Magazine cover with a light blue background featuring a large hourglass in the center. Inside the top bulb of the hourglass, a small globe of Earth rests on a pile of sand as the grains slip through the narrow neck into the bottom bulb. To the left, the black and white logo "FP" is visible with the text "SUMMER 2026" underneath. To the right, bold text reads "the End of," followed by a stacked list of terms including "The U.S.-Israel alliance," "Neoliberalism," "Trans-Atlanticism," "Climate politics," "The United Nations," "Asylum," "Political parties," "Chinese growth," "Morality," and "The future."
Magazine cover with a light blue background featuring a large hourglass in the center. Inside the top bulb of the hourglass, a small globe of Earth rests on a pile of sand as the grains slip through the narrow neck into the bottom bulb. To the left, the black and white logo "FP" is visible with the text "SUMMER 2026" underneath. To the right, bold text reads "the End of," followed by a stacked list of terms including "The U.S.-Israel alliance," "Neoliberalism," "Trans-Atlanticism," "Climate politics," "The United Nations," "Asylum," "Political parties," "Chinese growth," "Morality," and "The future."

The Magazine

Summer 2026 Editor's Note

The Magazine

Summer 2026 Editor's Note

Features

An illustration on a light blue background with a large hourglass in the center. Inside the top bulb of the hourglass, a small globe of Earth rests on a pile of sand as the grains slip through the narrow neck into the bottom bulb.
An illustration on a light blue background with a large hourglass in the center. Inside the top bulb of the hourglass, a small globe of Earth rests on a pile of sand as the grains slip through the narrow neck into the bottom bulb.

The End of the World as We Know It

Ten essays on what has been lost.

  • A museum-style glass display case sits against a solid orange background. Inside the case, on a white surface, are seven small, tattered fragments of fabric arranged in two rows. The fragments feature patterns from the United States flag (red and white stripes, and white stars on a blue field) and the Israeli flag (the blue Star of David and blue stripes on a white field). A small white label on the front left corner of the glass case reads "EXHIBIT I The U.S.-Israel Alliance".
    A museum-style glass display case sits against a solid orange background. Inside the case, on a white surface, are seven small, tattered fragments of fabric arranged in two rows. The fragments feature patterns from the United States flag (red and white stripes, and white stars on a blue field) and the Israeli flag (the blue Star of David and blue stripes on a white field). A small white label on the front left corner of the glass case reads "EXHIBIT I The U.S.-Israel Alliance".

    The End of the U.S.-Israel Alliance This article has an audio recording

    A joint war against Iran might be its apex. This article has an audio recording

    Joshua Leifer
  • An abstract artistic collage with a grainy, stippled texture, set against a solid beige background. The central rectangular piece features a dark grey, textured upper section that is torn horizontally across the middle, revealing a lighter background underneath. A simple white box shape sits at the bottom center. Scattered across the composition are several solid-colored circular cutouts—five in bright blue and six in bright red. Thin, black geometric lines form an abstract shape next to the right side of the white box.
    An abstract artistic collage with a grainy, stippled texture, set against a solid beige background. The central rectangular piece features a dark grey, textured upper section that is torn horizontally across the middle, revealing a lighter background underneath. A simple white box shape sits at the bottom center. Scattered across the composition are several solid-colored circular cutouts—five in bright blue and six in bright red. Thin, black geometric lines form an abstract shape next to the right side of the white box.

    The End of Political Parties This article has an audio recording

    They are hardly prepared for the new system. This article has an audio recording

    Anton Jäger
  • An illustration against a solid olive-green background features a detailed line drawing of a globe with latitude and longitude lines. Layered horizontally across the front of the globe are six shredded, parallel strips of a United States one-hundred-dollar bill. The strips are spaced apart, revealing parts of the globe behind them, but are aligned to show the partial face of Benjamin Franklin and elements of the currency text and serial numbers.
    An illustration against a solid olive-green background features a detailed line drawing of a globe with latitude and longitude lines. Layered horizontally across the front of the globe are six shredded, parallel strips of a United States one-hundred-dollar bill. The strips are spaced apart, revealing parts of the globe behind them, but are aligned to show the partial face of Benjamin Franklin and elements of the currency text and serial numbers.

