‘He talks too much’: how Trump’s erratic commentary is the real block to an Iran deal

US president’s contradictory statements only make Tehran more wary of anything but the most watertight deal…

 https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/21/trump-one-man-whatsapp-group-diplomacy-derailing-peace-talks

 

Diplomatic cables show Iran war is damaging US on multiple fronts across the world - POLITICO

The documents show the fallout for the US in Bahrain, Indonesia and Azerbaijan as it struggles to catch up with pro-Iran messaging...

 https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/17/embassy-cables-detail-how-iran-war-is-hurting-the-us-abroad-00877205

Pope Leo decries military force, ‘ambitions of belligerents’ in Vatican speech - POLITICO

"The principle established after the Second World War, which prohibited nations from using force to violate the borders of others, has been completely undermined," he said, lamenting the "devastating effects of war."…

https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/09/pope-leo-diplomacy-war-00719217 

 

Trump’s Russia Policies: Return to Normalcy or Defeat for America? (John Donvan; Open to Debate podcast)

As he did in this first presidential term, President Trump has continued to signal closer alignment with Vladimir Putin. This included a tense February Oval Office meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, where he claimed Ukraine was responsible for the war. The U.S. also joined Russia in voting against a UN resolution condemning Russia’s action in Ukraine and Vice President Vance has called for a re-evaluation of the U.S.'s relationship with NATO. 

Could these actions, and others, help chart a return to a state of improved U.S.-Russia diplomatic relations or lead America toward defeat in the region and beyond? 

Those who argue that Trump’s actions signal a return to normalcy say that European security should be Europe’s responsibility, which could lead to a stronger, more self-sufficient NATO, and that recent years of antagonism have failed to alter Russian behavior. 

The Trump administration could help bring U.S.-Russia relations into constructive focus at a high-stakes moment. However, those who declare this a defeat for America argue that Trump warming up to Putin will only encourage Russian aggression, hurt Ukraine, and erode our allies’ trust.

With this background, we debate Trump’s Russia Policies: Return to Normalcy or Defeat for America?

Arguing "Defeat for America":

• Bill Browder, Head of the Global Magnitsky Justice Campaign 
• Alina Polyakova, President and CEO of the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA) 

Arguing "Return to Normalcy": 

• Jeffrey Sachs, Economist, Public Policy Analyst, and Professor at Columbia University Thomas Graham, Distinguished Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations; Co-founder of Yale University’s Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies Program 
• Emmy award-winning journalist John Donvan moderates 

Interview: 

https://youtu.be/oYcWyYndKSI?si=xrcqpdyYM4EQpCKb

The Scary Truth About the Trump-Zelensky Press Conference (Bradley Onishi and Daniel Miller; Straight White American Jesus podcast)

In this bonus episode of ‘Straight White American Jesus,’ hosts Brad Onishi and his cohost delve into a critical analysis of a tumultuous press conference between President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky. 

They explore how the event sheds light on Trump’s worldview and his approach to foreign policy, characterized by dominance and transactional relationships, a stark departure from traditional American exceptionalism. 

They discuss the implications of Trump’s tactics, contrasting his approach with historical U.S. policy and the symbolic significance of Zelensky’s stance. 

The episode also features listener questions and a humorous story from Dan.

Interview: 

https://www.straightwhiteamericanjesus.com/episodes/bonus-episode-the-scary-truth-about-the-trump-zelensky-press-conference/

US plans to close European consulates and cut state department workforce | US foreign policy | The Guardian

Critics say the potential cuts in the US diplomatic footprint coupled with the dismantling of the US Agency for International Development (USAid) that provided billions of dollars worth of aid globally risk undermining American leadership and leaves a dangerous vacuum for adversaries like China and Russia to fill...

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/06/us-european-consulates-state-department

Biden launches ‘China House’ to counter Beijing’s growing clout - POLITICO

State deems the new section essential to avoiding blind spots in the U.S.-China relationship...

https://www.politico.com/news/2022/12/16/biden-china-house-beijing-00074262

Tone of Ukraine Crisis Shifts as Russia Signals Openness to Talk More - The New York Times

Diplomacy is "far from exhausted," Russia's foreign minister said, while President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine said the prospect of his country joining NATO might be just a "dream."…

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/14/world/europe/ukraine-russia-putin-zelensky-scholz-nato.html

China 101 (Pod Save the World podcast)

Tommy and Ben are joined by Asia policy expert Danny Russel for a special episode that is entirely focused on China. They discuss Chinese President Xi Jinping’s background and worldview, Wolf Warrior diplomacy, China’s human rights record and suppression of the Uyghurs, and the fear that war between the US and China is inevitable and could start over Taiwan.

