This map shows where the US military is deploying refueling tankers near Iran. These are aircraft that hold fuel, allowing for aerial refueling and therefore sustained fighting. Data via: DefenceGeek, Responsible Statecraft

This map shows that portions of Cuba are no longer lit at night, as the US blockade of the country continues. Almost no oil has been imported by Cuba since the blockade began in early January.

Trump is considering another attack on Iran after last month's protests, reporting suggests. But Washington might be dangerously misunderstanding Iran. On this episode of None Of The Above, Jonathan Guyer sits down with @nargesbajoghli.bsky.social to unpack developments in Iran.

This graphic shows the cost of the US naval presence in the Caribbean - which totaled $2.9 billion over the past 6 months. Last week, the US announced that the USS Gerald Ford strike group would be redeployed from the Caribbean to the Middle East.

This map shows the location of the US withdrawal from Syria, and where US troops remain in place. US forces withdrew from Al-Tanf along Syria's southern border today. As of December 2025, there were around 1,000 US troops in Syria.

This graphic shows which countries' Olympians have earned the most gold medals. Norway ranks first, followed by the United States and Germany.

IGA’s Independent America program is proud to present this year’s cohort of nonresident fellows. The nonresident fellows each bring a record of scholarship and cutting-edge policy research in a complex international landscape.

This map shows which US bases are within range of Iran's missiles. President Trump has increased pressure on Iran in recent weeks by deploying a US carrier strike group off its coast. Nuclear negotiations between the two countries continued last Friday.

This map shows the US military build-up in the Middle East this month. President Trump has repeatedly threatened to attack Iran in recent weeks. US and Iranian delegates are meeting today in Qatar to negotiate possible restraints on Iran's nuclear program.

There's no such thing as limited strikes | Jonathan Guyer on the Arlene Bynon Show

This map shows which countries have nuclear weapons. The United States and Russia control the vast majority of the world's nuclear stockpile. This morning, the last remaining nuclear agreement between the US and Russia expired.

Trump has bombed Iran and kidnapped Venezuela's president - while also having negotiated a ceasefire in Gaza. What are his goals? And who is shaping those decisions? On this week's episode of None Of The Above, host Jonathan Guyer sits down with Curt Mills to make sense of MAGA foreign policy.

This map shows the European Union's trade agreements with outside countries in 2025. This week, the EU concluded negotiations for a new free trade agreement with India. Negotiations began nearly 20 years ago in 2007.

Maduro is out, but the regime he once led remains. What will that mean for Venezuela? On this episode of None Of The Above, host Jonathan Guyer sits down with Alejandro Velasco to talk about Trump's intervention and its repercussions.

Trump posted this photo, which parodies a Wikipedia page, showing him as acting president of Venezuela. In a news conference following the capture of Venezuela's President Maduro, Trump stated that the United States would run Venezuela indefinitely.

This new chart shows that most Americans think President Trump has gone too far with military interventions overseas. That includes a sizeable majority of independents and a significant minority of Republicans.

IGA hosted a roundtable on Venezuela and President Trump's emerging doctrine in the Western Hemisphere, with Will Freeman and Hannah Dreier in conversation with Jonathan Guyer. Thanks to all who joined for a great conversation and look out for more IGA events in the future.

This map shows the path that most fentanyl takes to get into the United States, according to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). The primary shipments originate in Asia before either directly entering Northern America markets or passing through Mexico. Venezuela is not pictured.

This map shows the geopolitical contours of the Arctic - including shipping lanes, military bases, natural resources, and icebreaker fleets. Greenland has been in the news in recent weeks, as President Trump has renewed his effort to acquire the territory for the United States.

This map shows the major paths of international firearms trafficking, circa 2016-17. Many of the weapons found in Latin America, the Middle East, and the Caribbean originate in Northern America, particularly the United States.

This map shows the path of the Russian-designated oil tanker which was seized by the US military off the coast of Iceland. The vessel smuggled oil through a US blockade of Venezuela.

This map shows the location of protests within Iran. Mass demonstrations erupted in Iran late last month amid sharp price inflation and a weakening currency. Today was the 12th day of protests.

This map shows where Trump has ordered airstrikes since his return to office. In one year, Trump has dropped more bombs than Biden did during his entire term.

Trump's initial Mideast peace salvo offered hope for Gaza. But amid ongoing Israeli attacks, Palestine's future remains uncertain. This week on None Of The Above, host Jonathan Guyer sat down with Palestinian journalist @mohamhawish.bsky.social to chat about what comes next. Listen now.

This map shows the location of strikes within Caracas, the capital of Venezuela on January 3, 2026. US fighter jets struck the military base and airport, while special forces attacked the presidential palace, capturing President Nicolás Maduro.

This map shows the path of the US capture of Nicolás Maduro and attack on Venezuela. President Trump has stated that the United States will run Venezuela until new leadership is established. He also said that US companies would begin to extract oil from the country.

Trump’s foreign policy has shattered conventions, from negotiating directly with Hamas to lifting sanctions on Syria, writes Jonathan Guyer. But he’s also had big successes – what lessons are there from his approach?

