Required reading for Macron and Starmer in Washington
Pundits often describe U.S. President Donald Trump’s transactional style as an attribute that might terrify other global stakeholders. But that’s not necessarily so, FP editor in chief Ravi Agrawal wrote in our Winter issue. “Countries and companies will also sniff out opportunities,” Agrawal predicted—while acknowledging that, yes, “states that have come to rely on U.S.-backed alliances will certainly need to recalibrate.”
French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer may need to do more than recalibrate, depending on how their trips to Washington go this week. U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance’s Munich Security Conference speech this month was the “opening salvo in a trans-Atlantic divorce proceeding” to some European officials, according to foreign-policy analyst Richard Fontaine. The events that followed made increasingly apparent that Trump seeks a deal in the Russia-Ukraine war largely on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s terms.
This strategic retrenchment doesn’t just affect Europe. Now that the world’s most powerful leader and the world’s richest man are aligning the world’s greatest superpower with Europe’s greatest enemy, as Nathalie Tocci puts it in a roundup of expert reactions on the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, other world leaders will need to pay close attention, too.
In particular, key U.S. allies in the Asia-Pacific have been left “terribly embarrassed,” FP columnist C. Raja Mohan writes in our roundup. Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea “believed the Biden administration’s rhetoric on a rules-based international order and stepped up on Ukraine,” he writes. Now, they might be asked to deal with the China challenge—which former President Joe Biden played up—alone.
In negotiating with the United States, allies and foes alike would do well to read FP columnist Michael Hirsh’s deep dive, “The Enduring Mystery of Trump’s Relationship with Russia.” Amid a global recalibration of alliances led by a deal-obsessed U.S. president, one bond seems to stay strong.—Amelia Lester, deputy editor
On Our Radar
FP Live
The End of Human Rights?
Feb. 27 | 11 a.m. EST
Are human rights at a modern low point? One can certainly make that case, with conflict on multiple continents, refugee crises, and the surge in authoritarianism. Kenneth Roth was the executive director of Human Rights Watch for nearly 30 years. Roth will sit down with FP’s Ravi Agrawal to put in context the state of human rights today and how to achieve better outcomes. Register now and join FP to submit your questions ahead of the conversation.
FP Live at the Munich Security Conference: Finland’s President
On Demand
At the Munich Security Conference, Finnish President Alexander Stubb sat down with FP’s Ravi Agrawal. The two discussed trade tensions with the Trump White House, the rise of the far right across Europe, and the fate of Ukraine. Watch for free for a limited time.
Insider Access: A Debrief on the Munich Security Conference
On Demand
Every year, spy chiefs and world leaders arrive in Munich for a summit to discuss the biggest defense and national security issues on their minds. Tune in for a debrief on Munich and the early weeks of the Trump presidency. This special call is part of the newly launched Insider Access, an offshoot of FP Live only available for FP Insiders.
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Exercise Your Mind
In which African city did G-20 foreign ministers gather for meetings on Thursday and Friday?
A. Johannesburg, South Africa
B. Lagos, Nigeria
C. Accra, Ghana
D. Nairobi, Kenya
Find the answer to this question at the end of this email. How well did you keep up with the news last week? Take FP’s international news quiz.
Black History Month
From Around FP:?
Her Power: At?the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, Foreign Policy will host Her Power, bringing together an exclusive group of policymakers, innovators, and business leaders at a pivotal moment—the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and 25th anniversary of the Women, Peace and Security agenda. This high-level gathering will foster solutions-oriented discussions on advancing women’s representation and leadership across the global economic and security landscape. Learn more.
Blueprints for Better Health Outcomes: At the 2025 World Economic Forum, FP Events convened global experts to discuss the policy planning, coordination, and investment priorities needed to unlock more equitable, wide-reaching access to effective cancer care. Explore their insights in FP Analytics’ new synthesis report, produced with financial support from Pfizer.
Catch up on Ones and Tooze: In the latest episode, Adam and Cameron look at Trump’s proposed deal to Ukraine and the German elections. Listen to the latest episode now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Answer: A. Conspicuously absent was U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who skipped the summit following weeks of tensions between Washington and Pretoria, FP’s Alexandra Sharp reports.?