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In His Pursuit of Peace, Trump Defers the Difficult Details

Analysis
by Leslie Vinjamuri

From the exclusion of Europe in outlining a Ukraine peace plan, a continued push against Venezuela, and his embrace of Saudi Arabia’s crown prince, Trump showed this week that he will disrupt the status quo to deliver on his agenda.

President Donald Trump and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman watch a flight of F-35's and F-15's fly over during a welcome ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Washington.
Evan Vucci / AP
US Foreign Policy

Inside Trump’s National Security Playbook

Podcast
Deep Dish on Global Affairs Podcast

Insider insights from the architect of Trump’s 2017 National Security Strategy.

National Mall
Julia Demaree Nikhinson / AP
Defense and Security

How Trump's Improvisational China Policy Is Impacting Trade, Taiwan, and Strategic Competition

Analysis
by Paul Heer

The recent Trump-Xi meeting resolved none of the underlying tensions between Beijing and Washington. It merely kicked the can down the road.

President Donald Trump, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping pose ahead of their summit talk at Gimhae International Airport in Busan, South Korea, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025.
Mark Schiefelbein / AP
US Foreign Policy

Does Europe Need a Drone Wall?

Analysis
by Julianne Smith

A surge in drone incursions is prompting the EU and NATO to reevaluate their defense systems. Could a drone wall be the answer? Distinguished Nonresident Fellow in Defense and Security Ambassador Julianne Smith weighs in.

A drone flies in a live-fire exercise near the northeastern city of Alexandroupolis, Greece, testing domestically-developed drones and counter-drone systems as part of NATO's modernization efforts on Friday, Nov. 14, 2025.
Thanassis Stavrakis / AP
Defense and Security

Why Is the UK Distancing Itself from the US?

Analysis
by Leslie Vinjamuri

This week’s incidents speak to a growing, and concerning, trust deficit between the United States and its closest European ally.   

U.S. President Donald Trump, right, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer walk at Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, Monday, July 28, 2025.
AP / Jane Barlow
US Foreign Policy

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Is Set to Visit Washington. Here’s What to Expect Out of His Meeting with Trump

Analysis
by Rachel Bronson

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s meeting with US President Donald Trump comes during a period of relatively strong and stable ties between Saudi Arabia and the United States. How much he can leverage those ties will be on full display.

President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrive for a signing ceremony at the Royal Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, May 13, 2025.
Alex Brandon / AP
Global Politics

Are Changing Demographics the Next Global Power Shift?

Podcast
Deep Dish on Global Affairs Podcast

China, Japan, and South Korea are aging fast. What does that mean for global stability?

Aging Population
Mark Schiefelbein / AP
Defense and Security

Are Trump’s Tariffs Legal? The Supreme Court Weighs In

In the News
WBEZ
Cécile Shea

"The decision is going to come down to whether it's Congress' responsibility to tax people and to therefore regulate tariffs, or whether the president really does have carte blanche to do these things" under the IEEPA, Cécile Shea says.

A demonstrator protests outside the Supreme Court
Mark Schiefelbein / AP
Global Economy

The Arctic Is Heating Up. So Is the Competition to Control It

Podcast
Deep Dish on Global Affairs Podcast

The ice is melting, and the stakes are rising as the world’s global powers are racing to assert their claim. Is a new Cold War unfolding in the Arctic?

Arctic overlooker
David Goldman / AP
Global Politics

Can COP30 Deliver amid US Retreat from Climate Action?

Analysis
by Joshua Busby

With global emissions still rising and political will waning, what can come out of this year’s international climate negotiations?

A sign for the upcoming COP30 U.N. Climate Summit sits outside of the press center in Belem, Brazil, Monday, Nov. 3, 2025.
Eraldo Peres / AP
Climate and the Environment