FOREIGN POLICY

MARCH 18. 2026

Can Pakistan and Afghanistan De-Escalate?

The strike on a Kabul hospital was the deadliest single incident in the conflict so far.

Tehran Vows to Strike Gulf Oil, Gas Facilities

The threat is in retaliation for alleged Israeli strikes on Iran’s South Pars gas field.

Xi Just Can’t Shake GDP Worship

Chinese officials are being asked to do everything all at once.

Japan Should Help Sink China’s Invasion Fleet

Sanae Takaichi committing to Taiwan’s defense would help keep the peace.

Iran Isn’t Trump’s Only War

Even as Trump wages war on Tehran, he’s reigniting his economic war against U. S. trading partners.

The Pros and Cons of Negotiating in Public

When Trump’s unconventional approach to diplomacy does—and doesn’t—work.

BRICS Is Divided on Iran. So Are NATO and the G-7.

The bloc isn’t a geopolitical alliance, and it shouldn’t be expected to function like one.

How to Fix Democracy? Out With the Politicians!

Democracy scholar Hélène Landemore has a radical new proposal.

The World’s Tax-the-Rich Debate Is Heating Up

From millionaire activists to G-20 proposals, efforts to combat wealth inequality are advancing across the United States and Europe.

The Populist International Is Falling Apart

Trump’s war in Iran is blowing up MAGA’s plans for an alliance with Europe’s far right.

MARCH 17. 2026

Deepfakes are Already Shaping Opinions Around Conflicts

Governments and companies must do more to detect and debunk them.

Making the U. S. More Resilient to Oil Price Shocks

The U. S. is now a net oil exporter. With the right policy changes, it can protect consumers from high prices.

Kabul Accuses Pakistani Airstrike of Killing Over 400 People

Islamabad maintains that it hit “military and terrorist infrastructure, ” not a civilian drug rehabilitation center.