World Politics Review
@wpr.bsky.social
In-depth news and expert analysis on global affairs. Get our newsletter: http://wpr.vu/WLXl50xfgXt
Commentators keep characterizing Trump’s foreign policy as “realist.” But what exactly is Realism? And does Trump’s foreign policy actually resemble it?
Trump Is a Case Study for Realism, Not of Realism
Characterizations of Trump’s foreign policy as realist raise two questions: What exactly is Realism? And does Trump’s foreign policy actually resemble it?
www.worldpoliticsreview.com
February 7, 2026 at 8:53 PM
Commentators keep characterizing Trump’s foreign policy as “realist.” But what exactly is Realism? And does Trump’s foreign policy actually resemble it?
Framing private capital as a silver-bullet substitute for public development resources is an error that primarily serves to gloss over funding cuts.
The Private Sector Alone Can’t Fill the Development Aid Gap
Private capital has a role to play in development, but it cannot fill the entirety of the void left by cuts in official development assistance.
www.worldpoliticsreview.com
February 7, 2026 at 4:48 PM
Framing private capital as a silver-bullet substitute for public development resources is an error that primarily serves to gloss over funding cuts.
The Iranian regime’s ruthless response to recent protests was predictable.
More surprising was the name that emerged from the chants of protesters: that of Reza Pahlavi, son of the deceased former shah of Iran.
More surprising was the name that emerged from the chants of protesters: that of Reza Pahlavi, son of the deceased former shah of Iran.
Iran’s Protests Have Raised the Profile of a Surprising Figure
The Iranian regime’s ruthless response to recent protests was predictable. More surprising was the rise of the exiled crown prince’s popular appeal.
www.worldpoliticsreview.com
February 6, 2026 at 8:00 PM
The Iranian regime’s ruthless response to recent protests was predictable.
More surprising was the name that emerged from the chants of protesters: that of Reza Pahlavi, son of the deceased former shah of Iran.
More surprising was the name that emerged from the chants of protesters: that of Reza Pahlavi, son of the deceased former shah of Iran.
The African continent is facing one crisis after another, and yet the African Union has not played a meaningful role in tackling any of them. Why?
The African Union’s Confounding Absenteeism
With the African continent facing one crisis after another, the AU has not played a meaningful role in tackling any of them.
www.worldpoliticsreview.com
February 6, 2026 at 7:01 PM
The African continent is facing one crisis after another, and yet the African Union has not played a meaningful role in tackling any of them. Why?
More than a year into Trump’s second term, there’s still no consensus about whether his foreign policy should be considered realist.
In his latest column, @profpaulpoast.bsky.social gets to the bottom of the debate:
In his latest column, @profpaulpoast.bsky.social gets to the bottom of the debate:
Trump Is a Case Study for Realism, Not of Realism
Characterizations of Trump’s foreign policy as realist raise two questions: What exactly is Realism? And does Trump’s foreign policy actually resemble it?
www.worldpoliticsreview.com
February 6, 2026 at 5:00 PM
More than a year into Trump’s second term, there’s still no consensus about whether his foreign policy should be considered realist.
In his latest column, @profpaulpoast.bsky.social gets to the bottom of the debate:
In his latest column, @profpaulpoast.bsky.social gets to the bottom of the debate:
Private capital has a role to play in development, but it cannot fill the entirety of the void left by cuts in official development assistance, Fenja Tramsen writes.
The Private Sector Alone Can’t Fill the Development Aid Gap
Private capital has a role to play in development, but it cannot fill the entirety of the void left by cuts in official development assistance.
www.worldpoliticsreview.com
February 6, 2026 at 4:01 PM
Private capital has a role to play in development, but it cannot fill the entirety of the void left by cuts in official development assistance, Fenja Tramsen writes.
The Iranian regime’s ruthless response to recent protests was predictable, even if it was shocking in its scale.
What was genuinely surprising, however, was the name that emerged from the chants of protesters.
What was genuinely surprising, however, was the name that emerged from the chants of protesters.
Iran’s Protests Have Raised the Profile of a Surprising Figure
The Iranian regime’s ruthless response to recent protests was predictable. More surprising was the rise of the exiled crown prince’s popular appeal.
www.worldpoliticsreview.com
February 5, 2026 at 11:00 PM
The Iranian regime’s ruthless response to recent protests was predictable, even if it was shocking in its scale.
What was genuinely surprising, however, was the name that emerged from the chants of protesters.
What was genuinely surprising, however, was the name that emerged from the chants of protesters.
The African continent is currently wracked by crises. And while they are all driven by local factors, they also all share a common feature: the African Union’s silence and powerlessness in response.
The African Union’s Confounding Absenteeism
With the African continent facing one crisis after another, the AU has not played a meaningful role in tackling any of them.
www.worldpoliticsreview.com
February 5, 2026 at 9:00 PM
The African continent is currently wracked by crises. And while they are all driven by local factors, they also all share a common feature: the African Union’s silence and powerlessness in response.
