In the News

The centrality of wealth in US politics under Trump is more a sign of continuity than change. His falling out with Elon Musk only underscores this point, Paul Poast writes.

"I suspect that Israel, like a lot of other countries, just decided that [Iran's nuclear] program was moving ahead too quickly," Cécile Shea says.

With Operation Spiderweb, Ukraine demonstrated it has a lot of fight left. All that means is that the war is set to rage on, Paul Poast writes.

Observers have argued that Trump has irreparably damaged the US reputation abroad. Paul Poast explores whether that matters.

"Even in areas where the administration has not cut staff to the bone, the shallow state is implementing Trump’s preferred policies in a shallow manner," Daniel Drezner argues.

"Americans place most of the blame for the Russia-Ukraine conflict on Putin rather than Zelenskyy," Dina Smeltz says, pointing to recent Council-Ipsos polling.

Besides making business deals and accepting lavish gifts, Trump also promised a reset in US-Middle East relations, Paul Poast writes.

Ivo Daalder weighs in on President Trump's phone calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The Trump administration got a relatively easy win in deescalating the India-Pakistan conflict. It's not doing so well in Gaza and Ukraine, Paul Poast writes.

Cécile Shea weighs in on what President Trump's trip to the region could mean for a nuclear deal with Iran, US business interests, and more.