This map shows the sources of Switzerland’s gold. It is the largest gold refining country on the planet, despite having no gold mines of its own. Although the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is the largest known source of gold for Switzerland, most sources remain unknown.

This map shows the location of the Chinese drills around Taiwan which began today. Chinese drills around Taiwan have grown in scale and frequency since then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit in 2022, which many analysts mark as a tipping point.

Israel wants to draw America into more strikes against Iran, says Jonathan Guyer. The president shouldn’t do it, he argues. The American people don’t support it, and it risks escalation to a wider regional war. Watch his full conversation with Antonia Hylton on MS NOW.

This map shows where America bombed militants in Nigeria on Christmas and the location of recent ISIS-related violence. President Trump announced the airstrikes himself against Islamic State militants. The strike was reportedly coordinated with Nigeria's government.

Trump's 'cowboy diplomats' have yielded impressive results, argues Jonathan Guyer. But the administration’s critics say the deals in Ukraine and Gaza are half-baked. What can foreign policymakers learn from the Trump approach? Read his piece in @nytimes.com @nytopinion.nytimes.com.

This map shows how travel to the US from most foreign countries has decreased in the past year. Forecasts put the overall decline from last year at around 8%. The results are mixed, however. Canadian visits to the US have sharply declined, while Mexican visits have increased.

Trump announced a new class of US battleships this week, named after himself. If completed, these would be the first new battleships in the US navy since the last Iowa-class battleship was built in 1944.

“Mr. Trump’s cowboy diplomats, with their jets and ostentatious deal-making, may end up helping him stop the biggest wars he inherited.” writes Jonathan Guyer. But, there are real risks. Read his piece in @nytimes.com @nytopinion.nytimes.com.

"Cowboy diplomacy can be highly effective for the opening salvo, but if the experts aren’t around to step in to finalize the details, these flashy deals may soon fall to pieces," writes Jonathan Guyer. Read his full piece about Trump's 'cowboy diplomats' in @nytimes.com @nytopinion.nytimes.com.

Trump's 'cowboy diplomats' have been remarkably effective at initiating peace processes, writes Jonathan Guyer. But when it comes to sorting the details, they rarely succeed. Read the full piece in @nytimes.com @nytopinion.nytimes.com.

This map shows how commercial flights have avoided Venezuela's airspace this month. President Trump announced in late November that the airspace around Venezuela considered 'closed in its entirety'. There has been no official US military action to enforce the enclosure.

"The foreign policy establishment should not write off the Trump approach," Jonathan Guyer writes. "Sometimes Mr. Trump’s unconventional foreign policy — let’s call it cowboy diplomacy — just works."

"The foreign policy establishment should not write off the Trump approach," Jonathan Guyer writes. "Sometimes Mr. Trump’s unconventional foreign policy — let’s call it cowboy diplomacy — just works."

Applications open now for IGA's International Democracy Fellowship! We've extended the deadline to January 12, 2026. Elected leaders worldwide who have held office for a decade or less are encouraged to apply. instituteforglobalaffairs.org/projects/int...

American foreign policy needs a change. But what comes next? On this week's episode of None Of The Above, host Jonathan Guyer sits down with Emma Ashford to explore how she answers these questions in her new book, "First Among Equals". Listen to their conversation wherever you get your podcasts.

Geopolitics can sometimes feel lawless and unpredictable. And Trump's unconventional mode of foreign policy might be what's needed to end major wars. But lasting peace will require more than a gunslinger, cautions Jonathan Guyer in The New York Times. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/15/o...

This map shows the location of recent skirmishes between Thailand and Cambodia. Fighting broke out this week on the border, less than five months after the last clash.

Applications for IGA's International Democracy Fellowship 2026 are due this Saturday, December 13, 2025. Elected officials are encouraged to apply! Fellows will share (and learn from) locally informed strategies for effective democratic practice. instituteforglobalaffairs.org/projects/int...

This map shows areas controlled by different factions in Sudan's civil war. This week, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) attacked a kindergarten and hospital, killing 114 people in South Kordofan.

This week, Zelensky is meeting with European leaders in London to discuss Trump's peace plan for the Russia-Ukraine war. But among Americans, Trump's approach has remained broadly unpopular, according to IGA survey data. (Note that this survey was fielded in early October.)

This map shows the location of history's largest recorded earthquakes. A 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck Japan today, injuring 23 people and triggering a small tsunami. One of the largest ever earthquakes (#6) was recorded earlier this year, near Kamchatka, Russia.

FINAL DAY | IGA's 2026 nonresident fellowship program. -$4,000 stipend -attend IGA’s spring retreat in NYC -monthly career development workshops -3 to 4 deliverables, including op-eds, videos, or events Scholars and practitioners encouraged to apply! instituteforglobalaffairs.org/2026-nonresi...

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is under fire from legislators as they investigate the legality of orders to strike boats near Venezuela. IGA polling finds that Hegseth is the least popular of the Trump administration's Nat. Sec. officials, although not significantly so.