World Politics Review
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China assumed that by building deep dependencies in the Caribbean, it could carve out a sphere of influence robust enough to challenge U.S. primacy.
The U.S. attack on Venezuela punctured that assumption, with enormous regional consequences.
The U.S. attack on Venezuela punctured that assumption, with enormous regional consequences.
Maduro’s Ouster Tests China’s Caribbean Foothold
The U.S. attack on Venezuela on Jan. 3 punctured the narrative that Beijing could carve out its own sphere of influence in the region.
www.worldpoliticsreview.com
February 9, 2026 at 11:00 PM
China assumed that by building deep dependencies in the Caribbean, it could carve out a sphere of influence robust enough to challenge U.S. primacy.
The U.S. attack on Venezuela punctured that assumption, with enormous regional consequences.
The U.S. attack on Venezuela punctured that assumption, with enormous regional consequences.
Throughout 2025, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum was called a “Trump whisperer” for her ability to soothe tensions with the United States.
Yet just a month into 2026, this task is already proving to be more challenging than in 2025.
Yet just a month into 2026, this task is already proving to be more challenging than in 2025.
For Mexico’s Sheinbaum, It’s Getting Harder to Be a ‘Trump Whisperer’
Just a month into 2026, managing the U.S.-Mexico relationship is proving to be even more challenging than in 2025.
www.worldpoliticsreview.com
February 9, 2026 at 9:00 PM
Throughout 2025, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum was called a “Trump whisperer” for her ability to soothe tensions with the United States.
Yet just a month into 2026, this task is already proving to be more challenging than in 2025.
Yet just a month into 2026, this task is already proving to be more challenging than in 2025.
The U.S. attack on Venezuela on Jan. 3 punctured the narrative that Beijing could carve out its own sphere of influence in the Caribbean, Jared Ward writes.
Maduro’s Ouster Tests China’s Caribbean Foothold
The U.S. attack on Venezuela on Jan. 3 punctured the narrative that Beijing could carve out its own sphere of influence in the region.
www.worldpoliticsreview.com
February 9, 2026 at 7:00 PM
The U.S. attack on Venezuela on Jan. 3 punctured the narrative that Beijing could carve out its own sphere of influence in the Caribbean, Jared Ward writes.
Just a month into 2026, managing the U.S.-Mexico relationship is proving to be even more challenging than in 2025, James Bosworth (@bloggingsbyboz.bsky.social) writes.
For Mexico’s Sheinbaum, It’s Getting Harder to Be a ‘Trump Whisperer’
Just a month into 2026, managing the U.S.-Mexico relationship is proving to be even more challenging than in 2025.
www.worldpoliticsreview.com
February 9, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Just a month into 2026, managing the U.S.-Mexico relationship is proving to be even more challenging than in 2025, James Bosworth (@bloggingsbyboz.bsky.social) writes.
Characterizations of Trump’s foreign policy as realist raise two questions: 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 8, 2026 at 8:43 PM
Characterizations of Trump’s foreign policy as realist raise two questions: What exactly is Realism? And does Trump’s foreign policy actually resemble it?
Around the world, wealthy donor states have been slashing their bilateral aid budgets. And while private sector engagement may be part of the solution to filling the gap left by the cuts, it is far from a silver bullet.
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 8, 2026 at 4:16 PM
Around the world, wealthy donor states have been slashing their bilateral aid budgets. And while private sector engagement may be part of the solution to filling the gap left by the cuts, it is far from a silver bullet.
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?