Situation Report

A weekly digest of national security, defense, and cybersecurity news from Foreign Policy reporters Jack Detsch and Robbie Gramer, formerly Security Brief. Delivered Thursday.

Members of the Taiwanese Air Force prepare to load U.S.-made Harpoon AGM-84 anti-ship missiles in front of an F-16 fighter jet during a drill at Chiashan Air Force Base, Hualien County, Taiwan, on Aug. 17, 2022.
Members of the Taiwanese Air Force prepare to load U.S.-made Harpoon AGM-84 anti-ship missiles in front of an F-16 fighter jet during a drill at Chiashan Air Force Base, Hualien County, Taiwan, on Aug. 17, 2022.

Taiwan Faces No Trade-Offs With Ukraine

But Taipei is also getting tired of supply chain issues.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks to guests at the Republican Party of Marathon County Lincoln Day Dinner annual fundraiser in Rothschild, Wisconsin, on May 06, 2023.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks to guests at the Republican Party of Marathon County Lincoln Day Dinner annual fundraiser in Rothschild, Wisconsin, on May 06, 2023.

Republican Foreign Policy vs. Everybody

The 2024 hopefuls are taking on all comers: China, the “woke mob,” and the alleged “deep state.”

Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sergei Lavrov meets with South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor during a press conference in Pretoria, South Africa, on Jan. 23.
Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sergei Lavrov meets with South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor during a press conference in Pretoria, South Africa, on Jan. 23.

A South African Scandal Could Shake up Relations With Washington

Do South Africa’s denials that it supplied weapons to Russia ring true?

Soldiers run amid smoke and mud, with a tank in the background, while taking part in a large-scale NATO military exercise in Estonia.
Soldiers run amid smoke and mud, with a tank in the background, while taking part in a large-scale NATO military exercise in Estonia.

Estonia Plans a ‘Spring Storm’ to Match Russia’s Might

“Russia only understands one thing, and that’s power,” one senior officer said.

A blurry image of Biden speaking into a microphone, with the American flag behind him.
A blurry image of Biden speaking into a microphone, with the American flag behind him.

Debt Ceiling Knife Fight Threatens to Slash U.S. Credibility

And it’s coming just as Biden is set for a reassurance trip to Japan and Australia.

An aerial view of a city. A black plume of smoke rises from one of the buildings.
An aerial view of a city. A black plume of smoke rises from one of the buildings.
Soldiers drive by a crowd standing on a military vehicle.
Soldiers drive by a crowd standing on a military vehicle.

Scoop: U.S. Military Chief Working the Phones to Halt Sudan Conflict

The top U.S. general is the latest to try to end the six days of fighting that has killed 300 people.

A fighter holds a gun, standing in rubble.
A fighter holds a gun, standing in rubble.

A Dose of Cautious Optimism on Yemen

Peace negotiations are picking up pace to end the deadly conflict.

U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy greets Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen.
U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy greets Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen.
Mark Milley is shown from the side in uniform, sitting before a microphone.
Mark Milley is shown from the side in uniform, sitting before a microphone.

DoD’s Making a List—and Checking It Twice

The Pentagon’s warfighting commands have sent billions in wish lists to Congress. Some lawmakers want to give them a lump of coal.

Biden speaks next to a sign that reads "SUMMIT FOR DEMOCRACY."
Biden speaks next to a sign that reads "SUMMIT FOR DEMOCRACY."
The Pentagon is seen in Arlington, Virginia, on March 8.
The Pentagon is seen in Arlington, Virginia, on March 8.
Australian and U.S. flags sit on the table during a meeting between then-Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at the Defense Department in Arlington, Virginia, on Sept. 22, 2021.
Australian and U.S. flags sit on the table during a meeting between then-Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at the Defense Department in Arlington, Virginia, on Sept. 22, 2021.

AUKUS Gets Ready for Prime Time

Experts worry the alliance is a “goat rodeo” in the making.

People in black military uniforms stand in formation with guns.
People in black military uniforms stand in formation with guns.

GOP Gears Up for Afghanistan Probe

Congress wants to know what happened to the guns and money the United States left behind.

Putin is seen from the side, standing at a podium.
Putin is seen from the side, standing at a podium.

Where Is Vlad’s Mind?

Putin’s anti-Western speech elicited eye rolls, even at the Kremlin.

Load 10 More Articles
Loading graphics

Welcome to a world of insight.

Make the most of FP.

Explore the benefits of your FP subscription. Explore the benefits included in your subscription.

Stay updated on the topics you care about with email alerts. Sign up below. Stay updated on the topics you care about with email alerts. Sign up below.

Choose a few newsletters that interest you. Get more insight in your inbox.

Here are some we think you might like. Update your newsletter preferences.

  • World Brief thumbnail
  • Africa Brief thumbnail
  • Latin America Brief thumbnail
  • China Brief thumbnail
  • South Asia Brief thumbnail
  • Situation Report thumbnail

Keep up with the world without stopping yours. Keep up with the world without stopping yours.

Download the FP mobile app to read anytime, anywhere. Download the new FP mobile app to read anytime, anywhere.

Download on the App Store
  • Read the magazine
  • Save articles (and read offline)
  • Customize your feed
  • Listen to FP podcasts
Download on the Apple App Store
Download on the Google Play Store

Analyze the world’s biggest events. Analyze the world’s biggest events.

Join in-depth conversations and interact with foreign-policy experts with Join in-depth conversations and interact with foreign-policy experts with

US-China-Tech-Wars-Dan-Wang-FPLive-Site-1500x100
US-China-Tech-Wars-Dan-Wang-FPLive-Site-1500x100

Inside the U.S.-China Tech War

✓  

Registered

  |   Ask a Question Ask a Question   |   Add to Calendar
  1. Only FP subscribers can submit questions for FP Live interviews.

    ALREADY AN FP SUBSCRIBER?

  2. Only FP subscribers can submit questions for FP Live interviews.

    ALREADY AN FP SUBSCRIBER?

Over the last few years, the United States has moved to limit China’s technological rise. U.S.-led sanctions have imposed unprecedented limits on Beijing’s access to advanced computing c...Show more

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 24: U.S. President Joe Biden (R) and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi participate in a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office of the White House on September 24, 2021 in Washington, DC. President Biden is hosting a Quad Leaders Summit later today with Prime Minister Modi, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide. (Photo by Sarahbeth Maney-Pool/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 24: U.S. President Joe Biden (R) and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi participate in a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office of the White House on September 24, 2021 in Washington, DC. President Biden is hosting a Quad Leaders Summit later today with Prime Minister Modi, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide. (Photo by Sarahbeth Maney-Pool/Getty Images)

Is America Making a Bad Bet on India?

  1. Only FP subscribers can submit questions for FP Live interviews.

    ALREADY AN FP SUBSCRIBER?

  2. Only FP subscribers can submit questions for FP Live interviews.

    ALREADY AN FP SUBSCRIBER?

For decades, the U.S. foreign-policy establishment has made the assumption that India could serve as a partner as the United States jostles with China for power in the Indo-Pacific region. B...Show more

US-Europe-China-FPLive-site-3-2
US-Europe-China-FPLive-site-3-2

Last weekend, spy chiefs and defense officials from around the world descended on Singapore to attend the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s biggest annual security conference. The U.S. delegatio...Show more