John Haltiwanger

Operation Epic Confusion Trump’s goals in Iran are expansive, shifting, and potentially impossible.

Trump’s goals in Iran are expansive, shifting, and potentially impossible.

More on that in the latest SitRep from me and @iyengarish.bsky.social: foreignpolicy.com/2026/03/05/t...

“The Iranian navy rests at the bottom of the Persian Gulf," Hegseth said. "Decimated, destroyed, defeated.”

Later, Caine said that the U.S. has "effectively neutralized" Iran's navy, but also said that "CENTCOM will continue to strike infrastructure and naval capability."

A bit of a theme is emerging in Pentagon briefings re: Iran. Hegseth makes sweeping statements. Then Caine offers more measured assessments. Hegseth today said Iran's navy is "no more." Then Caine made it clear that the effort to destroy the navy is ongoing. A notable disconnect.

The Trump Administration’s Iran War Justifications Keep Changing The U.S. president and his officials can’t get their story straight.

The U.S. president and his officials can’t get their story straight. foreignpolicy.com/2026/03/03/t...

Pentagon Says Iran War Is ‘Not Iraq,’ but Won’t Rule Out Boots on the Ground “This is not a so-called regime change war,” Hegseth said.

“This is not a so-called regime change war,” Hegseth said. foreignpolicy.com/2026/03/02/p...

Trump Addresses First U.S. Deaths in Iran War, Possibility of Talks The U.S. president said Tehran’s leaders want to talk even as they vowed revenge.

The U.S. president said Tehran’s leaders want to talk even as they vowed revenge. foreignpolicy.com/2026/03/01/u...

First U.S. Casualties Confirmed in Iran War The announcement comes as the war continues into its second day.

The announcement comes as the war continues into its second day. foreignpolicy.com/2026/03/01/u...

Trump Says Iranian Supreme Leader Is Dead Iran has not confirmed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s death.

From me and @iyengarish.bsky.social: Trump Says Iranian Supreme Leader Is Dead foreignpolicy.com/2026/02/28/t...

The Pentagon and Anthropic’s High-Stakes Game of Chicken The U.S. military wants unrestricted use of the AI company’s language models.

I wrote about the broader fight that led to that statement in today's @foreignpolicy.com Situation Report foreignpolicy.com/2026/02/26/p... via @jchaltiwanger.bsky.social

U.S., Israel Begin ‘Major Combat Operations’ in Iran “They’ve rejected every opportunity to renounce their nuclear ambitions, and we can’t take it anymore,” Trump said.

U.S., Israel Begin ‘Major Combat Operations’ in Iran 🎧

foreignpolicy.com/2026/02/28/u... w @jennruth.bsky.social @jchaltiwanger.bsky.social via @foreignpolicy.com

Will Trump’s Luck Run Out if He Attacks Iran Again? Four former generals break down the risks of a U.S. attack.

Former U.S. military leaders expressed concerns about the risks for U.S. forces and allies in the region if Trump gives the go-ahead for strikes, reports FP’s @jchaltiwanger.bsky.social.

Rep. Al Green was holding a sign that reads "Black People Aren't Apes" at the State of the Union:

Rep. Al Green was holding a sign that reads "Black People Aren't Apes" at the #SOTU:

Will Trump’s Luck Run Out if He Attacks Iran Again? Four former generals break down the risks of a U.S. attack.

Trump has tried to throw cold water on reports of Gen. Dan Caine's warnings about military action against Iran. I spoke with four former U.S. military leaders who also expressed concerns about the potential risks. foreignpolicy.com/2026/02/24/t...

Will Trump Go to War With Iran? The scale of the U.S. military buildup signals that strikes are likely.

New SitRep from me and @iyengarish.bsky.social: foreignpolicy.com/2026/02/19/t...

‘An Existential Question for Europe’ The Munich Security Conference ends with no new answers on how to end the war in Ukraine.

Final dispatch from MSC 2026 from myself and @iyengarish.bsky.social foreignpolicy.com/2026/02/15/m...

Russia ‘Not Serious’ About Peace Deal, Lindsey Graham Says The Republican senator’s comments contradict U.S. President Donald Trump’s position on Russia.

