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People are shown from behind as they lean against and look through a barbed-wire fence.
People are shown from behind as they lean against and look through a barbed-wire fence.

What Everyone Is Missing About Ceuta

The history of the disputed exclave should inform what Spain does next.

Argument
Howard W. French
People relax on a beach as smoke rises in the background following a Russian missile strike in Odesa, Ukraine, on July 29.
People relax on a beach as smoke rises in the background following a Russian missile strike in Odesa, Ukraine, on July 29.

Russia and Ukraine Are Mutually Shutting Down the Black Sea

Strikes on ports and ships could portend another global food shortage.

Analysis
Paul Hockenos
Petro, wearing a dark suit and tie, stands with his arms clasped behind his back. Several out-of-focus people are seen behind him. The Colombian flag takes up half the foreground, waving in front of him.
Petro, wearing a dark suit and tie, stands with his arms clasped behind his back. Several out-of-focus people are seen behind him. The Colombian flag takes up half the foreground, waving in front of him.

Latin America’s Second Pink Tide Recedes

The latest leftward shift was shorter-lived and less accomplished than its predecessor.

Latin America Brief
Catherine Osborn
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu casts his ballot at a polling station on election day in Jerusalem on Jan. 22, 2013.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu casts his ballot at a polling station on election day in Jerusalem on Jan. 22, 2013.

Why Israel’s Upcoming Election Might Be Its Most Pivotal

Benjamin Netanyahu’s reelection as prime minister would hasten the illiberal drift.

Analysis
David E. Rosenberg

Asia-Pacific

Four people are on a road, with three of them wearing fave coverings. Behind the are tires that have been lit on fire.
Four people are on a road, with three of them wearing fave coverings. Behind the are tires that have been lit on fire.

What’s Behind the Violence in Pakistan-Administered Kashmir

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman

El Niño Bakes Southeast Asia

India’s Political Atmosphere Has Changed

What’s Behind Indonesia’s Anti-Corruption Crusade? This article has an audio recording

China

A yellow-and-black excavator deposits a bucketful of sand into the bed of a truck parked at the shore of a river. The river water is cloudy and brown, and the beach is similarly brown and lacking vegetation. Two man stand at the shore in the distance, one of them casting a fishing pole.
A yellow-and-black excavator deposits a bucketful of sand into the bed of a truck parked at the shore of a river. The river water is cloudy and brown, and the beach is similarly brown and lacking vegetation. Two man stand at the shore in the distance, one of them casting a fishing pole.

China Launches New Crackdown on Organized Crime

China Brief
James Palmer

China’s Quiet Bet on Methanol Is Paying Off This article has an audio recording

Scandal Exposes Limits of China’s Scientific Rise

China Is AI-Maxxing This article has an audio recording

Europe

A few men, some shirtless and some wearing regular clothes, swim in the shallows along a rocky shore. A soldier in a camouflage uniform looms above them as he stands on a rocky outcrop, looking out at the see. The sky above is hazy; it's difficult to see exact point on the horizon where sky meets sea.
A few men, some shirtless and some wearing regular clothes, swim in the shallows along a rocky shore. A soldier in a camouflage uniform looms above them as he stands on a rocky outcrop, looking out at the see. The sky above is hazy; it's difficult to see exact point on the horizon where sky meets sea.

The Ceuta Crisis Reveals the Limits of European Defense Cooperation This article has an audio recording
Argument
Naman Karl-Thomas Habtom

Europe’s Dangerous Hesitation on Its Own Air Defense

The Cure for Russia’s Labor Shortage Is Worse Than the Disease

Yes, Europe Is a Middle Power, Too This article has an audio recording

Middle East & Africa

Netanyahu gestures as he stands in front of a blue background that has the Israeli prime minister's office logo on it.
Netanyahu gestures as he stands in front of a blue background that has the Israeli prime minister's office logo on it.

Hamas Agreed to Disarm. Why Did Israel Reject the Deal?

Analysis
John Haltiwanger

South Africa’s Global Image Loses Its Luster

A Saudi-Emirati Thaw Can Help Contain Iran This article has an audio recording

Africa’s Financial Third Way This article has an audio recording

Americas

Michigan Democratic Senate primary winner Abdul El-Sayed speaks during a press conference in Detroit, Michigan.
Michigan Democratic Senate primary winner Abdul El-Sayed speaks during a press conference in Detroit, Michigan.

