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Foreign Policy

May 2026

U.N. Blacklists Israel, Russia for Sexual Violence in Conflict

Both countries have refuted the allegations and accused the agency of bias

Danny Danonambassador
We are done with this secretary-general,
Vasily Nebenzyau.N. Ambassador
We will write a letter to the secretary-general saying that these are unsubstantiated lies and alleged things which again portray Russia as a villain, like they do all the time,
Pramila Pattenmauritian-British barrister and United Nations official
The figures contained in this report should be understood not as the full picture but as an indication of a much broader pattern of violations that remain largely unseen and underreported,

As Trade Talks Begin, U.S.-Mexico Ties Falter

There’s a real duel between the presidents of Mexico and the United States, a challenge that’s been brewing for months,
It’s urgent and of utmost necessity for Mexico to preserve the agreement,
Arturo Sarukhánmexican ambassador to the United States
There’s a pipeline of more indictments coming our way,
Arturo Sarukhánmexican ambassador to the United States
That means that at least for the next three years, the U.S. administration will have a very important leverage point against the Mexican government,
There’s no doubt that there’s a before and after the extradition request,
Claudia Sheinbaumpresident
We will not cover up for anyone who has committed a crime,
Arturo Sarukhánmexican ambassador to the United States
It’s building up to a crescendo,
Claudia Sheinbaumpresident
This is not something that should be taken lightly by any Mexican,
We may soon see significant action on this front. So, stay tuned.”
Those American companies with interests in Mexico saved NAFTA in 2018, and I’m sure they’re going to save the USMCA,

Groundhog Day: Iran War Edition

Petr Macinkaczech Foreign Minister
There’s a lot of critics of president Trump and the United States after they started this operation against Iran, but they probably forgot something,
This is totally in line with what we’ve been hearing from the beginning,
Petr Macinkaczech Foreign Minister
We [in Europe] were very serious about condemning what was happening in Iran—their acts against their own society,
The White House appreciates all of his contributions leading the Europe and Russia directorate on President Trump’s national security team, and we wish him well,

Tentative U.S.-Iran Cease-Fire Extension Deal Awaits Trump’s Approval

This is an agreement to get everybody to the table,
These actions were measured, purely defensive, and intended to maintain the cease-fire,
Arthur Géatennis player
I need to go to the bathroom,
Jamieson Greeru.S. Trade Representative
Two countries in the world retaliated against us: the People’s Republic of China and Canada,

Trump Accuses Iran of Stalling Peace Talks

At the same time, the White House is optimistic that a deal to end the war is in reach

Donald Trumppresident
They thought they were going to outwait me,
I don’t care about the midterms — look what happened last night,
I cannot call elections for partisan interests. I have to call elections for the general interest of the citizens.”
They’re casting us aside to die,

Trump Is Making NATO Stronger, Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Says

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys is seen standing next to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio

Kęstutis Budryslithuanian Foreign Minister
That’s our ally that needs our participation,
Kęstutis Budryslithuanian Foreign Minister
At the end of the day, when we look back to this period, I’m convinced that the conclusion will be that President Trump made this alliance stronger, not weaker,

On AI, It’s the Pope vs. Trump

Two years later, the group reconvened in Paris under a different title: the AI Action Summit

Donald Trumppresident
We’re leading China, we’re leading everybody, and I don’t want to do anything that’s going to get in the way of that lead,
The AI future is not going to be won by hand-wringing about safety.”
JD Vancevice President
I’m sure it will contain a lot of insights, some of which I’ll probably agree with, some of which I may not, but I think that it’s going to be a very, very important document,
Pope Leo XIIIhe had the fourth-longest reign of any pope, behind those of Peter the Apostle, Pius IX (his predecessor), and John Paul II
Calling for prudence, rigorous evaluation and even, at times, a slower pace in adopting AI does not mean opposing progress; instead, it is an exercise of responsible care for the human family,
Pope Leo XIIIhe had the fourth-longest reign of any pope, behind those of Peter the Apostle, Pius IX (his predecessor), and John Paul II
Technological innovations, including artificial intelligence, are not neutral, for they can either foster participation and justice or they can exacerbate inequality, control and exclusion,
All men are equal; there is here no difference between rich and poor, master and servant, ruler and ruled, ‘for the same is Lord over all,’
We need informed critics who will tell the labs when we are failing,

Indonesia’s Dive Into Economic Nationalism

A messy rollout looks set to disrupt global commodity markets

[T... T]he international community must not treat the destruction of Preah Vihear as a minor consequence of a distant border conflict,
Exports of some of the most sensitive Norwegian-developed defence technologies will be limited to our allies and closest partners,
Malaysia has honored every obligation under this contract since 2018: scrupulously, faithfully, and without equivocation,

U.S. Launches ‘Self-Defense’ Strikes on Iran

Motorists in Tehran drive their vehicles past a political billboard featuring U.S. President Donald Trump and the Strait of Hormuz

Undoubtedly, the Islamic Republic of Iran will not leave any act of hostility unanswered and will not hesitate in defending Iran’s sovereignty,
Pope Leo XIVpope
It is not our part to master all the tides of the world, but to do what is in us for the succor of those years wherein we are set, uprooting the evil in the fields that we know, so that those who live after may have clean earth to till.”
Benjamin Netanyahuprime Minister
We are not removing our foot from the pedal,
Due to the fact that the above-mentioned facilities are scattered across Kyiv, we are notifying foreign citizens, including the personnel of diplomatic missions and international organizations of the need to leave the city as soon as possible,
Marco Rubiosecretary of State
We are beginning to show real achievements and real accomplishments,
Marco Rubiosecretary of State
We’ll see if we can make progress,