    The End of Neoliberalism

    The virtues it extolled—cosmopolitanism and competition—led to its demise.

    Branko Milanovic
  • A studio shot of an artifact displayed on a black, textured stone pedestal against a solid red background. The artifact is a white porcelain vase with a cracked glaze texture and a large, serpentine blue dragon painted on its side. Geometric blue patterns decorate the rim and base of the vase. A large chunk is missing from the upper right side of the vessel, showing a broken edge. The front of the pedestal features a small white label that reads "EXHIBIT 4: Chinese Growth".
    A studio shot of an artifact displayed on a black, textured stone pedestal against a solid red background. The artifact is a white porcelain vase with a cracked glaze texture and a large, serpentine blue dragon painted on its side. Geometric blue patterns decorate the rim and base of the vase. A large chunk is missing from the upper right side of the vessel, showing a broken edge. The front of the pedestal features a small white label that reads "EXHIBIT 4: Chinese Growth".

    The End of Chinese Growth This article has an audio recording

    Beijing’s economic ambitions have been brought back to earth. This article has an audio recording

    James Palmer
  • Illustration of a globe sitting atop a marble pedestal with the words I heart Earth on the globe. On the pedestal the words Climate Politics are printed. The image is on a green background.
    Illustration of a globe sitting atop a marble pedestal with the words I heart Earth on the globe. On the pedestal the words Climate Politics are printed. The image is on a green background.

    The End of Climate Politics This article has an audio recording

    As the West debated a green energy future, Beijing was building it. This article has an audio recording

    Leah Aronowsky
  • A studio shot of an artifact displayed against a solid light-blue background. The artifact is a single, heavily torn page from a daily desk calendar, attached to a metal ring binding at the top. The top section of the paper is textured red, while the main body is off-white and features a large, slightly distressed black number "1" in the center. The edges of the paper are jagged and missing large pieces. To the lower left of the calendar page sits a small white block with a label that reads "EXHIBIT 5: The Future".
    A studio shot of an artifact displayed against a solid light-blue background. The artifact is a single, heavily torn page from a daily desk calendar, attached to a metal ring binding at the top. The top section of the paper is textured red, while the main body is off-white and features a large, slightly distressed black number "1" in the center. The edges of the paper are jagged and missing large pieces. To the lower left of the calendar page sits a small white block with a label that reads "EXHIBIT 5: The Future".

    The End of the Future This article has an audio recording

    Only Silicon Valley looks ahead now. This article has an audio recording

    Jonathan White
  • A museum-style glass display case sits against a solid orange background. Inside the case, on a white surface, are seven small, tattered fragments of fabric arranged in two rows. The fragments feature patterns from the United States flag (red and white stripes, and white stars on a blue field) and the Israeli flag (the blue Star of David and blue stripes on a white field). A small white label on the front left corner of the glass case reads "EXHIBIT I The U.S.-Israel Alliance".
    A museum-style glass display case sits against a solid orange background. Inside the case, on a white surface, are seven small, tattered fragments of fabric arranged in two rows. The fragments feature patterns from the United States flag (red and white stripes, and white stars on a blue field) and the Israeli flag (the blue Star of David and blue stripes on a white field). A small white label on the front left corner of the glass case reads "EXHIBIT I The U.S.-Israel Alliance".

    The End of the U.S.-Israel Alliance This article has an audio recording

    A joint war against Iran might be its apex. This article has an audio recording

    Joshua Leifer
  • An abstract artistic collage with a grainy, stippled texture, set against a solid beige background. The central rectangular piece features a dark grey, textured upper section that is torn horizontally across the middle, revealing a lighter background underneath. A simple white box shape sits at the bottom center. Scattered across the composition are several solid-colored circular cutouts—five in bright blue and six in bright red. Thin, black geometric lines form an abstract shape next to the right side of the white box.
    An abstract artistic collage with a grainy, stippled texture, set against a solid beige background. The central rectangular piece features a dark grey, textured upper section that is torn horizontally across the middle, revealing a lighter background underneath. A simple white box shape sits at the bottom center. Scattered across the composition are several solid-colored circular cutouts—five in bright blue and six in bright red. Thin, black geometric lines form an abstract shape next to the right side of the white box.

