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Alexandra Sharp
@alexandrassharp.bsky.social
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World Brief writer @foreignpolicy.com | Chicago pride | She/Her/Hers | Send tips to: alexandra.sharp@foreignpolicy.com
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U.S. President Donald Trump welcomes Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa to the White House in an effort to secure a new Middle East ally.

foreignpolicy.com/2025/11/10/t...
Sharaa’s White House Visit Marks a Reshaping of the Regional Order
Trump is courting the jihadi-turned-statesman to secure a new ally in the Middle East.
foreignpolicy.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:40 PM
alexandrassharp.bsky.social
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is hoping that by flattering U.S. President Donald Trump, Budapest will be made exempt from sanctions on Russian oil imports. His strategy appears to be working.

foreignpolicy.com/2025/11/07/t...
Orban Seeks Exemption From U.S. Penalties on Russian Oil Imports
Hungary hopes that flattering Trump will keep Russian energy flowing to the country.
foreignpolicy.com
November 7, 2025 at 10:01 PM
alexandrassharp.bsky.social
U.S. President Donald Trump is courting Central Asia for its critical minerals in a bid to bolster U.S. influence in the region, long dominated by Russia and China.

foreignpolicy.com/2025/11/06/t...
Trump Seeks to Counter Russia, China in Their Own Backyard
Signing rare-earth deals with Central Asian nations would bolster U.S. influence in the mineral-rich region.
foreignpolicy.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:47 PM
alexandrassharp.bsky.social
Democrats sweep state and local U.S. elections in a major blow to U.S. President Donald Trump’s mandate. Lawmakers on the left hope that such wins foreshadow what midterm election results will look like next year.

foreignpolicy.com/2025/11/05/u...
Sweeping Democratic Wins Serve as a Referendum on Trump 2.0
State and local election results cast hope for Democratic ambitions in next year’s midterms.
foreignpolicy.com
November 5, 2025 at 9:42 PM
alexandrassharp.bsky.social
U.N. chief António Guterres warns of spiraling conflict in Sudan after paramilitary forces seize the city of El Fasher.

foreignpolicy.com/2025/11/04/s...
The Fall of El Fasher Marks Another Dark Turn in Sudan’s Civil War
Under Rapid Support Forces control, civilians face summary execution, sexual violence, and famine, experts say.
foreignpolicy.com
November 4, 2025 at 9:58 PM
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Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan is sworn in for a second term after vote-rigging allegations and deadly protests rock the country.

foreignpolicy.com/2025/11/03/t...
Tanzania’s President Sworn In Amid Political Crisis
Samia Suluhu Hassan begins her second term after vote-rigging allegations and deadly protests rocked the country.
foreignpolicy.com
November 3, 2025 at 9:29 PM
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Chinese President Xi Jinping takes the spotlight at APEC in an effort to portray Beijing as a champion of free trade amid high U.S. tariffs.

foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/31/x...
Xi Takes the Spotlight at APEC Summit in Trump’s Absence
China aims to portray itself as a champion of free trade amid high U.S. tariffs.
foreignpolicy.com
October 31, 2025 at 8:27 PM
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U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping reach a trade truce. Of the two leaders, though, Xi appears to be the bigger winner.

foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/30/t...
Trump and Xi Reach a Trade Truce
Beijing appears to be the bigger winner, leveraging Washington’s reliance on China to lower steep U.S. duties.
foreignpolicy.com
October 30, 2025 at 9:18 PM
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South Korea rolls out the red carpet for U.S. President Donald Trump in an effort to secure a better trade deal. Gifts and flattery appear to be working.

foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/29/t...
South Korea Courts Trump During Visit
East Asian countries are using a tried-and-true method to woo the U.S. president and secure better trade deals.
foreignpolicy.com
October 29, 2025 at 9:18 PM
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China expands its free trade agreement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, aiming to portray itself as the bloc’s alternative to the United States.

foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/28/c...
China vs. the U.S.: Who Will Win Over ASEAN?
Beijing is hoping to use an expanded free trade deal to portray itself as the bloc’s alternative to the United States.
foreignpolicy.com
October 28, 2025 at 8:40 PM
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After signing several trade deals at this weekend’s ASEAN summit, U.S. President Donald Trump is turning his attention to Washington’s East Asian partners—namely, Japan.

foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/27/t...
Trump, Takaichi Seek New Trade, Security Opportunities to Counter China
After signing several trade deals at the ASEAN summit, the U.S. president is turning his attention to Washington’s East Asian partners.
foreignpolicy.com
October 27, 2025 at 9:01 PM
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Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney seeks new Asian trade partners after U.S. President Donald Trump cancels U.S.-Canada talks.

foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/24/c...
Canada Seeks New Trade Partners in Asia After Trump’s Blowup
Prime Minister Mark Carney hopes to decrease Ottawa’s dependence on Washington.
foreignpolicy.com
October 24, 2025 at 9:42 PM
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The European Union approves sweeping sanctions on Russian oil, gas, and banking. The package aims to choke off the revenue that supplies the Kremlin’s war effort.

foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/23/e...
The EU, U.S. Hit Russia Where It Hurts
Sweeping sanctions packages aim to curb funding for Moscow’s war effort.
foreignpolicy.com
October 23, 2025 at 8:32 PM
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NATO chief Mark Rutte travels to Washington for a surprise meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump and members of Congress. On the agenda: a new European proposal to end the Russia-Ukraine war.

foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/22/m...
Rutte Holds a Last-Minute Meeting With Trump on Russia-Ukraine
Ahead of the meeting, the NATO chief stoked the U.S. president’s ego and brushed off concerns about a lack of progress in cease-fire talks.
foreignpolicy.com
October 22, 2025 at 8:35 PM
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Japan elects Sanae Takaichi as its first female prime minister, ending a three-month political vacuum and foreshadowing a larger shift further right.

foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/21/j...
Japan Elects Sanae Takaichi as First Female Prime Minister
The ultraconservative is expected to move the country further to the right.
foreignpolicy.com
October 21, 2025 at 7:35 PM
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U.S. President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese sign a landmark critical minerals deal to counter China’s near monopoly on rare earth supply chains.

foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/20/t...
Trump, Albanese Sign Major Critical Minerals Deal
The agreement aims to counter China’s near monopoly on supply chains.
foreignpolicy.com
October 20, 2025 at 8:55 PM
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U.S. President Donald Trump hosts Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss a potential U.S. Tomahawks missile deal.

foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/17/t...
U.S. Tomahawks Become New Flash Point in Trump-Zelensky Talks
Where once the White House appeared inclined to sell the weapons to Kyiv, Trump seems to be reconsidering.
foreignpolicy.com
October 17, 2025 at 9:25 PM
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French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu survives two no-confidence votes in the National Assembly. But with 2026 budget negotiations set to begin next week, Lecornu is not out of hot water yet.

foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/16/f...
Lecornu Survives Two No-Confidence Votes—at a Price
Bargaining with the president’s pension reform plan may not secure the support that Paris needs to pass a budget.
foreignpolicy.com
October 16, 2025 at 9:20 PM
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Hamas returns the wrong hostage to Israel, testing the two sides’ precarious cease-fire deal.

foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/15/i...
Hamas Returns Wrong Hostage to Israel, Testing Fragile Gaza Cease-Fire
Israel has threatened to withhold humanitarian aid deliveries into Gaza over Hamas’s slow return efforts.
foreignpolicy.com
October 15, 2025 at 9:10 PM
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Israeli forces fire on Palestinians in northern Gaza—just days after a cease-fire deal went into effect.

foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/14/i...
Israeli Forces Fire on Palestinians in Northern Gaza
The incident comes days after a cease-fire went into effect in Gaza.
foreignpolicy.com
October 14, 2025 at 8:50 PM
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The Israel-Hamas cease-fire takes effect in Gaza. Now, the next 72 hours will see a slew of diplomatic meetings, more aid entering the enclave, and a hostage-prisoner swap.

foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/10/i...
The Israel-Hamas Cease-Fire Has Taken Effect. What’s Next?
The next 72 hours are expected to see a hostage-prisoner swap, more aid entering Gaza, and a slew of diplomatic meetings.
foreignpolicy.com
October 10, 2025 at 9:20 PM
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Israel and Hamas inch closer to a peace deal, with high-level negotiators arriving in Egypt for indirect talks.

foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/08/i...
Israel, Hamas Inch Closer to an Exchange Deal
But several points of contention remain, even as new high-level negotiators join the fray.
foreignpolicy.com
October 8, 2025 at 9:39 PM
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Two years on, the world reflects on Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel and the subsequent devastating war in Gaza. But indirect peace talks are igniting new hopes of an end to the conflict.

foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/07/i...
Two Years On: Where the Israel-Hamas War Stands Now
Indirect peace talks are igniting new hopes of an end to the conflict.
foreignpolicy.com
October 7, 2025 at 8:20 PM
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Israel and Hamas hold indirect talks in Egypt focused on the details of a hostage exchange deal as well as the partial withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/06/i...
Israel, Hamas Hold Indirect Negotiations on Gaza
Hamas is seeking guarantees that Israel will not restart its military campaign once the group frees its remaining hostages.
foreignpolicy.com
October 6, 2025 at 8:39 PM
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Israeli forces intercept the final Gaza-bound ship in a humanitarian aid flotilla—sparking global anger from world leaders and rights activists.

foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/03/i...
Global Condemnation Erupts Over Israel’s Seizure of Gaza Aid Flotilla
The incident has further highlighted the immediacy of Gaza’s humanitarian crisis.
foreignpolicy.com
October 3, 2025 at 8:51 PM