov
Trump and Takaichi, both smiling, hold up signed documents while standing in front of U.S. and Japanese flags.
Trump and Takaichi, both smiling, hold up signed documents while standing in front of U.S. and Japanese flags.

The Countries Courting Trump With Critical Minerals

From Japan to Pakistan, the deals keep coming.

Analysis
Rishi Iyengar
Two people sit on a stage in front of an audience. Behind them are the words "A House of Dynamite."
Two people sit on a stage in front of an audience. Behind them are the words "A House of Dynamite."

The Lessons of ‘A House of Dynamite’

Kathryn Bigelow’s latest movie offers insights for an increasingly dangerous world.

Argument
Matthew Kroenig
Two women pose for selfies outside a fast-food restaurant in the athletes village of the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympic games in Gangneung on February 8, 2018.
Two women pose for selfies outside a fast-food restaurant in the athletes village of the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympic games in Gangneung on February 8, 2018.

Democratic Peace Theory, R.I.P.

The rise, and potential fall, of a mainstay academic theory.

Argument
Stephen M. Walt
A new mural by Italian street artist TVBoy titled Mi Gaza es tu Gaza in Rome, Italy, on Oct. 15th.
A new mural by Italian street artist TVBoy titled Mi Gaza es tu Gaza in Rome, Italy, on Oct. 15th.

How Trump Can Avoid ‘Owning’ Gaza

Expanding U.S. strategic ambiguity with both Israel and the Gulf states is the best bet for regional progress.

Argument
Will Walldorf
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