The rise of a so-called “Axis of Authoritarianism” is often touted as a major threat to the United States. The events of the past week are just the latest evidence that it’s largely a myth.

Shadow shipping networks sustain Venezuela’s troubled oil industry. Now, Trump has turned these systems into a contested front line in a much wider struggle over global energy and power.

Global nuclear security dynamics are moving in an increasingly dangerous direction. The world needs to envision an alternative system of global nonproliferation, Marialaura De Angelis writes.

The U.S. operation in Venezuela to seize Nicolas Maduro confirms that Latin America must take Trump’s military threats seriously.

The aftermath of the U.S. operation in Venezuela demonstrates once again that the threat of the “Axis of Authoritarianism” is largely a myth, Adam Gallagher writes.

By continuing to enforce an oil embargo as a way to exert control over Caracas, Trump has inserted the U.S. into Venezuela’s troubled oil industry—and the covert Russian shipping networks that sustain it, Candace Rondeaux writes.

Does Trump’s attack on Venezuela represent business as usual for U.S. policy in Latin America, or a break with the past? WPR Editor-in-Chief Elliot Waldman weighs in:

The recent erosion of global nuclear security dynamics makes clear the need to look beyond the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

The Trump administration clearly wants the U.S. to dominate Venezuela. But as columnist James Bosworth (@bloggingsbyboz.bsky.social) writes, they also want to demonstrate to the rest of the hemisphere that the threat of U.S. military action is very real.

In an increasingly lawless global order governed by great power politics, it is imperative to look beyond the NPT and envision an alternative system of global nonproliferation, Marialaura De Angelis writes.

The U.S. operation in Venezuela to seize Nicolas Maduro confirms that Latin America must take Trump’s military threats seriously, columnist James Bosworth (@bloggingsbyboz.bsky.social) writes.

For the humanitarian community, 2025 has been the worst year on record. But there are also trends worth celebrating—and watching in the year ahead.

Israel’s decision to recognize the breakaway republic of Somaliland has the potential to further destabilize Somalia, a country that is already at risk of coming apart at the seams.

Marine Le Pen’s National Rally, once confined to the margins of French politics, is gaining legitimacy among voters and elites alike.

As 2025 draws to a close, a crisis mindset pervades the foreign policy community. Indeed, for the humanitarian community, this has been the worst year on record. But there are three trends worth celebrating—and watching in the year ahead.

Amid an ongoing spat between Asia’s top two economies, Japan is seeking a diplomatic offramp while China plays hardball.

Israel’s controversial decision to recognize the breakaway republic of Somaliland has the potential to further destabilize Somalia, while also undermining global norms in favor of upholding states’ territorial integrity.

What was once unthinkable in France has now become not only thinkable, but increasingly probable: The extreme-right National Rally may well soon take the helm of the republic it has long despised.

“China appears determined to use Takaichi’s comments to test not only Japan’s resolve, but also that of its key ally, the United States.”

For the humanitarian community, 2025 has been the worst year on record. But there are also trends worth celebrating, and watching, @charlicarpenter.bsky.social writes.

Israel’s decision to recognize the breakaway republic of Somaliland has the potential to further destabilize Somalia, a country that is already at risk of coming apart at the seams, @lesleyannewarner.bsky.social writes.

Marine Le Pen’s National Rally, once confined to the margins of French politics, is gaining legitimacy among voters and elites alike, Robert Zaretsky writes.

Amid an ongoing spat between Asia’s top two economies, Japan is seeking a diplomatic offramp while China plays hardball, Derek Grossman writes.

As 2025 comes to a close and we prepare to ring in a new year, WPR reached out to our columnists to ask what trends they’ll be keeping an eye on in 2026. Read the first installment here:

A decade after its birth, the landmark Paris climate deal is on life support. But a better model is possible for climate diplomacy, @jenniferhadden.bsky.social writes.

Before the new year begins, our columnists weigh in on how the Trump administration’s foreign policy of upheaval will continue to reverberate across the globe. Read predictions from @dandrezner.bsky.social, @rikefranke.bsky.social, @bloggingsbyboz.bsky.social & @profpaulpoast.bsky.social here:

Ten years in, the Paris Agreement has only had limited success in achieving its climate goals. @jenniferhadden.bsky.social breaks down how the challenges facing the agreement can be addressed in climate governance going forward:

A close alliance between Senegal’s president and prime minister has given way to rivalry and frustration. The schism threatens to metastasize into a broader governance crisis.

China emerged victorious in Trump’s tariff showdown while increasingly throwing its economic weight around with other trading partners. And yet, the domestic challenges to China’s economic growth have not gone away.

A decade after its birth, the landmark Paris climate deal is on life support. But a better model is possible for climate diplomacy.

A falling out between Senegal’s president and prime minister—once close allies—threatens to metastasize into a broader governance crisis.

Even as it has thrown its economic weight around, the fundamental domestic challenges to China’s economic growth have not gone away.

Despite the economic and geopolitical challenges it faced in 2025, Europe appears poised to reject a deal that would help it compete globally, James Bosworth (@bloggingsbyboz.bsky.social) writes.

For analysts who study the Islamic State, recent high-profile attacks by the violent extremist group come as no surprise, Clara Broekaert & Colin P. Clarke write.

A bitter falling-out between the prime minister and president is damaging Senegal’s position as an island of stability in West Africa, Jessica Moody writes.

China has been throwing its economic weight around with trading partners, but it also faces weak economic fundamentals at home, Mary Gallagher writes.

“Rejecting a deal that offers an opportunity to diversify its markets and collaborate with Global South countries is counterproductive to Europe’s geopolitical goals.”

For analysts who study the Islamic State, recent high-profile incidents related to the group come as no surprise. After all, despite claims that the group had been defeated, the reality is far more complex.

Despite the economic and geopolitical challenges it faced in 2025, Europe appears poised to reject a deal that would help it compete globally.

For analysts who study the Islamic State, recent high-profile attacks by the violent extremist group come as no surprise.

Last month, Taiwan’s president announced a proposal for a historic, $40 billion supplemental defense budget. The proposal marks a sea change in Taiwan’s strategic posture.

For decades, child mortality consistently fell year after year, becoming one of the world’s most notable global health achievements. In 2025, though, it rose.

Taipei’s new defense budget is a sea change in the island’s strategic posture. But first, it will have to pass through a divided legislature.

After the U.S. and other wealthy nations cut back on foreign aid, one of the world’s greatest global health achievements started reversing, leading to a rise in child mortality for the first time in decades.

Six years into his rule, even Tunisians who initially tolerated Kais Saied’s authoritarian bargain in the hope that it would improve livelihoods are increasingly disillusioned.

Even as they prepare to fight Russia, Europeans across much of the political spectrum are increasingly alarmed about Washington, @fridaghitis.bsky.social writes.

Last month, Taiwan’s president announced a proposal for a historic, $40 billion supplemental defense budget. As @barrosbryce.bsky.social writes, the proposal marks a sea change in Taiwan’s strategic posture.

Aid cuts by the U.S. and other wealthy nations around the world have caused a decline in health funding. More children are dying as a result, @profpaulpoast.bsky.social writes.

Last week, WPR Editor-in-Chief Elliot Waldman moderated a panel for the @cfr.org on how the rise of youth-driven protest movements across the world is changing global politics. Watch it here: youtu.be/U94tTryehHc

As Tunisia’s democracy has been dismantled, living standards have also collapsed, driving discontent—and public backlash—against Kais Saied’s authoritarian rule.