Democrats Are Solving the Wrong Problems

Argument
Fareed Zakaria

Will Trump Destroy the Deep Oceans?

America’s Cosmic Bet on AI

A Patchwork Approach to AI Regulation Is Best—for Now This article has an audio recording

Audio Picks

Listen to these featured articles

FP Weekend

  • A collage image with a photo of Pete Hegseth seen in profile, his mouth open as he yells. Beside him is the cover illustration from the book Psychology of Military Incompetence, depicting a general in uniform, also seen in profile, with military imagery framed inside his head.
    A collage image with a photo of Pete Hegseth seen in profile, his mouth open as he yells. Beside him is the cover illustration from the book Psychology of Military Incompetence, depicting a general in uniform, also seen in profile, with military imagery framed inside his head.

    The Book That Predicted Pete Hegseth’s Failures

    ‘On the Psychology of Military Incompetence’ examines the narrow minds of petty men. This article has an audio recording

    Review
    Keith Johnson

In the Magazine

Current Issue: Summer 2026 Archives
Magazine cover with a light blue background featuring a large hourglass in the center. Inside the top bulb of the hourglass, a small globe of Earth rests on a pile of sand as the grains slip through the narrow neck into the bottom bulb. To the left, the black and white logo "FP" is visible with the text "SUMMER 2026" underneath. To the right, bold text reads "the End of," followed by a stacked list of terms including "The U.S.-Israel alliance," "Neoliberalism," "Trans-Atlanticism," "Climate politics," "The United Nations," "Asylum," "Political parties," "Chinese growth," "Morality," and "The future."
Magazine cover with a light blue background featuring a large hourglass in the center. Inside the top bulb of the hourglass, a small globe of Earth rests on a pile of sand as the grains slip through the narrow neck into the bottom bulb. To the left, the black and white logo "FP" is visible with the text "SUMMER 2026" underneath. To the right, bold text reads "the End of," followed by a stacked list of terms including "The U.S.-Israel alliance," "Neoliberalism," "Trans-Atlanticism," "Climate politics," "The United Nations," "Asylum," "Political parties," "Chinese growth," "Morality," and "The future."
Illustration of a globe sitting atop a marble pedestal with the words I heart Earth on the globe. On the pedestal the words Climate Politics are printed. The image is on a green background.
Illustration of a globe sitting atop a marble pedestal with the words I heart Earth on the globe. On the pedestal the words Climate Politics are printed. The image is on a green background.

How China’s Rise Upended Climate Politics

As the West debated a green energy future, Beijing was building it. This article has an audio recording

Essay
Leah Aronowsky
A museum-style glass display case sits against a solid orange background. Inside the case, on a white surface, are seven small, tattered fragments of fabric arranged in two rows. The fragments feature patterns from the United States flag (red and white stripes, and white stars on a blue field) and the Israeli flag (the blue Star of David and blue stripes on a white field). A small white label on the front left corner of the glass case reads "EXHIBIT I The U.S.-Israel Alliance".
A museum-style glass display case sits against a solid orange background. Inside the case, on a white surface, are seven small, tattered fragments of fabric arranged in two rows. The fragments feature patterns from the United States flag (red and white stripes, and white stars on a blue field) and the Israeli flag (the blue Star of David and blue stripes on a white field). A small white label on the front left corner of the glass case reads "EXHIBIT I The U.S.-Israel Alliance".

The U.S.-Israel Alliance Isn’t Special Anymore

A joint war against Iran might be its apex. This article has an audio recording

Essay
Joshua Leifer

Breaking China’s Golden Streak This article has an audio recording
Essay
James Palmer

Are Political Parties Dinosaurs? This article has an audio recording
Essay
Anton Jäger

Where Neoliberalism Went Wrong

Essay
Branko Milanovic

Is Trans-Atlanticism Really Done? This article has an audio recording
Essay
Nathalie Tocci
Shadow-government-democrats-blue-cutout-3-2
Shadow-government-democrats-blue-cutout-3-2

