Election 2024
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Why She Lost
Despite a platform focused on winning back the working class, Kamala Harris and her party had lost too many of them already.
What Trump’s Win Means for U.S. Foreign Policy
He is poised to bring back hallmarks of his first term, from a China trade war to hostility toward multilateralism.
Trump Wants to Make America Pay Again
There are so many questions about Trump’s tariff plans that not even Shakespeare could count the ways.
foreign-policy issues in the election
The Kamala Harris Doctrine
Everything we know about the Democratic nominee’s foreign-policy views.
Trump’s Foreign-Policy Influencers
Meet the 11 men whose worldviews are shaping the 2024 Republican ticket.
From the Magazine
Letters to the Next President
No matter who wins the White House, these nine thinkers from around the world would like a word.
Latest Stories
How Democrats Can Get the Upper Hand With Minority Power
Two examples from recent history show what a united party can achieve.
Does the Madman Theory Actually Work?
Trump likes to think his unpredictability is an asset.
America Is Locked in a New Class War
Money and education no longer explain voting patterns.
How Foreign Policy Shaped the 2024 U.S. Election
What does Trump’s victory show about how Americans view their place in the world?
Fareed Zakaria Looks Back at 2024
FP Live’s annual tradition of recounting the biggest highlights and trends of the year.
The Original Joe Rogan
Bob Grant and other talk radio hosts got out the Republican message through the ‘80s and ‘90s.
The Last Time Senators Rejected a Cabinet Nomination
It’s only happened nine times in American history.
What Can Trump Do With United Government?
These months offer presidents a path to historic legislative achievement—but success is not guaranteed.
What Hunter’s Pardon Says About Biden and Trump
Using a historically controversial power, the U.S. president is sending a message to the nation.
President Biden’s Last Stand
There is precedent for a lame-duck president to assert authority in bold fashion.
U.S. Election Polls Can’t Tell Us Much About Race
Treating Black and Latino voters as monolithic groups obscures more than it clarifies.
Trump’s Victory Has Opened the Disinformation Floodgates
Here’s how to stem the tide.
Trump’s Executive Picks Are Radical, but Not Unprecedented
The tradition of appointing cabinet leaders who hate their jobs dates back to Ronald Reagan.
Why Emerging Powers Are Welcoming Trump’s Victory
Traditional powers are worried about Trump 2.0, but much of the world has had the opposite reaction.
Trump 2.0 Could Give China a Headache in Southeast Asia
The region’s diverse governments may get along better with the new administration.
The Economic Impact of Trump’s Planned Tariffs and Deportations
The details are still murky, but the implications could be severe.
Why the Economy Can’t Explain Trump’s Win
The U.S. presidential election result has more to do with nostalgia than inflation.
MAGA-World Is Divided Over Trump’s Foreign-Policy Picks
Hawks Rubio and Waltz are being eyed with concern amid growing calls for U.S. military restraint.
Beijing Has Already Prepared for Trump’s Return
China is readying for known challenges and unknown risks.
Why Michigan’s Arab Americans Voted for Trump
Resentment of Biden-Harris administration’s pro-Israel policies drove a massive swing away from the Democrats in Dearborn and beyond.
Why Trump Is Good News for Egypt
Sisi is poised to once again be the president’s favorite dictator.
Why Democrats Should Proceed to the Center With Caution
The party must reimagine its strategy but heed historical lessons about how.
Britain’s Labour Will Struggle With Trump in White House
Past criticisms are coming back to haunt U.K. leaders.
6 Charts That Explain the 2024 U.S. Election
From the perpetual campaign cycle to turnout, we examined how the Nov. 5 vote compared with those in other countries this year.
What the Founding Fathers Would Say About Trump’s Win
“I told you so.”
How Latin America Sees Trump’s Win
The Republican’s victory has already reverberated in Mexico, Brazil, and more.
How Economies Around the World Will Respond to Trump 2.0
The incoming U.S. president will be more extreme and less restrained.
What Trump’s Win Will Mean for NATO, Ukraine, Israel, and Iran
Foreign policy might have mattered in the election after all—but mainly in Michigan.
