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In Foreign Policy, Being Smart Is a Pretty High Bar

In the News
World Politics Review
Paul Poast

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

President Bush declares the end of major combat in Iraq
J. Scott Applewhite / AP
US Foreign Policy

It's Time for a New Trans-Atlantic Bargain

In the News
Foreign Policy
Ivo H. Daalder

"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.

Lithuania's military officers march with flags of NATO's nations during a military parade ceremony in Vilnius, Lithuania on Armed Forces Day, November 23, 2024.
Mindaugas Kulbis / AP
US Foreign Policy

Trump's Trade War, China's Warning, and Europe's Challenge

Video Series
World Review with Ivo Daalder

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

Finland's President Alexander Stubb (from left), France's President Emmanuel Macron, Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Romania's Interim President Ilie Bolojan sit at the European leaders' summit to discuss Ukraine at Lancaster House, London on March 2, 2025.
Justin Tallis/Pool via AP
Global Politics

Welcome to the Era of Great Power Stupidity

In the News
World Politics Review
Paul Poast

"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.

Traditional Russian wooden dolls depicting China's President Xi Jinping, US President-Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin
Dmitri Lovetsky / AP
US Foreign Policy

Educating Girls, Changing the World

Video Series
Featured Video

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

Amy Maglio poses for a photo with two students. Women and Girls

Germany Moves Right, US Abandons Ukraine, and Gaza Truce Extension

Video Series
World Review with Ivo Daalder

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

Alice Weidel, co-leader of far right Alternative for Germany (Afd) smiles at the AfD party headquarters in Berlin on February 23, 205.
Michael Probst / AP
Global Politics

Trump Has His Eyes on a Bigger Prize than the US-Ukraine Mineral Deal

In the News
World Politics Review
Paul Poast

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.

President Donald Trump meets with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Trump Tower
Julia Demaree Nikhinson / AP
US Foreign Policy

Israel-Hama Ceasefire Set to End This Weekend

In the News
Fox 32 Chicago
Cécile Shea

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

Cecile Shea on Fox 32 Chicago Defense and Security

Tensions Grow Between Trump and Zelensky over Ukraine War Talks

In the News
WGN 9
Paul Poast

"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.

Paul Poast appears on WGN via Zoom US Foreign Policy

The US Won't Abandon Europe

In the News
World Politics Review
Paul Poast

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

 US President Donald Trump at a NATO summit
Markus Schreiber / AP
US Foreign Policy