Commentary and Analysis

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.

"Rather than changing the global order, COVID-19 was more a reflection and product of that order," Paul Poast writes.

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

"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.

Despite his best efforts, Trump will ultimately not steer US policy in a direction that isn't already dictated by the international system, Paul Poast argues.

Steven Erlanger and Stefan Kornelius join Ivo Daalder to discuss the week's top news stories.

Distinguished Fellow Catherine Bertini joins Chicago Tonight to discuss the impacts of the USAID freeze, particularly on global hunger and health.

"There are good arguments for US foreign aid," Paul Poast writes. "They've just never held much sway with Americans."

"In Trump’s world, it does little good to use the language of treaties or rules or laws," Ivo Daalder writes in his latest Politico Europe piece.

"It’s no wonder that many see Trump taking US foreign policy in a darker, more coercive direction," Paul Poast argues.