Ukraine Now Faces a Nuclear Decision
Under a new Trump administration, Ukraine’s government can't avoid considering a nuclear weapon.
America Has Decided
Now, the world is readying itself for a second Donald Trump term.
Trump Wants to Make America Pay Again
There are so many questions about Trump’s tariff plans that not even Shakespeare could count the ways.
Before Trump Returns, Congress Should Buy Weapons for Ukraine
An arms procurement fund would secure Ukraine’s ability to fight while helping American workers.
As a Lame Duck, Biden Could Become Tougher With Israel
Netanyahu’s sacked defense chief had helped smooth tensions with Washington.
What to Expect From Trump 2.0 on Foreign Policy
An FP columnist argues you shouldn’t worry about Trump’s return to the White House.
What Trump’s Win Means for U.S. Foreign Policy
He is poised to bring back hallmarks of his first term, from a China trade war to hostility toward multilateralism.
Why She Lost
Despite a platform focused on winning back the working class, Kamala Harris and her party had lost too many of them already.
Harris, Trump Make Last-Ditch Effort to Sway Undecided Voters
Most voting stations have reported no major issues, but pro-Trump groups are preparing to contest the results.
How Technology Ruined Democracy
Two new books issue fresh warnings about Silicon Valley ahead of the U.S. election.
U.S. Republicans Are Embracing Mussolini’s Motherhood Agenda
The Italian fascists’ pro-natalist policies are being revived today by figures from J.D. Vance to Viktor Orban and Vladimir Putin.
How Slandering Puerto Ricans Harms the GOP
A groundswell of anger at Republicans could drive broader Latino support for Harris in swing states.
How Latin American Leaders Might Navigate Trump
From Claudia Sheinbaum in Mexico to Lula in Brazil.
The ‘Battle of the Sexes’ Election
Trump and Harris have championed opposing visions of womanhood and masculinity.
Would Either Candidate Fundamentally Change the U.S. Economy?
Where Harris and Trump intersect and where they diverge.
What to Watch When You’re Done Watching Polls
From Chile to Iran to New York’s most mortifying mayoral race, here are nine movies about elections to stream now.
Do U.S. Voters Even Care About Foreign Policy?
The parties seem to be realigning on questions of war and peace, but it’s not clear how consequential the results will be for anxious allies in Europe and Asia.
Why Electoral Violence Starts—and How It Can End
As Americans prepare to vote in a tense presidential contest, these countries show a way out of political polarization.
What the U.S. Election Means for Ukraine and the Middle East
The result will have profound consequences for the major crises roiling the world
Netanyahu Favors Trump, but He Could Come to Regret It
A second Trump administration might have less sympathy for Israel.
IR Experts See Glaring Differences Between Harris and Trump
Scholars don’t trust the Republican nominee when it comes to managing U.S. foreign policy.
U.S. Officials: Foreign Election Interference Could Get Worse After Nov. 5
A new onslaught from abroad is expected as the votes are counted and certified.
Markets Are Underpricing the Possibility of a U.S.-China Economic War
A Trump victory could cause relations to rapidly spiral downward.
What Would Elon Musk’s Tesla Gain—and Lose—From a Trump Presidency?
Higher tariffs and fewer federal incentives could slow market growth for the electric-vehicle manufacturer.
Harris, Trump Paint Victory as Vital to Protect U.S. Democracy
Both candidates used their last major campaign speeches to argue that their opponent threatens democratic governance.
Another ‘Stop the Steal’ Could Weaken America Abroad
Losing the election won’t stop Donald Trump from undercutting U.S. foreign policy.
So, Is Trump Really a Fascist?
Yes, but the more important question is whether that even matters to the electorate.
The Enduring Mystery of Trump’s Relationship With Russia
After years of government investigations, we still don’t know if the former president is actually in Putin’s pocket.
What’s at Stake for Africa in the U.S. Elections?
The next administration’s policies could have a major impact across the continent.
The 50-Year-Old Book That Explains Everything About U.S. Politics—Including This Election
Robert Caro’s “The Power Broker” poses the fundamental question: Who can voters trust to hold power?
How America’s Fourth-Largest County Is Preparing for Election Interference
Maricopa County in Arizona has been a lightning rod for election deniers since 2020. Officials there say they’re prepared this time around.
