A curated selection of FP’s must-read stories.
Editors' Picks
List of Editors' Picks articles
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Damage in a residential building in the Saadat Abad neighborhood of Tehran on June 26, following the Israeli attack on Iran. Would Beijing Welcome Escalation in the Middle East?
China has plenty to lose from instability.
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Putin and Khamenei sit beside each other in upholstered armchairs, a coffee table between them. Putin gestures with both hands as he speaks, while Khamenei smiles slightly at him. Why Russia Is Sitting Out This Round of the Israel-Iran Conflict
As Putin’s dependence on Iran decreases, he seeks to maintain ties with Tehran’s regional rivals.
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A U.N. peacekeeper in a blue helmet is seen in profile as he holds the pole of a blue U.N. flag in front of a razor wire border fence. Three other blue-helmet troops are visible behind him, holding rifles and peering at the camera. The landscape beyond the fence is a dusty hill spotted with sparse plants. At 80, the U.N. Is Down But Not Out
Despite its many failings, the 80-year-old institution still has a vital role.
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U.S. President Donald Trump looks down and adjusts his suit lapels as he poses alongside other leaders standing in rows for a family photo. The leaders around him face the camera and smile. NATO Is Avoiding a Difficult Conversation
Leaders lack public approval to make good on their promises on defense spending.
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People demonstrate against the United States entering a war with Iran outside the Capitol in Washington on Jan. 9, 2020. What Happened to the War Powers Act?
A 1973 bipartisan coalition promised to restore constitutional balance, but Trump’s recent actions show things didn’t work out as planned.
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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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