    The End of Political Parties This article has an audio recording

    They are hardly prepared for the new system. This article has an audio recording

    Anton Jäger

Arguments

  • An oil tanker unloads imported crude oil in Qingdao, China.
    An oil tanker unloads imported crude oil in Qingdao, China.

    China’s Malacca Dilemma, After Hormuz This article has an audio recording

    Western-dominated insurance premiums can choke off Beijing’s oil supplies more effectively than warships can. This article has an audio recording

    Chee Meng Tan
  • U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping react after posing for photos ahead of a bilateral meeting at Gimhae Air Base on October 30, 2025 in Busan, South Korea.
    U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping react after posing for photos ahead of a bilateral meeting at Gimhae Air Base on October 30, 2025 in Busan, South Korea.

    Chinese Hegemony Might Be Happening

    There were always reasons to doubt it was a real possibility—until now.

    Stephen M. Walt
  • Two dozen or so scattered pedestrians walking on a large plaza are seen from overhead. There is a giant world map embedded in the pavement, with China highlighted in a dark red and all the other countries in pale gray.
    Two dozen or so scattered pedestrians walking on a large plaza are seen from overhead. There is a giant world map embedded in the pavement, with China highlighted in a dark red and all the other countries in pale gray.

    No, China Doesn’t Want Spheres of Influence This article has an audio recording

    Such a view both overstates and understates the scope of Beijing’s ambitions. This article has an audio recording

    Aaron Glasserman
  • A man stands next to a poster showing humanoid robots at the International AI Application and Robotics Innovation Exhibition in Beijing on March 18.
    A man stands next to a poster showing humanoid robots at the International AI Application and Robotics Innovation Exhibition in Beijing on March 18.

    How China Is Winning the Global AI Race

    Cutting-edge U.S. models are too expensive for much of the world.

    Agathe Demarais
  • Incoming Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar waves the national flag during election night celebrations in Budapest on April 12.
    Incoming Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar waves the national flag during election night celebrations in Budapest on April 12.

    How to Rebuild Hungarian Democracy This article has an audio recording

    Peter Magyar must avoid reproducing the very abuses he seeks to dismantle. This article has an audio recording

    David Koranyi
  • Macron is seen from a slight distance over the heads of soldiers in combat fatigues standing in neat lines beneath a clear blue sky as they listen to him. Macron himself stands at a podium in a black suit and dark tie. French and EU flags fly behind him.
    Macron is seen from a slight distance over the heads of soldiers in combat fatigues standing in neat lines beneath a clear blue sky as they listen to him. Macron himself stands at a podium in a black suit and dark tie. French and EU flags fly behind him.

    Europe Shrugs Off Trump’s Latest Threats This article has an audio recording

    Facing U.S. troop withdrawal, the continent’s leaders feel less alarmed and better prepared. This article has an audio recording

    Rachel Rizzo
  • Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits a kite festival along with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Ahmedabad, India.
    Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits a kite festival along with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Ahmedabad, India.

    India’s Role in a Disordered World This article has an audio recording

    Diplomacy of the highest quality is more essential than ever. This article has an audio recording

    Shivshankar Menon
  • A sailor raises the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ensign on board the JS Ise, a Hyuga-class helicopter destroyer, as it docks at the international port in Manila, Philippines, on June 21, 2025.
    A sailor raises the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ensign on board the JS Ise, a Hyuga-class helicopter destroyer, as it docks at the international port in Manila, Philippines, on June 21, 2025.

    Japan and China Are Edging Dangerously Close to Conflict This article has an audio recording

    Beijing is ready to take risks as Tokyo backs Taiwan. This article has an audio recording

    Deng Yuwen
An illustration showing a pair of hands tightly wringing out an American flag. Water droplets shaped like missiles squeeze out of the twisted fabric and fall toward a puddle shaped like the map of Iran on a red background.
An illustration showing a pair of hands tightly wringing out an American flag. Water droplets shaped like missiles squeeze out of the twisted fabric and fall toward a puddle shaped like the map of Iran on a red background.