A Contested U.S. Election Would Mean Global Instability
The rest of the world isn’t ready for months of chaos in Washington.
Trump’s Backers Fling Open America’s Door to Money Launderers
The No. 1 country to stash illicit funds will become even more welcoming to criminals.
Can Chinese Americans Help Turn Georgia Blue Again?
Concerns about Beijing’s influence loom large in a state where Asian American voters mobilized in 2020.
U.S. Adversaries Could Stoke Post-Election Unrest, Intel Report Warns
Iran and Russia may seek to foment violence after the vote, according to a newly declassified analysis.
Stop Calling Trump an ‘Isolationist’
His foreign policy is more aptly described as pro-dictator.
Biden’s Most Special Relationship Was With Germany
Last week’s state visit to Berlin might be the last feel-good transatlantic moment for a while.
When Did Democrats Lose the Working Class?
Kamala Harris is the latest in a string of leaders struggling to win over the New Deal coalition.
Harris Needs Polish American Votes to Win
Democrats are trying to revive Reagan’s Cold War rhetoric to target Trump in states like Michigan and Pennsylvania—but they need to do more.
Biden Embarks on Farewell Tour to Germany
The U.S. president's final visit to Europe will focus on his legacy—and what comes next.
Kamala Harris Is Not a Realist. I’m Voting for Her Anyway.
The only realist choice in this year’s election is to reject Trump.
Will the U.S. Election Make a Difference to U.S. Foreign Policy?
Harris and Trump may sound similar when it comes to the Middle East, but their policies could diverge significantly on Ukraine.
When American Voters Ignored the Warning Signs
An administration called the “most deceitful in history” went on to win 49 states.
‘Made in America’ Is on the Ballot in Wisconsin
Two visions of trade and economic policy have played out in a key county in the swing state.
How Migration Became a U.S. Foreign-Policy Priority
The Biden administration quietly helped develop a regional strategy to tackle the issue. Can it survive the U.S. election?
Could Polish American Voters Swing the U.S. Election?
Kamala Harris hopes to turn Ukraine into a winning issue in the battleground states.
Are October Surprises Overblown?
The debate on whether an earth-shattering development in the presidential race can change a polarized electorate.
Top Foreign-Policy Takeaways From the Vice Presidential Debate
The two contenders clashed over Iran’s threat to Israel, tariffs on China, border security, and the health of U.S. democracy.
Why the Vice Presidential Debate Matters
Through the last century, the scope and powers of the second-in-command have steadily grown.
The Artificial General Intelligence Presidency Is Coming
Generative AI was developed largely without government assistance, but its next phase will require government involvement.
The Real Lesson of Springfield, Ohio
A revitalized Midwestern city shows that immigrants can be a solution to economic decline and malaise.
Europe Is Far From Trump-Proofed
A divided continent is still fatally dependent on Washington.
Why Senators Don’t Often Become President
California’s Kamala Harris is attempting to join a select cohort.
How U.S. Cyber Adversaries Are Trying to Undermine the Election
American companies and officials reveal a flurry of warnings and actions against Russia, China, and Iran.
How Weaponizing Food Helps Trump Win Votes
From the Irish to Italians and Chinese, food has long been used to define who is—or isn’t—a “real American.”
How Does the U.S.-China ‘Cold War’ End?
Republicans are divided on whether regime change in Beijing should be the ultimate goal.
Stop Politicizing the Military
The tenor of the first U.S. election campaign with post-9/11 veterans on the ticket has been disappointing.
Why Trump and Vance Are Scapegoating Haitians
The false accounts about eating pets in an Ohio town tap into a long history of racism and the obscuring of Haiti as a standard-bearer of freedom.
Why Don’t Younger Americans Vote?
Taylor Swift’s endorsement of the Harris-Walz ticket speaks to an age group that has often not opted into the electoral process.
Did Trump Win the Foreign-Policy Debate?
Harris gave a better performance, but when it comes to questions of deterrence and the war in Ukraine, the former president was arguably more convincing.
Top Foreign-Policy Moments From the Harris-Trump Debate
Ukraine, the Israel-Hamas war, and tariffs dominated the foreign-policy sections of the high-stakes showdown.
