Must-reads from the past seven days: Hegseth, Iran, French protests

Catch up on Foreign Policy’s most popular stories from the last week. Join today to unlock every article for as low as $19.99.

EXPLORE PLANS
 
Supporters of Taiwan’s main opposition party, the Kuomintang, participate in a rally against the recall election in Taipei on July 25, 2025.

China Doesn’t Need to Invade Taiwan to Control It A bloodless political victory may be far harder for Washington to handle.

Keep reading

U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are shown in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington on Sept. 24.

What Xi Actually Thinks of Trump China’s president has likely concluded that the U.S. under Trump has lost its way.

Keep reading

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Dan Caine depart following a national ceremony for POW/MIA Recognition Day in Arlington, Virginia, on Sept. 18.

Everyone Got Pete Hegseth Wrong The secretary of defense is now the most influential senior official in the Trump administration.

Keep reading

Shiite Iraqi tribal leaders hold hands with Sunni residents of a home in Sadr City, Baghdad, on Dec. 10, 2006.

Trump Is Reopening the Middle East’s Deadliest Sectarian Fault Lines Washington is pressing Shiite groups to disarm while ignoring the real fears that keep them armed.

Keep reading

Protesters gather in the center of Place de la République at the end of a demonstration in Paris on Oct. 6.

To Understand France’s Unrest, Look Back to 1982 François Mitterrand’s U-turn decades ago holds lessons for today.

Keep reading

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City on Sept. 22.

Here’s What to Do About Trump’s War Crimes Despite the obstacles, foreign governments and U.S. lawmakers can begin the process of holding the president accountable.

Keep reading

Russian President Vladimir Putin leaves after being greeted by Chinese President Xi Jinping at a summit in Shanghai on May 21, 2014.

America’s Best Answer to the China-Russia Alliance Washington can exploit friction, strengthen allies, and make the axis harder to sustain.

Keep reading

China Doesn’t Need to Invade Taiwan to Control It
A bloodless political victory may be far harder for Washington to handle.

Keep reading

What Xi Actually Thinks of Trump
China’s president has likely concluded that the U.S. under Trump has lost its way.

Keep reading

Everyone Got Pete Hegseth Wrong
The secretary of defense is now the most influential senior official in the Trump administration.

Keep reading

Trump Is Reopening the Middle East’s Deadliest Sectarian Fault Lines
Washington is pressing Shiite groups to disarm while ignoring the real fears that keep them armed.

Keep reading

To Understand France’s Unrest, Look Back to 1982
François Mitterrand’s U-turn decades ago holds lessons for today.