A curated selection of FP’s must-read stories.
Editors' Picks
List of Editors' Picks articles
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A tugboat is seen attached to a massive shipping barge across a stretch of open water. On the other side of the ships is the shore, with mountains rising up against the horizon. Global Shipping Is Staying Calm About the Strait of Hormuz
Amid chaos and missile fire, ships are still sailing as normal.
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Hegseth points to a reporter during a press conference. Trump’s Iran Strikes Intensify War Powers Debate
The Trump administration did not give Congress advance warning of the attack, prompting outcry from Democrats and some Republicans.
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U.S. President Donald Trump addresses the nation regarding the U.S. bombing of Iranian nuclear sites as seen on a television screen in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, D.C., on June 21. Why Trump Changed His Mind on Iran
For months, he seemed to prefer a nuclear deal over military action—until he didn’t.
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U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff speaks as U.S. President Donald Trump looks on, May 28, 2025. Trump Lacks the Patience for Peace
Why the mercurial president has failed to deliver on his anti-war rhetoric.
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An illustration shows the NATO logo sinking slightly on a blue horizon. Can NATO Keep It Together?
Nine thinkers on this year’s summit and the alliance’s uncertain future.
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People stand outside the White House protesting the Israeli strikes on Iran and any potential U.S. involvement. One of the banners reads "Stop U.S. backed Israel's attacks on Iran," while another reads "All together for peace." Four Questions Trump Should Consider Before Attacking Iran
To succeed, the United States must be able to translate battlefield wins into political leverage.
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Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele greets attendees after speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference in National Harbor, Maryland, on Feb. 22, 2024. Bukele’s Anti-Crime Model Has Its Limits
El Salvador’s president has attained rockstar status on the global right. But don’t expect other countries to copy his policies.
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Newly recruited Indian Army soldiers from the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JAKLI) take part in a parade at the JAKLI Army headquarters in Srinagar, Indian-administered Kashmir, on June 5. Are India’s Civilian and Military Authorities Aligned?
Officers—not officials—have commented on efficacy in the recent conflict with Pakistan.
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Iranian protocol soldiers stand guard during a ceremony to mark the 27th anniversary of the Islamic revolution at the mausoleum of Iran's late founder of Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in Tehran on Feb. 1, 2006. What Regime Change Means in Iran
A new Iran may emerge from the current conflict, but don’t expect a democracy.
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A billboard bearing a picture of U.S. President Donald Trump accompanied by a message is deployed in central Tel Aviv, Israel. The Many Ways U.S. Involvement in the War on Iran Could Go Badly
Trump initially showed caution but now seems to want the credit.
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Lee Jae-myung smiles as he stands in the doorway of an airplane and waves at those gathered outside. Kim Hye-gyeong stands beside him, smiling also. Both are dressed in formal attire; Lee wears a black suit, striped tie, and wireframe glasses, while Kim wears a pale gray dress. South Korea’s New President Wants Flexible Diplomacy
Lee Jae-myung is trying to avoid the ideological fixations of his predecessors.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gestures as he addresses the assembly during a session of the Israeli parliament (Knesset) at its headquarters in Jerusalem. Israel’s Long Road to Regional Dominance
First it humiliated the Arabs, then the Iranians—but Israel still needs Trump.
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Smoke rises over Tehran. Intelligence Window Might Have Been a Factor in Timing of Israeli Attack on Iran
Strategic concerns and domestic politics also played a role.
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Smoke plumes billow following an overnight Israeli strike on Tehran on June 17. Can Israel Destroy Iran’s Nuclear Program Without the U.S.?
Experts say Iran’s nuclear program is battered but far from broken.
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U.S. President Donald Trump arrives at Calgary International Airport for the G-7 leaders’ summit, in Calgary, Alberta. Trump’s Half-Hearted G-7 Left Few Wins and Plenty of Disagreements
The early U.S. departure leaves few big accomplishments for the group or for Washington.
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