Joseph Nye, Political Scientist Who Extolled ‘Soft Power,’ Dies at 88
He coined the term, arguing that a country’s global influence can’t be built on military might alone. Diplomats around the world paid heed.
Foreign Aid
Marco Rubio, Secretary of Everything
The former senator from Florida is now the head of four government bodies. He has outdone Henry Kissinger and even Xi Jinping, China’s leader, who has only three titles.
U.S. Aid Cutbacks Hurt Efforts to Repatriate Former Islamic State Residents
Cuts to American aid have compromised efforts to repatriate people at desert camps in Syria and Iraq for former Islamic State members and their families, according to a report to Congress.
Trump Ties Himself to Future of Ukraine With Minerals Deal
The text of the agreement, made public by Ukraine’s government, made no mention of the security guarantees that Kyiv had long sought.
U.S. and Ukraine Sign Minerals Deal
The Trump administration did not immediately provide details about the agreement, and it was not clear what it meant for the future of U.S. military support for Ukraine.
Senator Denounces Musk’s Cuts: ‘Not What Anybody Signed Up For’
Mark Kelly of Arizona, a Democrat and former astronaut who previously consulted for SpaceX, discusses Elon Musk, DOGE and President Trump.
How the U.S. Naval Academy Is Bending the Knee to Trump
Even before the presidential election, the school began preparing for Donald Trump’s potential return to power. Now faculty members are resigning in protest.
Trump Administration Memo Proposes Cutting State Department Funding by Nearly Half
The draft plan is part of a process involving the agency and the White House. It would eliminate almost all funding for international organizations that include the United Nations and NATO.
Pete Marocco, Who Helped Gut Foreign Aid for Trump, Leaves State Department
Pete Marocco oversaw the cutting of thousands of contracts at U.S.A.I.D. and the firing of most of its roughly 10,000 workers. Aid agency employees have accused him of mismanagement.
Hegseth Attends Ukraine Defense Group Only Virtually
Pete Hegseth’s predecessor as defense secretary, Lloyd J. Austin III, started the roughly 50-nation group to support Kyiv after Russia invaded in 2022, but he has given up leadership.