Why the World Should Stop Worrying About a Second Trump Term
The former president was less isolationist and more of a diplomatic success than most observers admit.
If Harris Believes in International Law, She Needs to Show It
Talking about a “rules-based order” won’t overcome Washington’s hypocrisy problem.
How Washington Learned to Stop Worrying and Embrace Protectionism
The Trump-Harris debate masked how Republicans and Democrats agree on tougher tariffs on China.
Harris Needs a Balkans Policy—Quickly
The region has been mishandled by the Biden administration—and could easily become a campaign vulnerability.
The Most Important Factor in Presidential Debates
A dramatic moment between Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford showed the camera really is king.
Strategic Autonomy Is Nothing To Fear
India's rise as a new pole of power does not endanger its indispensable relationship with the U.S.
Clean Energy Is Security
A policy path to address a warming climate on which both parties can agree.
Play by the Rules
No longer the sole hegemon, the United States faces global issues that require global cooperation.
Isolationism Doesn’t Protect
The denting of U.S. democracy is felt across Europe.
Politics Is TikTok’s Newest Dance Move
The controversial social media app is defining the 2024 election.
It’s Congress, Stupid
The world may currently be focused on the presidential race, but how power is distributed on Capitol Hill is just as important.
Does Harris Have a Foreign Policy?
The Democratic National Convention did not shed much light on what a Harris administration’s global outlook would be.
Inside the White House Effort to Prevent a Coup in Guatemala
Kamala Harris’s team helped deliver an overlooked foreign-policy win.
Trump 2.0 Would Face a New World
Dramatic global shifts since Donald Trump’s first term could lead to unexpected policies.
When Democrats Wrested the News Cycle from Republicans—and How They Can Do It Again
Lessons from Bill Clinton’s war room for a changed media landscape.
Why Food Prices Are Surging
Kamala Harris vows to fight price gouging, but is that the problem?
How Is Foreign Policy Driving the U.S. Vote?
A few wedge issues could help determine who ends up in the White House.
The Democrats’ Pro-Worker Agenda Can Go Global
Picking Tim Walz as her running mate signals that Kamala Harris is all-in on the post-neoliberal shift.
Why Everyone’s Suddenly Talking About Iranian Election Hacking
America’s Middle Eastern adversary is occupying an arena typically dominated by Russia and China.
DNC Offers Few Clues on Harris’s Foreign Policy
A botched rollout of the party platform shows how foreign policy is a sideshow in U.S. elections.
Preparing for a Less Arrogant America
A close reading of two books by authors who advise Kamala Harris reveals a vision for a humbler approach to foreign policy.
What Harris Can Take From Obama’s Very First Convention Speech
Twenty years later, the case for progressive patriotism rings true.
If Kamala Harris Was the Czar of Anything, It Would Be AI
While not widely known, the vice president’s experience on this issue is substantial.
The Civil Rights Movement and Kamala Harris’s Foreign Policy
Black Americans have always sought international connection in service of promoting freedom.
IR Experts Back Kamala Harris
A new poll reveals significant support for the presumptive Democratic nominee—and trust that she could handle an international crisis.
Tim Walz Has Always Been Consistent on China
Local newspapers reveal what the vice presidential candidate thought long before he came into the national spotlight.
What Harris Learned Investigating Russian Interference
On the Senate Intelligence Committee, Harris had a front-row seat to Moscow’s meddling.
Harris and Walz Can Remake U.S. Foreign Policy
The VP pick may help Harris reinvest in diplomacy—and abandon America’s reflex for military interventionism.
How Walz Completes the Harris Ticket
Vice president picks say volumes about the person selecting them.
Harris Picks Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as Running Mate
The choice could help Democrats in Midwestern battleground states.
Trump Shows His Age When He Talks About Race
Asking if Kamala Harris is Indian or Black recalls a time that younger Americans have never known.
The New Nativism’s Surprising Origin Story
Anti-immigrant politics as championed by Donald Trump have their roots in California.
U.S. Allies Brace for Trump’s Trade Threats
Countries in Europe and Asia are preparing for tariffs, but their options are limited.
