John Haltiwanger
@jchaltiwanger.bsky.social
đ€ 2158
đ„ 2225
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Staff Writer at ForeignPolicy.com Send tips/ideas to
[email protected]
NEW: Months into the fragile cease-fire, Trumpâs Gaza peace plan has stalled amid an impasse over disarmament. Gaza now appears in danger of remaining in an indefinite limbo in which Hamas controls a portion of the territory while Israel occupies the rest.
foreignpolicy.com/2026/05/05/t...
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Trumpâs Gaza Impasse
Experts say Hamas has few incentives to disarm.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/05/05/trump-gaza-peace-plan-hamas-disarmament-stalled/
4 days ago
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reposted by
John Haltiwanger
Rishi Iyengar
8 days ago
This week's SitRep with
@jchaltiwanger.bsky.social
: Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken said his meeting with Pete Hegseth in Washington this week was "very positive" and "there was no hostility." Belgium's defense spending went up by 59% last year.
foreignpolicy.com/2026/04/30/h...
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The View From Europe
Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken on Hegseth, Hormuz, and NATO.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/04/30/hormuz-iran-trump-nato-belgium-francken/
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reposted by
John Haltiwanger
Foreign Policy
16 days ago
With the cease-fire hanging by a thread, FPâs
@jchaltiwanger.bsky.social
examines five of the most pressing questions if the truce ultimately collapses.
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What Happens if the U.S.-Iran Cease-Fire Collapses?
The truce is hanging by a thread despite Trumpâs extension.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/04/22/what-happens-if-us-iran-cease-fire-collapses-trump-hormuz/
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With the U.S.-Iran cease-fire hanging by a thread, I wrote about five of the most pressing questions if the truce ultimately collapses.
foreignpolicy.com/2026/04/22/w...
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What Happens if the U.S.-Iran Cease-Fire Collapses?
The truce is hanging by a thread despite Trumpâs extension.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/04/22/what-happens-if-us-iran-cease-fire-collapses-trump-hormuz/
16 days ago
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reposted by
John Haltiwanger
Rishi Iyengar
22 days ago
Trump's Friday Truth Social posting has been highly erratic even by his usual chaotic standardsâcapping off a terrible week for the U.S. president in which he fought with the pope and lost some of his closest European allies.
foreignpolicy.com/2026/04/16/t...
with
@jchaltiwanger.bsky.social
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Trumpâs Awful Week
The U.S. president is picking fights in every direction, alienating key supporters and allies.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/04/16/trump-pope-vance-meloni-italy-uk-iran-sudan/
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The U.S. president is picking fights in every direction, alienating key supporters and allies.
foreignpolicy.com/2026/04/16/t...
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Trumpâs Awful Week
The U.S. president is picking fights in every direction, alienating key supporters and allies.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/04/16/trump-pope-vance-meloni-italy-uk-iran-sudan/
22 days ago
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This week's SitRep from me and
@iyengarish.bsky.social
explores how Israelâs offensive in Lebanon is threatening the tenuous Iran war ceasefire.
foreignpolicy.com/2026/04/09/i...
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Will Netanyahu Derail the Iran War Cease-Fire?
Israelâs offensive in Lebanon is threatening the tenuous truce.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/04/09/israel-lebanon-iran-cease-fire-trump-netanyahu/
30 days ago
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The fragile truce faces significant obstacles.
foreignpolicy.com/2026/04/08/u...
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5 Unanswered Questions on the U.S.-Iran Cease-Fire
The fragile truce faces significant obstacles.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/04/08/us-iran-cease-fire-israel-lebanon-strait-hormuz-questions/
about 1 month ago
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reposted by
John Haltiwanger
Rishi Iyengar
about 1 month ago
More on the ceasefire itself from my colleague
@jchaltiwanger.bsky.social
foreignpolicy.com/2026/04/07/i...
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U.S. and Iran Agree to 2-Week Cease-Fire
The announcement came less than two hours before Trumpâs deadline was set to expire.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/04/07/iran-accepts-ceasefire-trump-hormuz-10-point-plan/
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reposted by
John Haltiwanger
Rishi Iyengar
about 1 month ago
@jchaltiwanger.bsky.social
and I also wrote about the (few) clues offered by Trump in his Wednesday night prime time speech about how and when the war with Iran might end, in this week's Situation Report newsletter:
foreignpolicy.com/2026/04/02/t...
