Foreign policy

Polyethylene bags are used to protect bananas from pests and blight on a plantation in Costa Rica.

The shadow of the United Fruit Company still reaches across the globe today

About a hundred years ago, the Boston-based banana company, United Fruit, reigned supreme in Central America. It didn’t just own banana plantations, but also railroads and telephone lines. The company even dictated national policies and overthrew governments. For his podcast “Under the Shadow,” about US involvement in Central America, Michael Fox traveled to Guatemala, where he looked at the legacy of United Fruit and its impact on the global fruit industry today.

The shadow of the United Fruit Company still reaches across the globe today
Secretary Blinken and the US ambassador to Jamaica shake hands

'Frank, difficult conversations': State Department Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel speaks on Haiti, Gaza

'Frank, difficult conversations': State Department Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel speaks on Haiti, Gaza
Undersecretary of State Victoria Nuland speaking at a Senate Committee hearing

What options does the US have following Navalny's death?

What options does the US have following Navalny's death?
Palestinians displaced by the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip are seen in tents in town of Khan Younis, Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023.

LISTEN: Voices from across the globe as the Israel-Hamas war continues to unfold

LISTEN: Voices from across the globe as the Israel-Hamas war continues to unfold
Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger is interviewed by Neil Cavuto.

Henry Kissinger leaves lasting — and controversial — foreign policy legacy

Henry Kissinger leaves lasting — and controversial — foreign policy legacy
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, shake hands with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, in Amman, Jordan, Oct. 13, 2023.

The Palestinian political system needs to be rebuilt on ‘national consensus,’ says political activist

The Palestinian Authority (PA) in the West Bank is, which is the larger of the two Palestinian territories, is backed by the international community and the US. But the PA has lost much of its sway in Gaza. To explore where the PA and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas fit into the larger picture, The World's host Marco Werman speaks with Nour Odeh, a Palestinian political activist, researcher and author based in Ramallah.

The Palestinian political system needs to be rebuilt on ‘national consensus,’ says political activist
people amid explosion

A timeline of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

The Middle East has seen decades of unrest, much of it stemming from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The current Israel-Hamas war is the latest outbreak of violence that threatens lasting peace across the region and the globe. The World has compiled a timeline of key events in the conflict.

A timeline of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Left to right: Streets are flooded in Kherson, Ukraine, Wednesday, June 7, 2023 after the walls of the Kakhovka dam collapsed; Screen shot form video; Vehicles on fire at an oil depot after missiles struck the facility in an area controlled by Russian-bac

VIDEO: The environmental impact of the war in Ukraine

Damages to the environment are widespread and will continue to impact Ukrainians for decades to come.

VIDEO: The environmental impact of the war in Ukraine
three diplomats shake hands in front of an embassy building

‘Open lines of communication’ are crucial to improving relations with Beijing, Amb Nicholas Burns says

US Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns was in the room this week when Secretary of State Antony Blinken sat down with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Amb. Burns spoke with The World’s Marco Werman about Taiwan, Ukraine and why US and Chinese military leaders have stopped talking to one another.

‘Open lines of communication’ are crucial to improving relations with Beijing, Amb Nicholas Burns says
Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani attends the "Invest Karnataka 2016 Global Investors Meet" in Bangalore, India, Feb. 3, 2016. 

Indian billionaire businessman Gautam Adani faces scrutiny

Indian businessman Gautam Adani is one of the world's wealthiest people. Now, his methods for acquiring the enormous wealth and close ties to Prime Minister Narendra Modi are being investigated by India's Supreme Court.

Indian billionaire businessman Gautam Adani faces scrutiny
Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva attends a military promotion ceremony, in Brasilia, Brazil, Tuesday, April 4, 2023. 

Where does Brazil stand with the war in Ukraine?

Over the last week, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva courted controversy with his remarks on the conflict in Ukraine, causing tensions between Brazil and the US. 

Where does Brazil stand with the war in Ukraine?
US paratroopers parachute at the Yavoriv training range in the western Lviv region, Ukraine, on Monday, July 17, 2000.

Winning the peace

Critical State, a foreign policy newsletter by Inkstick Media, takes a deep dive this week into the history of Ukraine's fight for independence — through peacekeeping.

Winning the peace
A student shows a piece of ceramic in the archaeological excavation near Salbitz, central Germany, on Friday, April 8, 2011.

States at dawn: Part I

Critical State, a foreign policy newsletter by Inkstick Media, takes a deep dive this week into the pre-history of international relations.

States at dawn: Part I
Former Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou waves as Ma leaves for China, at Taoyuan International Airport in Taoyuan City, northern Taiwan, Monday, March 27, 2023.

Former Taiwanese president makes historic visit to China

As the former president heads to China, Taiwan's current president, Tsai Ing-Wen, is heading to the Americas this week. The diplomatic trips come as voters prepare for this year’s presidential campaigns. 

Former Taiwanese president makes historic visit to China
Young men chat near Al-Mutanabbi street in Baghdad, Iraq, Friday, Feb. 24, 2023.

Young Iraqis reflect on the US-led invasion, its aftermath and their hopes for the future

Monday marks 20 years since the start of “Operation Iraqi Freedom," the US-led invasion of Iraq that toppled the president, Saddam Hussein, and aimed to spread democracy in the country. Two decades later, Iraqis who've lived through these turbulent and violent years share their thoughts about the war's impact on their lives, about how they view the US now and about their hopes and concerns for the future of Iraq.

Young Iraqis reflect on the US-led invasion, its aftermath and their hopes for the future