Reader Edition

Tuesday, May 19

Trump wears a white USA cap and a dark suit, while pointing at something off-camera
Foreign PolicyMay 19, 2026

Trump Demands Taiwan 'Cool Down' as Tensions With Beijing Mount

President Trump has issued a stern warning to Taiwan to avoid pursuing formal independence, emphasizing his desire to prevent a conflict that would force the United States to intervene.

Monday, May 18

Putin and Xi greeting each other with a handshake, with a red background and the two leaders images in black and white
Foreign PolicyMay 18, 2026

The Sino-Russian Axis: A Calculated Partnership of Convenience

While Western analysts often predict the collapse of the China-Russia relationship, the two nations are forging a resilient, pragmatic partnership built on economic necessity and a mutual desire to dismantle the U.S.-led global order.

US President Donald Trump delivers remarks at an event in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House campus in Washington, DC, USA, 18 May 2026.
Foreign PolicyMay 18, 2026

Trump Pauses Iran Strike at Request of Gulf Allies as Negotiations Intensify

President Trump has temporarily held off on planned military action against Iran following requests from Gulf state leaders, though he maintains that a full-scale assault remains on the table if a deal to dismantle Tehran's nuclear ambition

A woman wearing a black hijab mourns a relative killed in an Israeli air strike, while clutching a portrait of the victim (22/04/26)
Foreign PolicyMay 18, 2026

Israel Strikes Back: Hezbollah's Terror Campaign Faces Consequences

The death toll in Lebanon has surpassed 3,000 as Israel continues its necessary military operations to neutralize the persistent threat posed by the Iran-backed terrorist group Hezbollah.

An Iranian woman walks near a huge billboard referring to the Strait of Hormuz and words reading in Persian 'Forever in Iran's hand' at Vanak square in Tehran, Iran, 06 May 2026.
Foreign PolicyMay 18, 2026

Trump Puts Iran on Notice: 'Clock is Ticking' for Terror-Sponsoring Regime

President Trump has issued a stern ultimatum to Iran, warning that time is running out for the regime to accept U.S. terms or face severe consequences.

Sunday, May 17

Mehrab Abdollahzadeh looks at the camera. He is wearing a blue chequered shirt.
Foreign PolicyMay 17, 2026

Tehran’s Desperate Death Grip: Iranian Regime Accelerates Executions Amid Regional Conflict

As the Iranian regime faces mounting internal instability and the consequences of regional conflicts, it has ramped up the use of the death penalty to crush political opposition and project strength.

A Ukrainian serviceman checks the sky for fpv-drones in the frontline town of Kostyantynivka, Donetsk region, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. taken in 2025
Foreign PolicyMay 17, 2026

Inside the Kill-Zone: Why Boots on the Ground Remain the Ultimate Decider in Ukraine

While drones and advanced weaponry have transformed the front lines in Ukraine, the necessity of soldiers to hold strategic ground remains the decisive factor in the ongoing conflict against Russian aggression.

A large sand-coloured building in the UAE called the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant. In the centre is a large dome while rectangular shaped sections of the building lie to the left, right, and in front of the dome. The sky behind is blue with a few white clouds.
Foreign PolicyMay 17, 2026

Iranian-backed drone strike targets UAE nuclear facility

A drone strike near the UAE's Barakah Nuclear Power Plant has sparked a fire, marking a dangerous escalation in the ongoing regional conflict fueled by Iranian aggression.

A man inspects a damaged apartment building following a Ukrainian drone attack in the Moscow region, Russia. Photo: 17 May 2026
Foreign PolicyMay 17, 2026

Ukraine Strikes Back: Massive Drone Assault Hits Moscow Region

Ukraine launched a significant drone offensive against the Moscow region, hitting oil facilities and military targets as President Zelensky declares the strikes a justified response to Russia's ongoing invasion.

Saturday, May 16

Lu Jianwang leaves New York court
Foreign PolicyMay 16, 2026

Beijing's Long Arm: Chinese Espionage Networks Exposed on American Soil

Federal prosecutors have secured convictions against Chinese agents operating an illegal police station in New York and a compromised California politician, exposing the CCP’s aggressive efforts to monitor dissidents and influence American

A screenshot from a video feed of an FPV drone, it is approaching a tank
Foreign PolicyMay 16, 2026

Hezbollah’s Cheap Drone Tactics Expose New Threats to Israeli Security

Hezbollah is increasingly deploying inexpensive, commercially-sourced FPV drones to evade Israeli electronic countermeasures and strike military assets, forcing the IDF to adapt its defensive posture.