Europe’s dependence on foreign-made drones and parts—especially from China—is a national security risk.
Europe Needs to Wean Itself Off Chinese Drones
Europe’s dependence on foreign-made drones and parts—especially from China—is a national security risk.
www.worldpoliticsreview.com
February 5, 2026 at 8:01 PM
Europe’s dependence on foreign-made drones and parts—especially from China—is a national security risk.
One month after the U.S. raid on Caracas, the aftermath of the attack is accelerating regional fragmentation across Latin America.
As Benjamin N. Gedan and Nicolás Albertoni write, that’s not in the U.S. interest.
As Benjamin N. Gedan and Nicolás Albertoni write, that’s not in the U.S. interest.
The Trump Corollary and the Fracturing of Latin America
Trump’s Jan. 3 attack on Venezuela has accelerated regional fragmentation at a time of deep ideological polarization.
www.worldpoliticsreview.com
February 5, 2026 at 7:02 PM
One month after the U.S. raid on Caracas, the aftermath of the attack is accelerating regional fragmentation across Latin America.
As Benjamin N. Gedan and Nicolás Albertoni write, that’s not in the U.S. interest.
As Benjamin N. Gedan and Nicolás Albertoni write, that’s not in the U.S. interest.
The Iranian regime’s ruthless response to recent protests was predictable.
More surprising was the rise of the exiled crown prince’s popular appeal, @fridaghitis.bsky.social writes.
More surprising was the rise of the exiled crown prince’s popular appeal, @fridaghitis.bsky.social writes.
Iran’s Protests Have Raised the Profile of a Surprising Figure
The Iranian regime’s ruthless response to recent protests was predictable. More surprising was the rise of the exiled crown prince’s popular appeal.
www.worldpoliticsreview.com
February 5, 2026 at 6:00 PM
The Iranian regime’s ruthless response to recent protests was predictable.
More surprising was the rise of the exiled crown prince’s popular appeal, @fridaghitis.bsky.social writes.
More surprising was the rise of the exiled crown prince’s popular appeal, @fridaghitis.bsky.social writes.
The African continent is facing one crisis after another, and yet the African Union has not played a meaningful role in tackling any of them, Abd-el-Kader Cheref writes.
The African Union’s Confounding Absenteeism
With the African continent facing one crisis after another, the AU has not played a meaningful role in tackling any of them.
www.worldpoliticsreview.com
February 5, 2026 at 3:00 PM
The African continent is facing one crisis after another, and yet the African Union has not played a meaningful role in tackling any of them, Abd-el-Kader Cheref writes.
The U.S. raid on Caracas did more than forcibly remove Maduro from power. It also accelerated regional fragmentation at a time of deep ideological polarization in the region, Benjamin N. Gedan and Nicolás Albertoni write.
The Trump Corollary and the Fracturing of Latin America
Trump’s Jan. 3 attack on Venezuela has accelerated regional fragmentation at a time of deep ideological polarization.
www.worldpoliticsreview.com
February 5, 2026 at 1:50 PM
The U.S. raid on Caracas did more than forcibly remove Maduro from power. It also accelerated regional fragmentation at a time of deep ideological polarization in the region, Benjamin N. Gedan and Nicolás Albertoni write.
By relying on drones and parts predominantly produced in China, the West has effectively put itself in a relationship of dependence with a rival and potential adversary, @rikefranke.bsky.social writes.
Europe Needs to Wean Itself Off Chinese Drones
Europe’s dependence on foreign-made drones and parts—especially from China—is a national security risk.
www.worldpoliticsreview.com
February 4, 2026 at 11:00 PM
By relying on drones and parts predominantly produced in China, the West has effectively put itself in a relationship of dependence with a rival and potential adversary, @rikefranke.bsky.social writes.
Turmoil at the senior echelons of China’s military will make U.S.-China communication even more difficult and increase the risk of miscalculation.
Xi’s Military Purge Makes War Over Taiwan More Likely
Turmoil at the senior echelons of China’s military make U.S.-China communication even more difficult and increase the risk of miscalculation.
www.worldpoliticsreview.com
February 4, 2026 at 8:01 PM
Turmoil at the senior echelons of China’s military will make U.S.-China communication even more difficult and increase the risk of miscalculation.
A terrorist designation for the IRGC shows that Europe is quickly recognizing how to counter gray-zone competition.
Europe’s IRGC Sanctions Show It’s Learning to Fight a Gray-Zone War
Europe is countering gray-zone competition with legal clarity about covert networks that prop up autocracy and enable military aggression.
www.worldpoliticsreview.com
February 4, 2026 at 7:02 PM
A terrorist designation for the IRGC shows that Europe is quickly recognizing how to counter gray-zone competition.
Europe’s dependence on foreign-made drones and parts—especially from China—is a national security risk, @rikefranke.bsky.social writes.
Europe Needs to Wean Itself Off Chinese Drones
Europe’s dependence on foreign-made drones and parts—especially from China—is a national security risk.
www.worldpoliticsreview.com
February 4, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Europe’s dependence on foreign-made drones and parts—especially from China—is a national security risk, @rikefranke.bsky.social writes.
