foreign policy

Foreign Policy has published a piece examining why the war in Ukraine remains deadlocked despite ongoing diplomatic talk. The argument is that neither Kyiv, Moscow, nor outside powers currently have both the incentive and the leverage to force a settlement, leaving the fighting to grind on with no credible path to peace on the horizon.

Australia is being forced to reconsider its longstanding dependence on the United States as a security partner, according to DW News. The report reflects growing debate in Canberra about whether the US alliance remains reliable, prompting discussion about Australia diversifying its defence and diplomatic ties in an increasingly uncertain strategic environment.

America.gov, the US government's public-facing website about American policy and society, is drawing fresh attention this week. The site explains US government institutions, foreign policy, and American culture to international audiences, and is trending in Google searches in the United States.

A former home secretary and foreign secretary deflected questions about a proscription issue during questioning, according to commentary circulating online alongside Palestine ceasefire and Free Palestine hashtags. The remarks have drawn criticism from pro-Palestine voices who view the evasiveness as a refusal to account for government policy on Palestine-related matters.

US Army soldiers have completed their full withdrawal from the US base in Baghdad, ending a military presence that lasted for two decades. The move marks a significant shift in American foreign policy and military engagement in Iraq, closing a chapter that began with the 2003 invasion. Observers are weighing what the departure means for Iraq's security, regional stability, and the future of US influence in the Middle East.

Illinois Congressman Darin LaHood appeared on the 21st Show to defend US military action against Iran, while also laying out his positions on tariffs and potential immigration solutions. The interview touched on three of the most contested issues in current American politics, with LaHood offering a Republican defense of the administration's approach to foreign policy and trade.

An event or discussion titled 'A World Without Secrets: International Politics in an Era of Eroding Secrecy' is being held at Middlebury, examining how states, intelligence agencies and diplomats operate as secrecy becomes harder to maintain. The topic focuses on the consequences of leaks, surveillance and open-source intelligence for international relations and diplomacy.

Charles Trueheart, the American journalist and former diplomat known for writing about the diplomatic 'betrayal' surrounding the US experience in Vietnam, has died at the age of 75. The New York Times reported his death. Trueheart served in diplomatic roles and wrote extensively about American foreign policy, with his work on Vietnam drawing attention to contested chapters of US diplomacy in Southeast Asia.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is leading Iran's diplomatic push around the UN General Assembly in New York, centering his messaging on the recent war, the strategic Strait of Hormuz, and Iran's nuclear rights. His outreach frames Tehran's positions on these issues as the core of its engagement with the international community during the high-level gathering.

Bangladesh's national security adviser Khalilur Rahman is engaged in high-stakes diplomacy at the United Nations, navigating relations with three major powers: Beijing, Moscow and New Delhi. The balancing act highlights Dhaka's effort to manage ties with China, Russia and India simultaneously, a challenge drawing attention given the tensions among those capitals and Bangladesh's own sensitive position between them.

Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic has resigned ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for October, according to Reuters. The report notes that in foreign policy Vucic has pursued a balancing act, seeking closer ties with China, a major investor, and Russia, Serbia's principal supplier of natural gas, while maintaining long-term relations with Western partners. His departure comes at a sensitive political moment as Serbia prepares to vote.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has travelled to Damascus as the European Union prepares a new agreement with Syria and additional support for the country's recovery. Thirteen outlets have covered the visit, reflecting attention to the EU's shifting stance toward Syria's post-conflict government and questions over sanctions relief and reconstruction aid.

The European Union's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, is in Damascus, with coverage framing her visit as a marker of how far relations between Syria and Europe have moved in the two years since dramatic political change in the country. The trip signals the EU's renewed engagement with Syria's new authorities and a possible turn toward restoring diplomatic and economic ties after years of isolation.