Tabla de contenidos para Fall 2025 en Foreign Policy

In June, U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that U.S. and Israeli military operations had effectively closed the Iran nuclear file: “The only thing we’d be asking for [in future talks with Iran] is what we were asking for before, about ‘we want no nuclear’—but we destroyed the nuclear.” Yet even if the president’s claims that Iran’s uranium enrichment facilities have been “completely and totally obliterated” prove to be correct (and this is far from guaranteed), the conflict has ushered in a period of significant nuclear uncertainty, which threatens to fester if not swiftly addressed. Iran’s nuclear program has evidently been damaged, although it is unclear just how badly. Other developments are less reassuring. Iran appears to have retained custody over its stockpiles of highly enriched uranium, likely enough to fuel…

On Aug. 5, 2024, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, facing massive protests against her government, fled the capital of Dhaka for India, where she remains in exile. She faces serious charges in Bangladesh, including crimes against humanity, corruption, and contempt of court. The country’s interim government has sought her extradition; India, which considered Hasina an ally, has not responded to Bangladesh’s request. Students and activists marched in the streets throughout the summer of 2024—initially opposing the reinstatement of quotas for government jobs for the descendants of Bangladeshi freedom fighters, which were effectively state patronage for children of supporters of Hasina’s party, the Awami League. In a country with high youth unemployment, students resented that. But Hasina failed to read the mood of the nation. She ridiculed the protesters, calling them…

The first week of March featured a moment of dark political comedy worthy of Veep creator Armando Iannucci. In a scene that felt scripted for satire, the United States became the sole nation in the U.N. General Assembly to vote against the establishment of both an International Day of Hope and an International Day of Peaceful Coexistence. More astonishing still was the formal letter read out by Washington to explain its position on the latter resolution. In the letter, the U.S. government categorically rejected the entirety of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, or SDGs. This wasn’t simply a withdrawal, as from the climate commitments of the Paris Agreement; it was an unambiguous denunciation of the collective ambition to improve the material condition of humanity. American voters, the letter claimed,…

It has been 140 years since imperialist powers gathered in Berlin for the scramble for Africa. Today, the power dynamics between the continent’s 54 diverse nations and the rest of the world remain deeply imbalanced. Partnerships are often dominated by external actors and driven by their interests—not Africa’s. But the dismantling of old models of development and cuts to traditional aid are a stark wake-up call for Africans to seize the reins of their own development, set their own priorities, speak with a united voice, and define the terms of partnership for shared growth. This requires that Africans move with decisive courage beyond donor-defined agendas, rebalance the table, and reclaim control over their social, economic, and strategic choices. There’s no time to waste. The race for critical minerals today is…

“There’s no denying that the career landscape has changed.and we're adapting by assisting our students in finding work both domestically and internationally.”—FREDERICK MAYER, Dean, Josef Korbel School of Global and Public Affairs, University of Denver The institution formerly known as the University of Denver’s Josef Korbel School of International Studies has a proud new name: the Josef Korbel School of Global and Public Affairs. "This change reflects the culmination of the school’s long evolution from its research roots into a professional school," says Frederick "Fritz" Mayer, the school’s dean, "one that empowers future leaders to address the world’s mostpressing issues in both global and domestic affairs." The new name also reflects the school’s pivot to meet this moment in history. “So much that we thought was settled is now unsettled,"…

“Rice’s Master of Global Affairs is designed to equip students with soughtafter skills and experiences that translate across numerous sectors and industries, even in times of global transitions.”—ABBEY GODLEY, Assistant Dean for Student Programs, School of Social Sciences, Rice University Experiential learning is a necessary component of a graduate education, but Rice University’s Master of Global Affairs (MGA) distinguishes itself through a deeply immersive approach that enables students to actively engage with global systems. Notably, its International Master class and Diplomatic Immersion, Policy Learning, and Observation (D.I.P.L.O.) programs give students direct exposure to real-world global challenges and diplomatic practices, helping them cultivate skills in cross-cultural communication, problem-solving, and global leadership. This spring, the International Masterclass took second-year MGA students to Paris to apply classroom knowledge to real-world contexts. There, they…

“What distinguishes us is the close interaction between faculty and students and among students themselves, along with personalized guidance and practical, real-world application.”—GISELLE DATZ, Chair of the Government and International Affairs Program, School of Public and International Affairs, Virginia Tech With campuses in both Blacksburg and Arlington, Virginia - right in the heart of the Washington, DC, metro area - the School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA) at Virginia Tech stands out for its small class sizes, personalized mentorship, and dynamic student body. Giselle Datz, chair of the Government and International Affairs program, says, "From day one, students can count on the mentorship ofa dedicated faculty member who will serve as their academic adviser throughout the process - guiding them through individual trajectories shaped by their research interests all…