U.S. Power Is Wrung Out This article has an audio recording

The war in Iran has depleted the Pentagon as China’s military buildup matures. This article has an audio recording

Hal Brands

Review

An illustration shows three people in a small wooden boat on a turbulent sea, facing a massive whale that is partially transparent, revealing its skeleton. One person in the boat holds an oar, another holds a harpoon, and a third watches the whale with a hand on their head.
An illustration shows three people in a small wooden boat on a turbulent sea, facing a massive whale that is partially transparent, revealing its skeleton. One person in the boat holds an oar, another holds a harpoon, and a third watches the whale with a hand on their head.

Decolonizing ‘Moby-Dick’ This article has an audio recording

Literature’s obsessive quest for anti-canonical adaptations pursues the white whale at its peril. This article has an audio recording

Rhoda Feng
  • Mikhail Gorbachev, wearing a dark overcoat and patterned scarf, smiles as he tips his gray fedora toward Ronald Reagan. Reagan is seen from behind in the foreground, wearing a dark suit. The two leaders are standing on a light-colored gravel path next to a black car.
    Mikhail Gorbachev, wearing a dark overcoat and patterned scarf, smiles as he tips his gray fedora toward Ronald Reagan. Reagan is seen from behind in the foreground, wearing a dark suit. The two leaders are standing on a light-colored gravel path next to a black car.

    The Charisma Wars This article has an audio recording

    Why personality now trumps policy in global politics. This article has an audio recording

    Bobby Ghosh
  • A man in a pink shirt, holding a camera, smiles in front of a poster of Putin.
    A man in a pink shirt, holding a camera, smiles in front of a poster of Putin.

    In Putin’s Russia, Resistance Is Lonely This article has an audio recording

    This year’s Oscar winner for best documentary offers an intimate view of Russia’s descent into fascism. This article has an audio recording

    Christian Caryl
  • A map of Turkey in Asia with an orange line outlining imagined borders of the Ottoman Empire.
    A map of Turkey in Asia with an orange line outlining imagined borders of the Ottoman Empire.

    What if the Ottomans Survived? This article has an audio recording

    Recent scholarship shows the promise—and limits—of a historical path not taken. This article has an audio recording

    Nick Danforth
  • A vibrant illustration showing a hand dropping saffron threads onto a map of the Persian Gulf, where cargo ships sail. A purple crocus flower and bowls of saffron accent the orange and purple landscape.
    A vibrant illustration showing a hand dropping saffron threads onto a map of the Persian Gulf, where cargo ships sail. A purple crocus flower and bowls of saffron accent the orange and purple landscape.

    Saffron’s Last Gasp This article has an audio recording

    The Iran war is choking supply of the world’s most expensive spice. This article has an audio recording

    Kamran Yousuf

Recent Issues

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  • The print cover for the Spring 2026 issue of FP: The World After Trump.
    The print cover for the Spring 2026 issue of FP: The World After Trump.
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    Winter-2026-foreign-policy-cover-world-minus-one-small
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    The cover of the fall 2025 print issue of Foreign Policy magazine, showing a tattered flag with a globe on it on a stick.
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    The cover of Foreign Policy's Summer 2025 issue shows Donald Trump walking into a time portal of historical picture frames.
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    The Spring 2025 print cover of Foreign Policy magazine featuring the words Billionaire Rule.
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    The Winter 2025 FP magazine cover includes an illustration of Donald Trump holding segments of a broken rollercoaster as cars go through a loop above his head. A headline says: Trump World.
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    The cover of the Fall 2024 print issue of Foreign Policy magazine.
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    The cover of Foreign Policy's fall 2023 print magazine shows a jack made up of joined hands lifting up the world. Cover text reads: The Alliances That Matter Now: Multilateralism is at a dead end, but powerful blocs are getting things done."
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    A Foreign Policy magazine cover illustration shows a glowing AI projection figure emerging from a pile of technological machinery and semiconductors. The on-image text reads: The Scramble for AI. Paul Scharre, Stanley McChrystal, Alondra Nelson, and more thinkers on the dawn of a new age in geopolitics. Erik Carter illustration for Foreign Policy
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    Spring 2023 Foreign Policy magazine cover
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    Fall 2022 Foreign Policy magazine cover. Illustration by Vasava for Foreign Policy
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    Daniel Brokstad illustration for Foreign Policy
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    trumps-world-foreign-policy-cover-fall-2019-sebastien-thibault
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    Delcan & Company illustration for Foreign Policy
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