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Whatâs Next for the Iran War?
A prime-time Trump speech offered few clues.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/04/02/trump-iran-war-speech-what-happens-next/
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reposted by
John Haltiwanger
Rishi Iyengar
about 1 month ago
We still don't know what the tens of thousands of U.S. troops in Iran might be used for, but
@jchaltiwanger.bsky.social
explored the most dangerous possibilityâa mission to seize Iran's highly enriched uranium stockpiles:
foreignpolicy.com/2026/04/01/u...
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What a U.S. Operation to Get Iranâs Uranium Would Look Like
Itâs even more complicated than capturing a Venezuelan president.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/04/01/us-operation-iran-highly-enriched-uranium-nuclear-bomb-trump-war/
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Trump has vacillated over whether the U.S. needs to secure Iran's highly enriched uranium. That could be because an operation to do so would be extremely risky. I spoke with former U.S. officials who expressed grave concerns over the potential dangers.
foreignpolicy.com/2026/04/01/u...
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What a U.S. Operation to Get Iranâs Uranium Would Look Like
Itâs even more complicated than capturing a Venezuelan president.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/04/01/us-operation-iran-highly-enriched-uranium-nuclear-bomb-trump-war/
about 1 month ago
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Read the latest SitRep from me and
@iyengarish.bsky.social
for a breakdown on the thousands of additional U.S. troops that Trump is sending to the Middle East and the operations they could potentially be involved in.
foreignpolicy.com/2026/03/26/t...
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Will Trump Put Boots on the Ground in Iran?
Thousands more U.S. troops are heading to the Middle East.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/03/26/trump-boots-on-ground-iran-us-troops-war-middle-east/
about 1 month ago
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A report earlier this month on potential Iranian drone attacks in California raised a lot of alarm. It turned out to be based on unverified info. But I spoke with multiple drone/security experts who warned that the U.S. still needs to be prepared for such threats:
foreignpolicy.com/2026/03/25/i...
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Could Iran Actually Attack the U.S. Homeland With Drones?
No country is immune to the threat of drone warfare, experts warn.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/03/25/iran-attack-united-states-california-drones-war-trump/
about 2 months ago
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reposted by
John Haltiwanger
Foreign Policy
about 2 months ago
FPâs
@jchaltiwanger.bsky.social
and
@iyengarish.bsky.social
take a look at what the intelligence communityâs annual threat assessment says about the primary U.S. adversaries, conflicts, and threats in 2026.
foreignpolicy.com/2026/03/19/i...
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Assessing (and Not Assessing) the Threats to the United States
The U.S. intelligence communityâs latest global threat assessment focuses heavily on Iran.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/03/19/iran-war-tulsi-gabbard-intelligence-senate-testimony/
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Yesterday, Israelâs top diplomat in NYC told me strikes like the one on Iranâs South Pars gas field were âpart of the planâ and suggested the U.S. knew that Israel would attack Iranâs energy infrastructure. Hours later, Trump was singing a different tune.
foreignpolicy.com/2026/03/19/i...
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Israel Attacking Iranâs Energy âWasnât a Surpriseâ to the Trump Administration
Israelâs top diplomat in New York City says strikes like the one on Iranâs South Pars gas field were âpart of the plan.â
https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/03/19/israel-attack-iran-energy-war-trump-ofir-akunis-new-york/
about 2 months ago
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reposted by
John Haltiwanger
Foreign Policy
about 2 months ago
FPâs
@iyengarish.bsky.social
and
@jchaltiwanger.bsky.social
explain the tools that Iran still has to maintain pressure on Trump.
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Iranâs Strait of Hormuz Toolkit: Drones, Missiles, and Mines
A breakdown of the tools Iran has to maintain pressure on Trump.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/03/12/iran-war-strait-hormuz-ships-mines-missiles-drones/
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reposted by
John Haltiwanger
Rishi Iyengar
about 2 months ago
The U.S. war against Iran has converged on the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping lane where the fight appears to be largely on Iran's terms at the moment.