Sometime in 2014, Indian writer V. Gangadhar was at the crowded Kuwait Airways counter at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, annoyed that his flight to Mumbai had been canceled. Tempers were short. Gangadhar was tired and diabetic. His wife was anxious. He needed to eat, but the cafe was some distance away. Suddenly, a woman turned up and offered him masala puri, chutneys, and biscuits. She was Gujarati. “I heard you talking,” she said. “We have diabetics in our family,” and smiled. Gangadhar later wrote: “I was not surprised at her kindness to a stranger—during my long years in Gujarat I have experienced this sort of warm consideration for others.” He recalled Gujarati kitchens preparing food for the drought-affected, even feeding starving cattle. You don’t have to look…

Given the tumultuous events of the past several years, it is tempting to herald the emergence of a “new Middle East.” But how many times have we heard that? The Six-Day War was thought by some to be a critical turning point—surely Israel’s Arab opponents would make peace now?—and it didn’t happen. Ditto the Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty, the first Gulf War, the Oslo Accords, the U.S. invasion of Iraq, and the Arab Spring. Yet events such as the 9/11 attacks, the Syrian civil war, the Oct. 7, 2023, assault by Hamas, the ongoing genocide in Gaza, the recurring destruction of Lebanon, the Houthis’ attacks on Red Sea shipping, and the recent airstrikes on Iran keep happening. We have seen extraordinary developments over the past decade—and especially since Oct. 7—but the…

For the French political elite, this is a moment of scarcely concealed glee. The Trump administration’s deep hostility toward Europe—including the imposition of steep tariffs, verbal attacks on European values, open support for far-right parties, and threats to invade Greenland—vindicates the vision of a strategically autonomous continent held by generations of French leaders. It was French President Charles de Gaulle, after all, who repeatedly expressed his belief in the 1960s that it was France’s mission to liberate Western Europe from its role as a de facto U.S. protectorate after World War II. For President Emmanuel Macron, “this concept of sovereignty, which just seven years ago may have seemed very French, has gradually become European.” French policymakers see it as the realization of a long-held dream, one of a European Union…

United Nations summits typically unfold with a feverish intensity. Official delegates battle over every verb, dollar figure, and timeline in the outcome document. But there was little drama of multilateralism at the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) this July in Seville, Spain. After the United States withdrew in June, delegates agreed on the final draft—the Seville Commitment—two weeks ahead of the actual meeting. Still, the world gathered in Seville, in sweltering temperatures topping 100 degrees Fahrenheit, a not-too-subtle omen of the climate hell we were there to ostensibly avert. Around 6,000 corporate lobbyists (nearly half the attendees) swarmed plenary halls, peddling private capital for “investible development” while delegates from the global south pleaded for debt relief and climate finance. A decade after its launch at the FFD…

A mid so many other United Nations events this September, headlined by the procession of national leaders addressing the General Assembly, it would be easy to miss the celebration of the U.N. Day for South-South Cooperation on Sept. 12. Slotted inconveniently late on a Friday afternoon—well before most world leaders arrive the following week—the event will mark the 47th anniversary of the adoption of the Buenos Aires Plan of Action for Promoting and Implementing Technical Cooperation Among Developing Countries (mercifully shortened to BAPA). The U.N. celebration is just one example of the growing calls for a renewal of south-south cooperation, the tradition of developing countries relying less on the industrialized world than themselves for their path to material progress. But are these renewed calls up to the task of charting…

Interdisciplinary Curriculum Personalized Career Guidance Global Field Experiences DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS Emma Braithwaite emma.braithwaite@foreignpolicy.com The copy in this report was prepared by independent writers in connection with the business department of Foreign Policy, and did not involve the editorial staff of this magazine. EDITOR Tara Shubbuck WRITERS Christa Avampato Veronica Gorodetskaya Karen Jensen Seamus Roddy Rich Shea Tara Shubbuck COPY EDITOR Rachel McVearry  DESIGNER Tara Shubbuck As the global landscape shifts and the walls between disciplines and sectors blur, international affairs professionals are confronting a new reality: the need to develop professional adaptability to future-proof their career. This crucial ability to integrate diverse knowledge and skills allows one to pivot between sectors and analyze complex issues from fundamentally different perspectives, whether it’s viewing a public health crisis through an…

“The combination of academic collaboration, clubs, and alumni engagement helps students understand the full range of global career opportunities and gives them the flexibility to pivot when needed.”—MICHAEL MCKENZIE, Assistant Dean for Global Careers, School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University Students at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) learn early on to expect change throughout their career - and to adapt strategically and confidently across sectors and roles. Amid ongoing shifts and evolving job markets, Michael McKenzie, assistant dean for global careers, offers a steady outlook. “Things change and we have to adjust," he says. "You can't control what happens, but you can control your response. The ability to reflect on your skills and translate them, that’s key.” Adaptability is intentionally cultivated at SAIS through…