SHADOW GOVERNMENT: The view from the Democratic opposition

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International nation flags fluter outside the damaged Crown Plaza hotel, following an Iranian military strike, in Manama on March 1, 2026. Fresh blasts were heard across Dubai, Doha and Manama on March 1, as Iran carried out strikes in retaliation for US and Israeli attacks that killed the supreme leader and other top officials on February 28, 2026. (Photo by Fadhel MADAN / AFP via Getty Images)
International nation flags fluter outside the damaged Crown Plaza hotel, following an Iranian military strike, in Manama on March 1, 2026. Fresh blasts were heard across Dubai, Doha and Manama on March 1, as Iran carried out strikes in retaliation for US and Israeli attacks that killed the supreme leader and other top officials on February 28, 2026. (Photo by Fadhel MADAN / AFP via Getty Images)

The Gulf’s Postwar Playbook

Iran may be inching closer to a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but for the other countries along the Persian Gulf, the... READ MORE

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Subscribers’ Picks

A battle scene from the film ‘The Odyssey’ by director Christopher Nolan.
A battle scene from the film ‘The Odyssey’ by director Christopher Nolan.

Odysseus at the End of Civilization

Nolan’s film confronts the betrayal of the West’s own values. This article has an audio recording

Review
Bret Devereaux
People pass a banner depicting U.S. President Donald Trump with a target on his head during funeral ceremonies for Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei at the Grand Mosalla in Tehran on July 5.
People pass a banner depicting U.S. President Donald Trump with a target on his head during funeral ceremonies for Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei at the Grand Mosalla in Tehran on July 5.

There’s Only One Way Out of Trump’s Reckless War

Pay off Iran to open Hormuz and freeze its nuclear program. This article has an audio recording

Shadow Government
Philip H. Gordon
A woman crosses a road in front of a mural depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin in Kashira, Russia, southeast of Moscow, on Oct. 16, 2017.
A woman crosses a road in front of a mural depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin in Kashira, Russia, southeast of Moscow, on Oct. 16, 2017.

The Western Myth of Russian Greatness

There is a long history of foreigners idealizing Russia and exaggerating its power.

Argument
Christian Caryl
U.S. President Donald Trump and military leaders are seen watching U.S. troops in a demonstration, which includes paratroopers.
U.S. President Donald Trump and military leaders are seen watching U.S. troops in a demonstration, which includes paratroopers.

How a U.S. Ground Operation in Iran Could Unfold

Military experts said limited raids could happen, but a large-scale invasion is unlikely. This article has an audio recording

Analysis
John Haltiwanger
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fp-collections-icon-550x367

COLLECTIONS: Download PDFs on the trade wars, the AI arms race, and the scramble for critical minerals.

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An Iranian flag flutters in the wind as ships remain anchored in the Strait of Hormuz on May 16.
An Iranian flag flutters in the wind as ships remain anchored in the Strait of Hormuz on May 16.

Ranking the World’s Top 5 Chokepoints This article has an audio recording
Insider
Ravi Agrawal
A Trojan horse statue on top of a rock reading, "The Odyssey."
A Trojan horse statue on top of a rock reading, "The Odyssey."

What Homer’s ‘Odyssey’ Tells Us About the Economics of the Bronze Age This article has an audio recording
Insider
Cameron Abadi, Adam Tooze
The shadow of a pump jack is seen against a sunset.
The shadow of a pump jack is seen against a sunset.

Why Energy Prices Didn’t Soar Higher This Year This article has an audio recording
Insider
Ravi Agrawal

Books

  • Book cover titled "Journey to Nowhere" by Shiva Naipaul featuring a brown background with an orange line drawing of an empty drinking glass, with the text "A New World Tragedy" at the bottom left and "Introduction by Hua Hsu" at the bottom right.
    Book cover titled "Journey to Nowhere" by Shiva Naipaul featuring a brown background with an orange line drawing of an empty drinking glass, with the text "A New World Tragedy" at the bottom left and "Introduction by Hua Hsu" at the bottom right.

