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Sanctions are a flawed foreign policy tool. Is there one that's not?

Jul 29, 2024
The U.S. increasingly uses economic curbs against bad actors, reports The Washington Post's Jeff Stein. But some consequences are unintended.
President Biden met with leaders of industrialized economies at the G7 Summit in June. Among the topics was responding to Russia's assault on Ukraine.
Antonio Masiello/Getty Images

President Trump's "bold new diplomacy" and global relationships

Feb 6, 2019
A two-day summit with North Korea's Kim Jong Un was announced at this year's State of the Union address.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, left, shakes hands with U.S. President Donald Trump during their historic summit at the Capella Singapore hotel on Sentosa Island on Tuesday.
Handout/Getty Images

Trump hits the pause button on raising tariffs on Chinese goods

Dec 3, 2018
The U.S. has delayed a tariff hike for 90 days while it negotiates with China.
At a news stand in Beijing, a newspaper features a story about the meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
GREG BAKER/AFP/Getty Images

What does the U.S get back for its foreign aid spending?

Jan 3, 2018
Over the past few days, President Donald Trump has tweeted quite a bit about foreign aid. On New Year’s Day, he complained about the amount of foreign aid we send to Pakistan and criticized its government for not doing more to stop terrorism. Yesterday, he targeted aid to Palestinians, questioning whether payments should continue. What […]

The U.S. faces a complicated landscape on the Korean peninsula

Apr 17, 2017
Things are heating up on the Korean peninsula, you may have heard. A senior official told the BBC that North Korea will test missiles weekly. South Korea has doubled down on a missile defense system that China finds threatening. U.S. Vice President Mike Pence has said all options are on the table to contain North […]

The U.S. spends a lot less on foreign aid than you think

Mar 17, 2017
Besides goodwill, there are other advantages to giving.
A general view shows a Sudanes worker sitting on the USA flagged bulk carrier.
ASHRAF SHAZLY/AFP/Getty Images

How will Merkel approach her meeting with Trump?

Mar 17, 2017
The German chancellor will likely have a lot weighing on her mind as she meets POTUS for the first time.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel speaks during a joint press conference in the White House.
SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images

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Amid tension, Merkel comes to Washington

Mar 13, 2017
This week, German Chancellor Angela Merkel is making her first visit to the White House since President Donald Trump took office. It comes after both world leaders leveled heavy criticisms against each other on many things, including policies on trade and immigration. What’s at stake? Click the audio player above to hear the full story.

What’s the current status of U.S. sanctions on Russia?

Dec 16, 2016
Yesterday, President Obama vowed to punish Russia for its recent cyber attacks.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Barack Obama shake hands for the cameras before the start of a bilateral meeting at the United Nations headquarters September 28, 2015 in New York City.  
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Five of your immigration questions, answered

Oct 26, 2016
We got a lot of questions while reporting on migrant labor from a hops field in Washington.
A naturalization ceremony in Washington.
Tommy Andres/Marketplace