“With major changes in alliance architectures, global alignments, and trade, our work is more important than ever. Understanding these shifts requires the skills and insight our program provides.”—MITCHELL SMITH, Director, School of International Affairs, Penn State University Penn State’s School of lnternational Affairs (SIA) has long emphasized core skills like negotiation, evidence-based analysis, and effective communication to prepare students for impactful careers across sectors. Now, in response to global shifts, the school is reinforcing these competencies while expanding pathways into emerging fields. “We’re reviewing our curriculum, taking a closer look at the skills we instill and asking, how can we do this even more effectively,” explains the school’s director, Mitchell Smith. “One area that deserves more attention right now is the global economy.” Supporting the school’s effort to refine its…

“We need and want our students to leave us with strengths in pivoting and adapting. It’s not just that you'll adapt to change-you'll be part of architecting it.”—SHANNON HADER, Dean, School of International Service, American University The most valuable skill for navigating an unpredictable global landscape is not specialization, but what Shannon Hader, dean of American University’s School of lnternational Service (SIS), calls “"agility of thought.” At SIS, this is fostered by a pioneering approach to the structure of its departments and curriculum, which are both interdisciplinary and intersectional. This combination allows students to develop expertise in a topic while understanding its interplay with different disciplines. “SIS has always put a premium on this ability to pivot and move between and across sectors,” explains Hader. “We teach on issues and…

Over the decades, Harvard University has become so prominent in American culture that it is easy to mistake it for the prototypical modern university. Founded in 1636, Harvard is older than the United States itself. Besides this, there are few, if any, universities in the world that have a lower acceptance rate or more distinguished faculty. And Harvard’s $53 billion endowment is larger than the GDP of nearly 100 countries. Despite the institution’s formidable reputation, though, and for all of U.S. President Donald Trump’s fixation on bringing it to heel, the Harvard that the world thinks it knows is a surprisingly recent creation. Even well into the 19th century, Harvard was a place of stultifying, rote-like instruction. As late as the mid-20th century, acceptance rates were higher than 50 percent.…

1. Around what time on June 21 did U.S. President Donald Trump announce on social media that U.S. bombers had struck Iranian nuclear facilities? a. 6:30 p.m. EDT b. 7:50 p.m. EDT c. 9:25 p.m. EDT d. 10:40 p.m. EDT 2. Brazil’s Congress on June 25 nullified a presidential decree for the first time since what year? a. 1926 b. 1944 c. 1980 d. 1992 3. With which two countries did Poland reinstate border controls in early July? a. Slovakia and the Czech Republic b. Ukraine and Belarus c. Germany and Lithuania d. Slovakia and Belarus 4. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appointed a new prime minister on July 17. Whom did he choose for the position? a. Economics Minister Yulia Svyrydenko b. Defense Minister Rustem Umerov c. Foreign Minister Andrii…

As more African countries agree to accept third-country migrants deported by the United States, Nigeria is charting a sharply different course. Africa’s most populous nation has rejected Washington’s immigration policy, with Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar bluntly stating in early July that the country had “enough problems” of its own and would not cave to U.S. pressure to take in deportees with no ties to Nigeria. Nigeria’s stance is not just about immigration. It is a broader rejection of the transactional logic that has long shaped U.S.-Africa relations. Nigeria isn’t just defending its borders—it is defending its sovereignty. This quiet but consequential standoff comes as U.S. President Donald Trump revives his controversial policy of third-country deportations, which he introduced on a smaller scale in Latin America during his first term.…

Recent shifts in U.S. President Donald Trump’s foreign and national security policy herald a more vigorous use of Washington’s military power and deeper engagement in the world. U.S. missile attacks on Yemen’s Houthis, the bombing of Iran’s nuclear production facilities, successful U.S. pressure on European NATO allies to prepare for the Russian military threat, the decision to provide Kyiv with additional weapons, and recent summitry aiming to end Russia’s war against Ukraine—all this and more signal Trump’s increasing willingness to shape the global arena. This is a far cry from the inwardlooking tone of Trump’s presidential campaign, during which foreign affairs took a back seat to domestic issues such as inflation and immigration. Indeed, Trump’s focus before taking office was on criticizing what he characterized as a trigger-happy, out-of-touch foreignpolicy…

Many a tear has been shed lately for the Admiral Kuznetsov, Russia’s only aircraft carrier. After a long and unlucky life, the ship endured a retrofit so ill-fated that it’s now about to be scrapped. But don’t feel too smug about Russia’s soon-to-be carrier-less navy because it’s expanding its already fearsome submarine fleet instead. In recent times, even news outlets that rarely report on military equipment have run big headlines about the Admiral Kuznetsov, a Soviet-built ship that has been Russia’s only aircraft carrier for 40 years. More than 1,000 feet long and with a range of 9,800 miles, the ship was a serviceable design from the late 1980s but always behind the times compared with its U.S. counterparts. But the Admiral Kuznetsov has had so many mishaps that people…