Foreign Interference in U.S. Election Heats Up
Russia and Iran aim to sow discord in the 2024 presidential race, officials warn.
Why Do American Presidential Campaigns Have to Be So Long?
With “only” about three months to win, Kamala Harris might prove a shorter election period is healthier for the democracy.
The Trump-Vance Unilateralist Delusion
The Republican ticket has unified—around a fundamentally unrealistic foreign policy.
Now Trump Is the One With the Age Problem
The former president’s health and mental acuity haven’t received nearly enough scrutiny.
How a Harris Administration Would Steer the Economy
The vice president’s influences stretch from Howard University to Silicon Valley.
How Harris Found Her Foreign-Policy Footing
A good vice president has to be the ultimate staffer.
Biden’s Legacy Depends on What Happens Next
The U.S. president leaves behind an enviable list of accomplishments after one term. But Trump could destroy a lot of it.
Biden Is Passing the Torch
Democrats can make this a decisive moment in their own trajectory and that of U.S. democracy.
Biden Steps Aside, Endorses Harris, Upending Race for White House
The historic decision is sending shockwaves through the Democratic Party ahead of the November election.
The Irrelevance of J.D. Vance to U.S. Foreign Policy
Vice presidents can have plenty of responsibilities—but shaping strategy usually isn’t one of them.
Will an Assassination Attempt and VP Announcement Help Trump Win?
As more analysts predict a GOP victory, the prospect of a Trump-Vance administration has worried many U.S. allies.
GOP Platform Jolts Latin America
Trump has generally shunned global engagement. But he and J.D. Vance have a lot of plans for the region.
Trump’s VP Pick Goes America First on Foreign Policy
And the choice of J.D. Vance is causing panic among Ukrainians, Europeans, and traditional Republicans.
A Uniquely Perilous Moment in U.S. Politics
After the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, so-called “accelerationists” will look to spark a broader conflagration.
Trump Is Giving Taiwan the Ukraine Treatment
Trump’s transactional approach to Taiwan sets him apart from the China hawks advising him.
‘Our Last-Ditch Pitch’: Nervous U.S. Allies Put Boots on Ground at RNC
Europe’s diplomatic heavyweights are flocking to Milwaukee to court Trump’s party.
What America Can Learn From an Attempted Assassination in Brazil
Leaders must push back against the curtailment of political debate in the wake of tragedy.
Trump Shooting Inspires Republican Unity at Party Convention
The former U.S. president named Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance as his new running mate and celebrated a major legal win regarding a classified documents case.
Europe Fears Trump Shooting Could Deepen America’s Political Crisis
Officials expressed anxiety over the health of U.S. democracy after the assassination attempt.
Are Assassination Attempts on the Rise?
The attempt on Donald Trump’s life may be part of a broader global pattern.
America Is Stuck in a Century-Old Immigration Debate
Restricting immigration to appease domestic political grievances is likely to backfire—again.
This Is America, Too
The United States has many wonderful characteristics, but the attempt to kill Donald Trump is a reminder that violence has always been embedded in American culture.
Biden’s Age Is a Problem. Trump’s Agenda Is a Bigger One.
The media has a duty to examine the president’s fumbles—but not at the expense of the larger picture.
What Is the True Cost of a Diminished Biden?
The U.S. president has always been a gaffe machine. But no one understands foreign policy better.
Trump’s Plan to Weaken the Dollar Makes No Sense
The policy would directly counter the one thing he claims to be fighting against.
Biden’s Debate Performance Has Some U.S. Allies Worried
The U.S. president’s lackluster performance was a wake-up call about the prospects of a second Trump term.
The U.S. Has Its Own ‘Bad Emperor’ Dilemma
The Trump-Biden debate showed that it’s not just China that faces a threat from its own leadership system.
Is It Too Late to Replace a Presidential Candidate?
Not according to other democracies around the world.
Yes, Biden Flopped. But Let’s Not Overreact.
The United States is in a very bad place. Just not as bad as people think.
How Bad Will Political Violence in the U.S. Get?
Civil war is unlikely, but other alarming scenarios are quite possible.
Key Foreign-Policy Moments From the Trump-Biden Debate
The two candidates clashed over Russia’s war in Ukraine, the Israel-Hamas war, immigration, and America’s global image.