    The Jonestown Massacre in Black and White

    Review
    James Palmer
  • The book cover for "How to Kill a Language" by Sophia Smith Galer features an off-white background with a textured, slightly distressed look. The main title, "HOW TO KILL A LANGUAGE," is written in large, bold orange block letters, where some letters feature faint outlines of maps inside them. Below the title, the subtitle reads, "Power, Resistance, and the Race to Save Our Words" in a smaller black, typewriter-style font. The author's name, "SOPHIA SMITH GALER," is displayed at the bottom in the same large, orange block-letter style.
    The book cover for "How to Kill a Language" by Sophia Smith Galer features an off-white background with a textured, slightly distressed look. The main title, "HOW TO KILL A LANGUAGE," is written in large, bold orange block letters, where some letters feature faint outlines of maps inside them. Below the title, the subtitle reads, "Power, Resistance, and the Race to Save Our Words" in a smaller black, typewriter-style font. The author's name, "SOPHIA SMITH GALER," is displayed at the bottom in the same large, orange block-letter style.

    Inside the Race to Protect Ukrainian This article has an audio recording
    Excerpt
    Sophia Smith Galer
  • The book cover has a bold red background. At the top, the title "LULA" is written in large, white, sans-serif block letters. Below it, the subtitle reads, "A People's President and the Fight for Brazil's Future." The central image shows a man with white hair and a beard from the side, wearing a blue shirt and raising his right fist high in the air. At the bottom of the cover, the author's name, "ANDRE PAGLIARINI," is printed in white capital letters.
    The book cover has a bold red background. At the top, the title "LULA" is written in large, white, sans-serif block letters. Below it, the subtitle reads, "A People's President and the Fight for Brazil's Future." The central image shows a man with white hair and a beard from the side, wearing a blue shirt and raising his right fist high in the air. At the bottom of the cover, the author's name, "ANDRE PAGLIARINI," is printed in white capital letters.

    Will Lula Win the Century? This article has an audio recording
    Review
    Vincent Bevins

Trending

  1. Why the United States Keeps Losing Wars

    Analysis
    Stephen M. Walt

  2. Is Iran Winning the Battle Over the Strait of Hormuz?

    World Brief
    Alexandra Sharp

  3. The Saudis Are the Architects of Their Own Misfortune

    Argument
    Steven A. Cook

  4. What Everyone Is Missing About Ceuta

    Argument
    Howard W. French

  5. Why Israel’s Upcoming Election Might Be Its Most Pivotal

    Analysis
    David E. Rosenberg

  6. America’s Cosmic Bet on AI

    Essay
    Graham Allison

  7. The Book That Predicted Pete Hegseth’s Failures This article has an audio recording
    Review
    Keith Johnson

  8. Odysseus at the End of Civilization This article has an audio recording
    Review
    Bret Devereaux

Visual Stories

A man viewed from behind wearing a dark robe and a red-and-white keffiyeh stands outdoors near a large, colorful roadside structure with flags mounted on top under a clear blue sky.
A man viewed from behind wearing a dark robe and a red-and-white keffiyeh stands outdoors near a large, colorful roadside structure with flags mounted on top under a clear blue sky.

What Remains of Rojava

In northeastern Syria, Kurdish leaders continue to fight a rear-guard battle for autonomy.

Hanna Davis
A small motorboat leaves a white, foaming wake as it navigates calm blue water toward a coastal village lined with colorful houses scattered across rocky hillsides under a clear sky.
A small motorboat leaves a white, foaming wake as it navigates calm blue water toward a coastal village lined with colorful houses scattered across rocky hillsides under a clear sky.

Riding the Greenland Ferry

Traveling along the coast, Greenlanders explain what the world misunderstands about their island.

Ben Buckland

Latest

In Case You Missed It

A selection of paywall-free articles

  • A creative illustration against a pale yellow background showing a garden planter containing a dense green hedge. Five human arms emerge from the hedge, with four of the hands holding small flags of China, Russia, the United States, and the European Union, while the fifth hand holds the flag of India.
    A creative illustration against a pale yellow background showing a garden planter containing a dense green hedge. Five human arms emerge from the hedge, with four of the hands holding small flags of China, Russia, the United States, and the European Union, while the fifth hand holds the flag of India.

    Hedging Is the New Normal

    For the foreseeable future, successful statecraft will depend on hedging. This article has an audio recording

    Argument
    Suzanne Nossel
FP-Tote-Old-Logo-Devices-Homepage-1000x400-#64AA7F-No-Stars
FP-Tote-Old-Logo-Devices-Homepage-1000x400-#64AA7F-No-Stars

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