@jchaltiwanger.bsky.social
and I look at how the Iranian regime is applying pressure to the critical waterway.
foreignpolicy.com/2026/03/12/i...
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Iranâs Strait of Hormuz Toolkit: Drones, Missiles, and Mines
A breakdown of the tools Iran has to maintain pressure on Trump.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/03/12/iran-war-strait-hormuz-ships-mines-missiles-drones/
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However, Trump said that âfor reasons of decency,â he chose âNOT to wipe out the Oil Infrastructure on the Island.â
foreignpolicy.com/2026/03/13/k...
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Trump Orders Strikes on Kharg Island, a Vital Hub for Iranâs Oil
However, Trump said that âfor reasons of decency,â he chose âNOT to wipe out the Oil Infrastructure on the Island.â
https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/03/13/kharg-island-bombing-iran-oil-strike-trump-truth-social/
about 2 months ago
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Yet another example of the confusing messaging from this administration on the Iran war. And it's not just re: the timeline. They've also failed to offer consistent justifications and objectives.
add a skeleton here at some point
2 months ago
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reposted by
John Haltiwanger
AFP News Agency
2 months ago
President Gustavo Petro's left-wing coalition was on track to be the largest bloc in Colombia's next Congress after a better-than-expected showing in legislative elections. The vote comes ahead of a May 31 presidential vote to elect Petroâs successor.
u.afp.com/Su9X
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https://u.afp.com/Su9X
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A country-by-country breakdown on how the war has spread.
foreignpolicy.com/2026/03/09/i...
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The Iran War Has Rapidly Expanded Beyond the Middle East
A country-by-country breakdown on how the war has spread.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/03/09/iran-war-countries-targeted-regional-impact-middle-east-trump-israel/
2 months ago
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reposted by
John Haltiwanger
Sam Fellman
2 months ago
"We were sure the US had some secret weapon" against Shahed drones, a Ukrainian commander said. The war in Iran proved that wrong. Via BI's
@byjepstein.bsky.social
, Sinéad Bake and Matthew Loh:
www.businessinsider.com/ukrainian-tr...
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Ukrainian troops say their hard-won lessons on Iranian Shaheds apply far beyond their war at home
Ukraine developed low-cost ways to defeat Iranian drone designs, and some troops say the lessons from its war now have wider relevance.
https://www.businessinsider.com/ukrainian-troops-air-defenses-shaheds-2026-3
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Trumpâs goals in Iran are expansive, shifting, and potentially impossible. More on that in the latest SitRep from me and
@iyengarish.bsky.social
:
foreignpolicy.com/2026/03/05/t...
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Operation Epic Confusion
Trumpâs goals in Iran are expansive, shifting, and potentially impossible.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/03/05/trump-iran-war-goals-objectives-military-nuclear-regime-change/
2 months ago
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âThe Iranian navy rests at the bottom of the Persian Gulf," Hegseth said. "Decimated, destroyed, defeated.â Later, Caine said that the U.S. has "effectively neutralized" Iran's navy, but also said that "CENTCOM will continue to strike infrastructure and naval capability."
add a skeleton here at some point
2 months ago
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A bit of a theme is emerging in Pentagon briefings re: Iran. Hegseth makes sweeping statements. Then Caine offers more measured assessments. Hegseth today said Iran's navy is "no more." Then Caine made it clear that the effort to destroy the navy is ongoing. A notable disconnect.
2 months ago
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The U.S. president and his officials canât get their story straight.
foreignpolicy.com/2026/03/03/t...
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The Trump Administrationâs Iran War Justifications Keep Changing
The U.S. president and his officials canât get their story straight.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/03/03/trump-conflicting-justifications-iran-war-rubio-israel/
2 months ago
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âThis is not a so-called regime change war,â Hegseth said.
foreignpolicy.com/2026/03/02/p...
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Pentagon Says Iran War Is âNot Iraq,â but Wonât Rule Out Boots on the Ground
âThis is not a so-called regime change war,â Hegseth said.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/03/02/pentagon-briefing-iran-hegseth-iraq-boots-on-ground-trump/
2 months ago
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The U.S. president said Tehranâs leaders want to talk even as they vowed revenge.
foreignpolicy.com/2026/03/01/u...
