FOREIGN POLICY

JANUARY 26. 2026

Minneapolis Déjà Vu

In its response to protests, the U. S. evokes repressive regimes around the world.

As Generals Fall, Xi Jinping’s Anti-Corruption Campaign Is Eating Itself

With childhood friends and top leaders in the firing line, the system is frozen with fear.

Ukraine’s Answer Might Be Kosovo

A peace plan from the Balkans could solve the hardest negotiations with Russia.

What Kent State Taught the Country About State Violence

Renee Good and Alex Pretti’s killings in Minneapolis have brought back memories of government escalation.

JANUARY 23. 2026

Can Europe Resist American Coercion?

Options range from targeted tariffs to selling off U. S. debt—but they’re risky.

Territory Still a Deal-Breaker in Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks

Trilateral discussions among Russia, Ukraine, and the United States show little sign of compromise from Moscow.

The Soviet Lessons for Trump’s Greenland Gambit

A 1968 invasion of Czechoslovakia offers a key to understanding how Trump’s adventurism plays out.

The Israel-Iran Detente Won’t Last

The next round could be bigger and uglier than last year’s 12-day war.

Britain’s New Spy Chief Has a New Mission

Blaise Metreweli is revamping the legendary MI6 for an era of conflict in Europe.

The Great Chinese Vibe Shift

A country once obsessed with success is taking things slower.

The Collapse That Created Today’s Russia

From the ashes of communism emerged a corrupt, nihilistic, and warmongering elite.

What’s Buried by Baghdad’s Construction Boom

The politics of rebuilding in a city of memories.

A Poet Finds New Life in America’s Borderlands

Saretta Morgan’s poems speak the language of the Southwest’s deserts.

The Balance-of-Power Theory Strikes Again

Nobody should be surprised at how the world is reacting to Donald Trump’s threats.