Commentary and Analysis

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

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

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.

The US and Russian governments argued last week about who should get the credit for winning World War II. Both have the wrong takeaway, Paul Poast writes.

Pope Francis wasn't afraid to wield the Catholic Church's moral authority, which remains a potent force in world politics, Paul Poast writes.

"The hard reality is that the application of rules, be they domestic or international, comes down to exercises of power," Paul Poast writes.

Several states that had long been under the US nuclear umbrella are considering developing their own nuclear weapons. Paul Poast digs into the implications.

The norm against territorial conquest has underpinned the post-World War II rules-based order—but it seems to be weakening, Paul Poast writes.

Are Trump's demands different in kind from how allies have historically interacted? Paul Poast weighs in.

Restrictions on international economic flows—like Trump's tariffs—seem to be obviously bad. But politically speaking, that isn't always the case, Paul Poast argues.