Donald Trump's foreign policy approach to allies in the Middle East and Europe is likened to a protection racket, demanding financial compensation for US security. He proposed a 20% toll on Hormuz shipping and pressured NATO allies to increase defense spending and buy US weapons, framing security as a billable service rather than a collective good.
The EU unveiled its largest sanctions package in four years against Russia, leading FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich to suspend his activity. The measures target 218 individuals and entities, including banks, vessels, and military-industrial complex, while Ukraine faces ongoing attacks.
Andy Burnham, the new UK Prime Minister, faces the challenge of resetting UK-EU relations amidst domestic priorities and Brexit's economic impact. While initially focused on internal affairs, he may pursue closer European engagement, particularly on security and economic cooperation, potentially shifting Labour's red lines despite Eurosceptic opposition.
Andy Burnham's new UK government inherits a struggling Foreign Office and aid budget, facing urgent calls to define a long-term global strategy after years of cuts and restructuring. Experts warn of diminished influence and institutional capacity without clear priorities.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia would welcome a meeting between Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, noting that current foreign policy contacts between the two countries are primarily technical.
American-born MMA fighter Jeff Monson, a Russian citizen and legislator, announced plans to renounce his US citizenship, citing disagreement with Washington's foreign policy and expressing love for Russia.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a significant government reshuffle, proposing the replacement of Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko and heads of law enforcement agencies. The move signals a shift in political strategy, focusing on key foreign policy priorities and strengthening international partnerships.
Senator Lindsey Graham dies at 71 after brief illness, leaves legacy as hawkish foreign policy advocate
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, a prominent Republican and close ally of former President Donald Trump, died Saturday evening at age 71 following a "brief and sudden illness," his office announced. Graham, known for his strong foreign policy advocacy and service in both the House and Senate, had recently been in Ukraine.
US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who represented South Carolina and chaired the Senate Budget Committee, has died following a brief illness. His office announced his passing on Saturday evening, requesting privacy for his family. Graham was known for his foreign policy stance and recently visited Ukraine.
Six months after Maduro's ouster, Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez is aligning with the US and Israel, recasting socialist policies for a new hemispheric order. This shift includes distancing from Iran and seeking rapprochement with Israel, partly to consolidate power and weaken domestic rivals.
Drones ucranianos equipados com Starlink estão infligindo danos significativos à logística russa, especialmente na Crimeia, forçando a Rússia a usar rotas de reabastecimento menos eficientes e a empregar sistemas de interferência.
Donald Trump's unpredictable foreign policy is leading to escalation in the Middle East and at the NATO summit. European efforts to appease him are failing, as his strategy of unreliability strengthens the Iranian regime and creates new crises.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian criticized the US's foreign policy, comparing its role as 2026 World Cup host to "bending rules, bullying rivals, creating obstacles, and cheating." This comes amid escalating tensions, with Iran launching retaliatory strikes on US bases in Bahrain and Kuwait, and the US hitting over 80 Iranian military targets in response to shipping attacks in the Strait of Hormuz. Diplomatic tensions also rose as the US restored oil sanctions on Iran.
India's Modi government has increasingly used the restoration and conservation of ancient temples and cultural sites abroad as a pillar of its foreign policy and soft power, particularly in Asia. This approach aims to reinforce civilisational links and deepen diplomatic ties with partner countries.
Ukrainian drones targeted Russia's Omsk oil refinery, its largest, located 2,700km from Ukraine. The attack, confirmed by local authorities, occurred before a Nato summit. Russia claimed most drones were destroyed, with no casualties. President Zelenskyy hailed it as a significant achievement, extending Ukraine's strike capability to Siberia.
Steven Spielberg's 'The Post' is a fast-paced drama about the Washington Post's handling of the Pentagon Papers. Despite taking liberties with the truth, the film serves as a full-throated hurrah for journalists and journalism, capturing a national mood of optimism that has since faded.
Ukraine is pursuing significant defense agreements with at least seven NATO nations by the end of the year, aiming to become a provider of military hardware and expertise. Having already signed "drone deals" with six countries, including Middle Eastern states, Azerbaijan, Latvia, and Lithuania, Kyiv is leveraging its experience in drone warfare and air defense.
Chinese researcher Wu Xinbo analyzes US foreign policy shifts, particularly under a potential second Trump term, suggesting a return to pragmatic realism. He believes China-US relations are moving towards "dynamic stability" with an emphasis on process management.
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper warns that artificial intelligence poses a "Hiroshima-style" risk to humanity if global powers, including the US and China, do not agree on international rules for its development. She believes AI will dominate foreign policy and highlights other threats to global security.
The European External Action Service (EEAS), created to give the EU a stronger foreign policy voice, is struggling due to a foundational compromise that granted broad expectations but limited authority. Internal and external experts describe a "messy compromise" and "severe dysfunction," citing issues with competing institutions, rival national interests, low morale, and budget shortfalls.
As the US approaches its 250th anniversary, a Russian analyst notes deep societal and political divisions. Dissatisfaction stems from the current president's actions and foreign policy, alongside scandals like the Jeffrey Epstein case, raising questions about budget priorities for celebrations.
NATO zirvesi öncesi Avrupa başkentlerinde belirsizlik ve endişe hakimken, Foreign Policy'ye göre Avrupalılar olası krizleri dengelemek için Erdoğan'ın Trump ile ilişkisine güveniyor. Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung ise Türkiye'nin savunma sanayisinin Avrupa'nın merkezine yerleştiğini ve NATO zincirinde kritik rol oynadığını vurguluyor.
A DW analysis highlights how US foreign policy has shifted over 250 years, increasingly prioritizing military force over diplomacy, especially post-9/11. This trend, driven by objectives like nation-building and regime change, coincides with declining diplomatic capacity and a worsening US international image, raising doubts among Americans about founding values.