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Trump Addresses First U.S. Deaths in Iran War, Possibility of Talks
The U.S. president said Tehranâs leaders want to talk even as they vowed revenge.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/03/01/us-military-casualties-deaths-iran-war-trump/
2 months ago
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The announcement comes as the war continues into its second day.
foreignpolicy.com/2026/03/01/u...
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First U.S. Casualties Confirmed in Iran War
The announcement comes as the war continues into its second day.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/03/01/us-military-casualties-deaths-iran-war-trump/
2 months ago
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From me and
@iyengarish.bsky.social
: Trump Says Iranian Supreme Leader Is Dead
foreignpolicy.com/2026/02/28/t...
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Trump Says Iranian Supreme Leader Is Dead
Iran has not confirmed Ayatollah Ali Khameneiâs death.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/02/28/trump-iran-khamenei-dead-ayatollah-supreme-leader/
2 months ago
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reposted by
John Haltiwanger
Rishi Iyengar
2 months ago
I wrote about the broader fight that led to that statement in today's
@foreignpolicy.com
Situation Report
foreignpolicy.com/2026/02/26/p...
via
@jchaltiwanger.bsky.social
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The Pentagon and Anthropicâs High-Stakes Game of Chicken
The U.S. military wants unrestricted use of the AI companyâs language models.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/02/26/pentagon-anthropic-fight-hegseth-amodei-meeting/
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reposted by
John Haltiwanger
Rishi Iyengar
2 months ago
U.S., Israel Begin âMajor Combat Operationsâ in Iran đ§
foreignpolicy.com/2026/02/28/u...
w
@jennruth.bsky.social
@jchaltiwanger.bsky.social
via
@foreignpolicy.com
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U.S., Israel Begin âMajor Combat Operationsâ in Iran
âTheyâve rejected every opportunity to renounce their nuclear ambitions, and we canât take it anymore,â Trump said.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/02/28/us-israel-strike-iran-trump-nuclear-program-missiles/
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reposted by
John Haltiwanger
Foreign Policy
2 months ago
Former U.S. military leaders expressed concerns about the risks for U.S. forces and allies in the region if Trump gives the go-ahead for strikes, reports FPâs
@jchaltiwanger.bsky.social
.
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Will Trumpâs Luck Run Out if He Attacks Iran Again?
Four former generals break down the risks of a U.S. attack.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/02/24/trump-iran-attack-nuclear-former-generals-petraeus-venezuela/
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reposted by
John Haltiwanger
Phil Lewis
2 months ago
Rep. Al Green was holding a sign that reads "Black People Aren't Apes" at the
#SOTU
:
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Trump has tried to throw cold water on reports of Gen. Dan Caine's warnings about military action against Iran. I spoke with four former U.S. military leaders who also expressed concerns about the potential risks.
foreignpolicy.com/2026/02/24/t...
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Will Trumpâs Luck Run Out if He Attacks Iran Again?
Four former generals break down the risks of a U.S. attack.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/02/24/trump-iran-attack-nuclear-former-generals-petraeus-venezuela/
2 months ago
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New SitRep from me and
@iyengarish.bsky.social
:
foreignpolicy.com/2026/02/19/t...
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Will Trump Go to War With Iran?
The scale of the U.S. military buildup signals that strikes are likely.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/02/19/trump-war-iran-nuclear-china-taiwan-ukraine/
3 months ago
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Final dispatch from MSC 2026 from myself and
@iyengarish.bsky.social
foreignpolicy.com/2026/02/15/m...
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âAn Existential Question for Europeâ
The Munich Security Conference ends with no new answers on how to end the war in Ukraine.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/02/15/munich-security-conference-msc-kaja-kallas-woke-ukraine-gaza/
3 months ago
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The Republican senatorâs comments contradict U.S. President Donald Trumpâs position on Russia.
foreignpolicy.com/2026/02/14/r...