Interview: 

https://www.podbean.com/ew/dir-chqiz-11e4ab6c

Chocolate chip diplomacy: Biden courts Congress with gusto - ABC News

"It was the day that you will remember, not so much because you were in the Oval Office, but because of the attention the president gave to us — the personal attention, the commitment, the authenticity and the seriousness of caring about people, and especially people who have been marginalized," said Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio, the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus...

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/chocolate-chip-diplomacy-biden-courts-congress-gusto-77283438

Religious leaders warn against Pompeo's push for religious freedom as priority human right | TheHill

Religious leaders warn against Pompeo's push for religious freedom as priority human right © UPI Photo More than 30 faith leaders on Monday issued a warning against Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s new push to put property rights and religious freedom at the forefront of American diplomacy.
https://thehill.com/policy/international/508199-religious-leaders-warn-against-pompeos-push-for-a-hierarchy-of-human

US's global reputation hits rock-bottom over Trump's coronavirus response

Donald Trump’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, which he once dismissed as a hoax, has been fiercely criticised at home as woefully inadequate to the point of irresponsibility. Yet also thanks largely to Trump, a parallel disaster is unfolding across the world: the ruination of America’s reputation as a safe, trustworthy, competent international leader and partner. Call it the Trump double-whammy. Diplomatically speaking, the US is on life support. ....
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/apr/12/us-global-reputation-rock-bottom-donald-trump-coronavirus

A State Department Sidelined By Personal Politics (Diane Rehm, On My Mind)

Ever since President Trump took office, veteran diplomats have voiced concerns about a hollowing out of traditional U.S. diplomacy. The impeachment inquiry is now revealing just how far has gone.

William Burns is president of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Before that he worked in the diplomatic corps for more than three decades, serving under five different presidents. His tenure took him from ambassador to Russia to Deputy Secretary of State. And he says he’s never been more concerned about the future of the State Department than he is today.
https://dianerehm.org/shows/2019-10-25/a-picture-of-a-state-department-sidelined-by-personal-politics

“He Has Made Us a Laughing Stock”: Diplomats Stunned by Trump’s Feud With Denmark - Vanity Fair

"Sometimes it is hard to believe that what Trump is saying and doing on the world stage is actually happening," said the former ambassador to NATO. "This is one of those days."....
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2019/08/diplomats-stunned-by-trumps-feud-with-denmark

Obama, others warned Trump that pulling out of Iran nuke deal could lead to war - NBC News

"The choice we face is ultimately between diplomacy or some form of war," then-President Barack Obama said in 2015.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/obama-others-warned-trump-pulling-out-iran-nuke-deal-could-n1020461

“Donald Trump, Diplomat.” | Pod Save America recording stream

Trump spends the weekend picking fights with our biggest trading partner (Mexico) and our closest ally (the U.K.), the mass shooting in Virginia Beach puts gun control proposals back in the spotlight, and the Democratic candidates for president descend on California to make their case.

1:35 Tariffs on Mexico
13:12 Trump visit to UK
22:03 Virginia Beach shooting
27:31 2020 Democratic primary
Interview:
https://youtu.be/_Xz4WEb4Atw

A Kingdom United against Trump | Pod Save The World

Tommy and Ben Rhodes are joined by former Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Danny Russel. They discuss Trump’s trip to the UK, what Bibi Netanyahu’s failure to form a government means for his political future, Jared Kushner’s disastrous interview with Axios and more.

Check out the full episode, "A Kingdom United against Trump" out now: http://go.crooked.com/SczPvJ
Interview:
https://youtu.be/lWxBO6byGkw

Pompeo gets blasted at House hearing: Trump's budget is 'embarrassing' and you are 'abortion obsessed' - Raw Story

Democrats and Republicans in the U.S. Congress rejected President Donald Trump's proposed cuts to diplomacy and foreign aid budgets as dangerous to national security on Wednesday, setting the stage for a budget battle with the White House...
https://www.rawstory.com/2019/03/pompeo-gets-blasted-house-hearing-trumps-budget-embarrassing-abortion-obsessed/

Add 'Floating Guantanamos' to the List of U.S. Crimes Abroad - Truthdig

The confusing messages we send overseas are a reflection of the conflicting images embedded in Washington's latest version of diplomacy. ....
https://www.truthdig.com/articles/the-crimes-the-u-s-commits-on-the-high-seas/

Bolton’s Hawkish Syria Plan Backfired, Pushing Trump to Get Out - The Daily Beast

The national security adviser expanded U.S. goals in Syria to challenge Iran. But Trump wasn't on board, senior officials say, and Turkey took an opportunity to push the U.S. out. ....
https://www.thedailybeast.com/boltons-hawkish-syria-plan-backfired-pushing-trump-to-get-out