Trump’s Jan. 3 attack on Venezuela has accelerated regional fragmentation at a time of deep ideological polarization, Benjamin N. Gedan and Nicolás Albertoni write.
The Trump Corollary and the Fracturing of Latin America
Trump’s Jan. 3 attack on Venezuela has accelerated regional fragmentation at a time of deep ideological polarization.
www.worldpoliticsreview.com
February 4, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Trump’s Jan. 3 attack on Venezuela has accelerated regional fragmentation at a time of deep ideological polarization, Benjamin N. Gedan and Nicolás Albertoni write.
With the purge of China’s highest-ranking military officer, it is clear that Xi now dominates the People’s Liberation Army in a way that other recent Chinese leaders have not. What does that mean for Taiwan?
Xi’s Military Purge Makes War Over Taiwan More Likely
Turmoil at the senior echelons of China’s military make U.S.-China communication even more difficult and increase the risk of miscalculation.
www.worldpoliticsreview.com
February 3, 2026 at 11:00 PM
With the purge of China’s highest-ranking military officer, it is clear that Xi now dominates the People’s Liberation Army in a way that other recent Chinese leaders have not. What does that mean for Taiwan?
In designating the IRGC—Iran’s powerful elite military force—a terrorist organization, the EU chose not to debate U.S. force projection it cannot shape.
Instead, Europe is acting where it does have leverage: law and finance.
Instead, Europe is acting where it does have leverage: law and finance.
Europe’s IRGC Sanctions Show It’s Learning to Fight a Gray-Zone War
Europe is countering gray-zone competition with legal clarity about covert networks that prop up autocracy and enable military aggression.
www.worldpoliticsreview.com
February 3, 2026 at 9:00 PM
In designating the IRGC—Iran’s powerful elite military force—a terrorist organization, the EU chose not to debate U.S. force projection it cannot shape.
Instead, Europe is acting where it does have leverage: law and finance.
Instead, Europe is acting where it does have leverage: law and finance.
Without industrial cooperation with Japan and South Korea, U.S. naval expansion in the Indo-Pacific will remain a pipe dream.
America Can’t Rebuild Its Sea Power Without Asia’s Shipyards
Without industrial cooperation with Japan and South Korea, U.S. naval expansion in the Indo-Pacific will remain a pipe dream.
www.worldpoliticsreview.com
February 3, 2026 at 8:01 PM
Without industrial cooperation with Japan and South Korea, U.S. naval expansion in the Indo-Pacific will remain a pipe dream.
Just because Cuba has no remaining allies doesn’t mean oil sanctions will cause the government to collapse. But it may be willing to negotiate.
Will Trump’s Pressure Campaign Bring Cuba to the Table?
Just because Cuba has no remaining allies doesn’t mean oil sanctions will cause the government to collapse. But it may negotiate.
www.worldpoliticsreview.com
February 3, 2026 at 7:01 PM
Just because Cuba has no remaining allies doesn’t mean oil sanctions will cause the government to collapse. But it may be willing to negotiate.
Turmoil at the senior echelons of China’s military will make U.S.-China communication even more difficult and increase the risk of miscalculation, Mary Gallagher writes.
Xi’s Military Purge Makes War Over Taiwan More Likely
Turmoil at the senior echelons of China’s military make U.S.-China communication even more difficult and increase the risk of miscalculation.
www.worldpoliticsreview.com
February 3, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Turmoil at the senior echelons of China’s military will make U.S.-China communication even more difficult and increase the risk of miscalculation, Mary Gallagher writes.
In designating the IRGC—Iran’s powerful elite military force—a terrorist organization, the EU showed that it recognizes what is necessary to counter gray-zone competition, Candace Rondeaux writes.
Europe’s IRGC Sanctions Show It’s Learning to Fight a Gray-Zone War
Europe is countering gray-zone competition with legal clarity about covert networks that prop up autocracy and enable military aggression.
www.worldpoliticsreview.com
February 3, 2026 at 4:00 PM
In designating the IRGC—Iran’s powerful elite military force—a terrorist organization, the EU showed that it recognizes what is necessary to counter gray-zone competition, Candace Rondeaux writes.
Reposted by World Politics Review
🚨After being a World Politics Review contributor for several years, last week marked my debut as a monthly columnist!
Check out my first column below👇🏾
Check out my first column below👇🏾
“With each individual state competing for the Trump administration’s attention and favor, Africa’s collective leverage is fragmenting precisely when it matters most,” @lesleyannewarner.bsky.social writes.
Africa Needs a Collective Response to Trump’s ‘Transactional Dominance’
By competing individually for Trump’s favor, African states are sacrificing their collective leverage precisely when it matters most.
www.worldpoliticsreview.com
February 2, 2026 at 6:09 PM
🚨After being a World Politics Review contributor for several years, last week marked my debut as a monthly columnist!
Check out my first column below👇🏾
Check out my first column below👇🏾