Foreign Policy

Iran Shows No Signs of ‘De-Escalation’
As the White House pursues diplomacy, Iran’s president threatens America and its allies.

The Arguments Against Aiding Ukraine Still Fall Flat
The United States is better off helping the country thwart Russian aggression.

Good Luck With That Grand Strategy
Even the most comprehensive plans are bound to fail if leaders can’t build support for them.

F-16s Raise Questions about the Future of Ukraine Aid
The White House’s delay in sending fighter jets gives more time for GOP support for Ukraine aid to wither.

Incentivizing More Iranian Terrorism
Analysts say $6 billion the U.S. is sending to Iran won’t just underwrite humanitarian expenses.

Niger’s Coup Threatens to Spark Wider Violence
The junta consolidates power while its neighbors weigh their next steps.

Why India Matters to the United States
Some are wary of stronger ties with New Delhi, but the two nations share common interests.

What About Marc Fogel?
A schoolteacher’s family wants answers from Washington two years after his arrest in Russia.

Washington’s Open Hand to Narendra Modi
The U.S. sees India as a counterweight to China, but the relationship transcends that common rivalry.

Legitimizing an Iran-Backed Terrorist
A U.S. diplomat spoke at the same conference as Qais al-Khazali, who masterminded a 2007 attack that killed five U.S. soldiers.

The Growing Danger of the Iranian Cyber Threat
The Islamic Republic’s hostile actions against Israel and its Arab allies demonstrate the need for American leadership.

The Japan-South Korea Thaw
In the face of threats from China and North Korea, can America’s East Asian allies find ways to cooperate despite a painful past?

Going to War Over Taiwan: Who Decides?
Even if Biden could justify U.S. intervention without congressional approval, it’s politically important to have the legislative branch on board.

The Rise of Xi Jinping’s China
Former National Security Adviser Stephen J. Hadley on the risk of competition turning into confrontation: A Dispatch Q&A.

A Warning to the U.S. From Brazil and Iran
A docking by Iranian warships in Rio de Janeiro challenges the Biden administration.

A Time for American Stability—and Power
Our allies are pondering whether we are still a superpower.