US Foreign Policy
Rigorous, nonpartisan analysis of American diplomacy, defense, sanctions and trade, and congressional oversight — sourced, cited, and refreshed daily.
Latest Briefing
U.S. UN Dues Strategy in 2026
Peacekeeping arrears, congressional caps, and burden-sharing math are no longer accounting details. They are now shaping U.S. leverage at the United Nations.
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Foreign Aid Reset Meets Budget Reality
Washington's aid overhaul is now a congressional appropriations test, as State seeks to absorb USAID functions while lawmakers rewrite FY2026 and FY2027 funding lines.
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U.S.-Iran Sanctions Reset Hits Limits
Washington is signaling sanctions relief to secure Iran diplomacy while expanding OFAC designations, exposing legal, congressional, and enforcement limits.
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U.S.-Japan-Philippines Deterrence Test
Washington's trilateral with Tokyo and Manila moved from summit optics to alliance architecture. The next test is funding, posture, and legal durability.
Live Wire — latest foreign-policy news
Aggregated daily from public news and government RSS feeds, with attribution and links back to each source.
Last updated October 17, 2026
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GOP lawmakers bash Trump's decision to waive Russia sanctions: 'Beyond irresponsible'
Several GOP lawmakers criticized President Trump’s move to exempt Russia from the sanctions bill he signed law last month, with Sen. Thom Tillis (R- N.C.) calling the move "beyond irresponsible." Trump signed an executive order Friday…
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Fraud, affordability and Trump policies drive friction in Minnesota Senate debate
The major party candidates for Minnesota's U.S. Senate seat faced off in an hourlong debate Friday on MPR News with fraud, affordability and fallout from the Trump administration's policies as key points of friction.
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Week in Politics: Trump's Russian diesel deal update; why the DOJ is suing California
We look at where things are in the deal President Trump says he made to import Russian diesel, plus the reason why the Justice Department is suing California.
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Decades after apartheid, South Africans seek justice for crimes of the past
More than three decades after the end of apartheid, families of victims of some of the worst crimes of South Africa's past are still fighting for justice. As survivors and perpetrators grow older, a new wave of legal efforts is seeking…
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Ukraine faces grim question of whether it can take on Russia without US backing
The disruptions this week in U.S. support for Ukraine have forced Kyiv to face a grim question: Can it stay in the fight against Russia without any of President Trump’s already diminished support? Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has…
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Sidewalk sleepers: They have nowhere else to stay while a loved one is in the hospital
Patients travel miles to be treated at public hospitals in Delhi. Those in need get financial aid for their care. But for overnight accommodations, families are often on their own — and on the street.
Global economic indicators
Foreign-policy-relevant economic series, refreshed daily.
Last updated October 17, 2026
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Nominal Broad U.S. Dollar Index
121.6023 Index Jan 2006=100
▲ +0.16
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Trade Balance: Goods and Services, Balance of Payments Basis
-105572 Millions of Dollars
▼ -12746.00
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Crude Oil Prices: West Texas Intermediate (WTI) - Cushing, Oklahoma
101.91 Dollars per Barrel
▲ +1.05
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Imports of Goods and Services
4674.908 Billions of Dollars
▲ +306.80
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Exports of Goods and Services
3794.645 Billions of Dollars
▲ +247.32
Recent Analysis
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U.S. UN Dues Strategy in 2026
U.S. strategy at the UN now hinges on peacekeeping dues, congressional caps, and burden sharing. The diplomatic cost of arrears is rising in 2026.
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Foreign Aid Reset Meets Budget Reality
Washington's aid overhaul is now a congressional appropriations test, as State seeks to absorb USAID functions while lawmakers rewrite FY2026 and FY2027 funding lines.
-
U.S.-Iran Sanctions Reset Hits Limits
Washington is signaling sanctions relief to secure Iran diplomacy while expanding OFAC designations, exposing legal, congressional, and enforcement limits.
-
U.S.-Japan-Philippines Deterrence Test
Washington's trilateral with Tokyo and Manila moved from summit optics to alliance architecture. The next test is funding, posture, and legal durability.
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Intelligence Community Revises China-Taiwan Timeline, Warns of Escalating Homeland Threats
The 2026 IC report no longer projects a 2027 Taiwan invasion, but warns China, Russia, and North Korea are developing missiles that can reach U.S. soil.
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Pentagon's AUKUS Review Raises Doubts About Virginia-Class Submarine Deliveries
A Pentagon review and CRS report raise questions about whether Australia will receive Virginia-class submarines under the $240 billion AUKUS pact.
About US Foreign Policy
US Foreign Policy provides rigorous, nonpartisan analysis of American diplomacy and global strategy — State Department initiatives, defense and security policy, sanctions and trade regimes, and congressional oversight of foreign affairs. Independent site — not a government website. Displays public data with attribution to its sources.
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