The Republican senator’s comments contradict U.S. President Donald Trump’s position on Russia. foreignpolicy.com/2026/02/14/r...

In Munich, I asked NATO chief Mark Rutte about the disconnect between Washington and Europe re: Ukraine peace negotiations. He insisted there is no such disconnect. "I think we’re on the same page," he said.

Read more here:

Rubio’s ‘Reassuring’ Relationship Repair The chief U.S. diplomat put a friendlier spin on the Trump administration’s stern message to Europe.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio marked Valentine’s Day by trying to kiss and make up with Europe, FP’s @iyengarish.bsky.social and @jchaltiwanger.bsky.social write. foreignpolicy.com/2026/02/14/r...

The scars of *that* Munich Security Conference speech by J.D. Vance--exactly a year ago--still run deep.

Spotted this just outside the venue.

More on where Europe stands now in @foreignpolicy.com's latest Situation Report with @jchaltiwanger.bsky.social

foreignpolicy.com/2026/02/13/m...

From the worldnews community on Reddit: We cover security, defense, and technology at Foreign Policy magazine. Ask us anything ahead of this week’s Munich Security Conference. Explore this post and more from the worldnews community

FP’s @iyengarish.bsky.social and @jchaltiwanger.bsky.social cover defense, diplomacy, and technology for Foreign Policy. They will be answering your questions over on Reddit today ahead of the Munich Security Conference this weekend. Join the AMA here: www.reddit.com/r/worldnews/...

EU Don’t Need U.S.? Munich readies itself for a European defense renaissance.

Heading into the Munich Security Conference this week, European self-sufficiency is clearly at the top of the agenda.

FP’s @iyengarish.bsky.social and @jchaltiwanger.bsky.social will be reporting live from Munich all weekend—sign up here to receive SitRep in your inbox each day:

At a moment when journalism is more important than ever, the Washington Post's management has chosen to prioritize profit over holding the powerful accountable.

It is shameful that the billionaire owner of such a storied publication has hollowed out its newsroom as U.S. democracy faces historic challenges and the world confronts several major crises.

The Foreign Policy Union stands in solidarity with the Washington Post journalists who were affected by mass layoffs this week. 1/3

Trump is increasingly relying on white-supremacist ploys to fire up his base as he panics over his reelection chances President Donald Trump has repeatedly echoed the deceptions of white supremacists, which may be part of a strategy to exploit fear and prejudice.

The racism is out in the open.

Trump and people close to him have been building towards open racism for years, as colleagues like @jchaltiwanger.bsky.social have written: www.businessinsider.com/trump-turnin...

Donate to Washington Post 2026 layoff fund, organized by Rachel Siegel On Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, The Washington Post laid off hundreds of journalists. We ar… Rachel Siegel needs your support for Washington Post 2026 layoff fund

A GoFundMe for Washington Post journalists has already raised $73,000 www.gofundme.com/f/standing-t...

Solidarity with all of the hardworking WaPo journalists who lost their jobs today. As a reporter who has been laid off multiple times, I've been in your shoes before and I know how much it sucks. We are all worse off because of this. A sad day for media/democracy/the U.S.

What Is—and Isn’t—in Trump’s New National Defense Strategy The Pentagon quietly released the major policy document.

"They have a plan for Taiwan; Trump’s behavior would not speed up or speed down their plan."

I met Taiwanese legislator Kuan-ting Chen of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party in Taipei and asked him about Trump, China, and more.

foreignpolicy.com/2026/01/29/t... w @jchaltiwanger.bsky.social

What Is—and Isn’t—in Trump’s New National Defense Strategy The Pentagon quietly released the major policy document.

In this week's edition of Situation Report, @iyengarish.bsky.social and I dive into Trump's new National Defense Strategy and more: foreignpolicy.com/2026/01/29/t...

What’s Next for the U.S. Military in Latin America? “All the evidence points to a permanent U.S. military presence,” one expert said.

A lot has happened in the U.S. and the world since the Jan. 3 raid that resulted in Maduro's capture. But the U.S. has not moved on from Latin America by any means. I dive into what could happen next in my latest: foreignpolicy.com/2026/01/29/u...