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Russia âNot Seriousâ About Peace Deal, Lindsey Graham Says
The Republican senatorâs comments contradict U.S. President Donald Trumpâs position on Russia.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/02/14/russia-ukraine-peace-deal-lindsey-graham-munich-not-serious/
3 months ago
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In Munich, I asked NATO chief Mark Rutte about the disconnect between Washington and Europe re: Ukraine peace negotiations. He insisted there is no such disconnect. "I think weâre on the same page," he said. Read more here:
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3 months ago
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reposted by
John Haltiwanger
Foreign Policy
3 months ago
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio marked Valentineâs Day by trying to kiss and make up with Europe, FPâs
@iyengarish.bsky.social
and
@jchaltiwanger.bsky.social
write.
foreignpolicy.com/2026/02/14/r...
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Rubioâs âReassuringâ Relationship Repair
The chief U.S. diplomat put a friendlier spin on the Trump administrationâs stern message to Europe.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/02/14/rubio-munich-msc-europe-nato-iran-graham/
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reposted by
John Haltiwanger
Rishi Iyengar
3 months ago
The scars of *that* Munich Security Conference speech by J.D. Vance--exactly a year ago--still run deep. Spotted this just outside the venue. More on where Europe stands now in
@foreignpolicy.com
's latest Situation Report with
@jchaltiwanger.bsky.social
foreignpolicy.com/2026/02/13/m...
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reposted by
John Haltiwanger
Foreign Policy
3 months ago
FPâs
@iyengarish.bsky.social
and
@jchaltiwanger.bsky.social
cover defense, diplomacy, and technology for Foreign Policy. They will be answering your questions over on Reddit today ahead of the Munich Security Conference this weekend. Join the AMA here:
www.reddit.com/r/worldnews/...
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From the worldnews community on Reddit: We cover security, defense, and technology at Foreign Policy magazine. Ask us anything ahead of this weekâs Munich Security Conference.
Explore this post and more from the worldnews community
https://www.reddit.com/r/worldnews/comments/1r14ryq/we_cover_security_defense_and_technology_at/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button
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reposted by
John Haltiwanger
Foreign Policy
3 months ago
Heading into the Munich Security Conference this week, European self-sufficiency is clearly at the top of the agenda. FPâs
@iyengarish.bsky.social
and
@jchaltiwanger.bsky.social
will be reporting live from Munich all weekendâsign up here to receive SitRep in your inbox each day:
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EU Donât Need U.S.?
Munich readies itself for a European defense renaissance.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/02/12/eu-nato-munich-security-conference-msc-colby/
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reposted by
John Haltiwanger
Foreign Policy Union
3 months ago
At a moment when journalism is more important than ever, the Washington Post's management has chosen to prioritize profit over holding the powerful accountable.
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reposted by
John Haltiwanger
Foreign Policy Union
3 months ago
It is shameful that the billionaire owner of such a storied publication has hollowed out its newsroom as U.S. democracy faces historic challenges and the world confronts several major crises.
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reposted by
John Haltiwanger
Foreign Policy Union
3 months ago
The Foreign Policy Union stands in solidarity with the Washington Post journalists who were affected by mass layoffs this week. 1/3
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reposted by
John Haltiwanger
Sam Fellman
3 months ago
The racism is out in the open. Trump and people close to him have been building towards open racism for years, as colleagues like
@jchaltiwanger.bsky.social
have written:
www.businessinsider.com/trump-turnin...
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Trump is increasingly relying on white-supremacist ploys to fire up his base as he panics over his reelection chances
President Donald Trump has repeatedly echoed the deceptions of white supremacists, which may be part of a strategy to exploit fear and prejudice.
https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-turning-to-white-supremacist-rhetoric-amid-panic-over-reelection-2020-6
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reposted by
John Haltiwanger
Ryan Teague Beckwith
3 months ago
A GoFundMe for Washington Post journalists has already raised $73,000
www.gofundme.com/f/standing-t...
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Donate to Washington Post 2026 layoff fund, organized by Rachel Siegel
On Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, The Washington Post laid off hundreds of journalists. We ar⊠Rachel Siegel needs your support for Washington Post 2026 layoff fund
https://www.gofundme.com/f/standing-together-for-guild-colleagues
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Solidarity with all of the hardworking WaPo journalists who lost their jobs today. As a reporter who has been laid off multiple times, I've been in your shoes before and I know how much it sucks. We are all worse off because of this. A sad day for media/democracy/the U.S.
3 months ago
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