Commentary and Analysis

The idea of “smart power” seems especially relevant today. But foreign policy choices usually don't boil down to obvious outcomes, Paul Poast argues.

"Europe should take primary responsibility for its security, but the United States needs to deliver key assurances to allow such a transition," Ivo Daalder argues.

Ravi Agrawal, Ken Moriyasu, and Anna Sauerbrey join guest host Carla Anne Robbins to discuss the week's top news stories.

"Rather than innocent mistakes, the stupid policies on display today seem more like the result of willful ignorance," Paul Poast writes of a range of current world leaders.

We spoke with Council Emerging Leaders Program alumna Amy Maglio about her work empowering communities to educate girls.

Stefanie Bolzen, Andrew Roth, and Giles Whittell join Ivo Daalder to discuss the week's top news stories.

Trump desperately wants to be seen as the one who ends the war in Ukraine and thinks the mineral agreement will help him do that, Paul Poast argues.

Cécile Shea weighs in on what's next for Gaza and peace negotiations moving forward.

"You can't just look at what Trump is saying to really get a sense of what the administration as a whole is trying to achieve," Paul Poast says.

A whirlwind week left observers writing the trans-Atlantic alliance’s eulogy. Paul Poast weighs in on what's next.