What to Expect in the Biden-Trump Presidential Debate
Border security, Middle East unrest, and support for Ukraine will likely dominate foreign-policy talking points.
The Man Who Would Help Trump Upend the Global Economy
As a potential U.S. Treasury secretary, Robert Lighthizer has more than trade policy to revolutionize.
Get Ready for Trump Trade Wars 2.0
Past is prologue, to the chagrin of experts, economists, and allies.
How the World Can Prepare for Trump 2.0
A look at the guardrails that experts say Washington and its allies should consider erecting ahead of time.
The Steady Hand
Jens Stoltenberg has led NATO through a decade of war, chaos, and Trump. What comes next?
Is This a Revolution? Or Are People Just Very Ticked Off?
In a new book, Fareed Zakaria explores how much the times are a-changin’. At risk, he says, is the entire global system.
Why Asia Should Sound the Trump Alarm
The calm in Asian capitals reflects a dangerous misjudgment.
The G-7 Must Prepare Now for Trump
This summer’s summit needs to be much more than just a 50th anniversary celebration.
There’s Nothing Between an Unstable President and the Nuclear Button
It’s past time to put legal guardrails in place to prevent catastrophe.
Are Both U.S. Parties Divided on Foreign Policy?
As Biden and Trump gear up for a rematch, rifts are emerging within both Democratic and Republican ranks.
What Biden’s State of the Union Revealed About Foreign Policy and the 2024 Election
A postgame analysis with Susan Glasser.
Biden Starkly Lays Out the Stakes for 2024
The president delivered one of the most politically significant State of the Union addresses in memory.
John Bolton’s Biggest Fears About Trump 2.0
The Republican gadfly—and former U.S. ambassador and national security advisor—warns that Trump 2.0 will be even worse and more chaotic than the original.
Is Biden’s Gaza Policy Alienating Black Voters?
Washington’s handling of the Israel-Palestine conflict appears to be hurting the president’s credibility among African Americans.
A Self-Absorbed America Means Disorder for the World
The dam holding back chaos in U.S. foreign policy is cracking.
Trump’s NATO Bashing Confirms Europe’s Worst Fears
The former president’s comments come as European military leaders warn of a potential war with Russia.
Why China Is Rooting for Trump
Beijing’s long game would be much better served by the candidate’s policies and the divisions he would unleash.
Europe Braces for Trump 2.0
European officials are scrambling to ensure the transatlantic relationship can survive the U.S. election.
Another Trump Presidency Won’t Much Change U.S. Foreign Policy
The world’s fears are mostly exaggerated.
How the Gaza War Could Shape Global Politics in 2024
From India to Germany to the United States, debate over the war could have real electoral consequences.
Biden Thought 2023 Was Bad
The U.S. president’s challenges this year won’t stop at the waterfront.
What Another Trump-Biden Showdown Means for the World
Potential effects on the U.S. commitment to multilateralism, climate change, Taiwan, and more.
Peering Into the Crystal Ball: 10 National Security Predictions for 2024
What we think will happen, for better or worse, in 2024.
4 Foreign Policy Takeaways From the Latest Republican Presidential Debate
China and border security will be top priorities for GOP frontrunners in 2024.
Looks Like ‘Axis of Evil’ Is Back on the Menu
The Bush-era credo is back in vogue, to the delight of some and the dismay of others.
What Ron DeSantis Learned in Iraq
The Florida governor has touted his military experience on the campaign trail. But what did he really learn at war?
Why the U.S.-Mexico Relationship Could Get Even Worse
Next year’s near-simultaneous elections and a spiral of escalatory rhetoric spell danger, but there is a way out.
Trump Didn’t Invent Isolationism
History suggests the Republican Party will continue to argue over foreign policy beyond the MAGA era.
Vivek Ramaswamy’s Foreign Policies Raise Eyebrows in Washington
The GOP’s rising star offers up a grab bag of ideas cribbed from Eminem to Richard Nixon.
The GOP’s Nice Guy Wants to Put on a War Face Toward China
Sen. Tim Scott has been called soft on China. That doesn’t convince the base, and he’s enlisted hawks to toughen him up.