In just nine months, the Trump administration has laid waste to the development landscape, dismantling the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and slashing nearly the entire U.S. foreign aid budget. This has posed a problem for nongovernmental organizations working on development the world over, derailing decades of work to increase access to health, food, education, and better governance. The impact is disproportionately felt across the global south, where these cuts will inevitably erode institutional knowledge and disrupt development trajectories. But while the U.S. government’s actions have posed the biggest and most unexpected challenge for these groups, the reality is that the heyday of NGO influence was already long over. NGO revenue streams have dried up—and not just from the United States. France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United…

Since the Trump administration began to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), many commentators have seen an opportunity for China. They argue that Beijing will “fill the void̵ left by Washington and is “cheering” the destruction of the agency. Fear of China supplanting U.S. foreign aid has been a growing concern among U.S. analysts for years, and China has already replaced U.S. projects in a few countries the Trump administration began to dismantle the U.S. Agncy for International Development (USAID), many commentators have seen an opportunity for China. They argue that Beijing will “fill the void” left by Washington and is “cheering” th destruction of the agency. Fear of China supplanting U.S. foreign aid has been a growing concer among U.S. analysts for years, and China has already…

“We’re uniting people from diverse backgrounds who are committed to serving the world to generate new ideas that will help us find better ways of addressing global problems.”—JOEL HELLMAN, Dean, School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University As the first school of international affairs established in the United States, Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service (SFS) is an important player in helping define the study and practice ofinternational affairs. "We feel a particular responsibility to be thinking about tomorrow’s understanding of international affairs because we helped define the last century," says Joel Hellman, dean ofSFS. The school’s location in Washington, DC, is uniquely positioned to bring together graduate students, researchers, and an unparalleled alumni network to address current challenges and embrace future opportunities to serve the world. In addition, SFS has…

“If there’s a motto we live by at The Fletcher School, it’s that students leave here knowing how to navigate complexity.”—DANIEL DREZNER, Distinguished Professor of International Politics and Academic Dean, The Fletcher School, Tufts University Distinguished Professor of lnternational Politics and Academic Dean Daniel Drezner encapsulates the design of The Fletcher School at Tufts University’s graduate programs with a single motto: to enable graduates to navigate complexity. This ability, he explains, stems from a three-pronged approach, where experiential learning, academic research, and ongoing professional development equip students to be resilient and valuable in a volatile market. “When you go to Fletcher, you're receiving help and development while you're in the program and after you leave,” Drezner says. “We combine different academic and practical elements so that students have skills for…

“We designed the program to make sure that students have ample publication opportunities.“—CRAIG ALBERT, Graduate Director of the MA in Intelligence and Security Studies and PhD in Intelligence, Defense, and Cybersecurity Policy, Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, Augusta University Augusta University’s new PhD in Intelligence, Defense, and Cybersecurity Policy program is turning the traditional doctoral experience on its head. Not only is it the first of its kind, catering to working professionals across the globe with fully remote, synchronous online classes, but it’s structured to give students ample guidance to help them navigate the complex path to publication. “We’re uniquely specialized as a program where we really take that seriously,” says Craig Albert, graduate director of the PhD program and the MA in Intelligence and Security Studies.…

“At the Elliott School, we are preparing students to lead with creativity, cultural intelligence, and practical expertise in an increasingly interconnected and uncertain world.”—RENATA AVELAR GIANNINI, Assistant Dean of Executive Education and Special Initiatives and Associate Professor of the Practice of International Affairs, Elliott School of International Affairs, The George Washington University In today’s rapidly changing world, international affairs professionals must be equipped to navigate uncertainty and complexity like never before. The graduate programs at the George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs answer this call with an interdisciplinary education that emphasizes experiential learning throughout its curriculum. The Elliott School’s Global Capstone Program and Short-Term Abroad Programs (STAP), for example, provide an opportunity to apply classroom learningto real-world situations. In the 2024-25 academic year, the 130 STAP students traveled…

In the early 1990s, Apple was determined to show it could continue to build computers in the United States as part of its strategy of keeping tight control over every aspect of design and production. Macintosh computers rolled off the line at one Apple factory “like a Holiday Inn toaster turns out toasted bagels,” according to Brent Schlender and Rick Tetzeli’s biography of Steve Jobs. But facing bankruptcy in 1996, the company sold its Mac factory in Colorado to a U.S. contract manufacturer and started down a long road of outsourcing manufacturing, first in the United States and later in Asia. It now builds most everything it sells in China. Outsourcing has been incredibly lucrative for Apple, helping to make it one of the three-most valuable companies in the world,…