the US Council on Foreign Relations

Only one in 10 Europeans now see US as an ally, survey suggests

Exclusive: poll across 15 countries finds ‘deep mistrust’, with majority doubting US would come to their aid in an attackEuropean confidence in an American “security guarantee” has hit a historic low, a survey suggests, with only one in 10 people across 15 countries seeing the US as an ally and majorities in all doubting it would come to their aid if they were attacked. The survey, published on Wednesday by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) thinktank before critical G7 and...

Only one in 10 Europeans now see US as an ally, survey suggests

Exclusive: poll across 15 countries finds ‘deep mistrust’, with majority doubting US would come to their aid in an attackEuropean confidence in an American “security guarantee” has hit a historic low, a survey suggests, with only one in 10 people across 15 countries seeing the US as an ally and majorities in all doubting it would come to their aid if they were attacked. The survey, published on Wednesday by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) thinktank before critical G7 and...

Increase defence spending to counter China? Why US’ call is ‘difficult to sell’ in Southeast Asia

analysis Asia Increase defence spending to counter China? Why US’ call is ‘difficult to sell’ in Southeast Asia Washington’s call for Asian allies to spend 3.5 per cent of GDP on defence is untenable given competing needs in infrastructure, healthcare and education, analysts say. KUALA LUMPUR: It is "completely unrealistic" for Southeast Asian countries to heed the United States' call of boosting defence spending to counter China's growing power, analysts say, as the region prioritises...

North Korea needs China for survival: Why does Beijing need Pyongyang?

North Korea needs China for survival: Why does Beijing need Pyongyang? Chinese President Xi Jinping visits North Korea as Beijing aims to boost ties amid Pyongyang’s growing relations with Russia. China’s President Xi Jinping has arrived in Pyongyang on his first overseas trip this year as he aims to boost ties with North Korea, a reclusive nuclear-armed nation opposed to US military expansion in the Asia Pacific region.

Jeff Bartos says UN reform is no longer an 'oxymoron' after $570M in cuts

UNITED NATIONS — When Jeff Bartos appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in 2025 for his confirmation hearing, he was warned that the job he was seeking might not exist. The Pennsylvania businessman, former political candidate and endurance athlete had been nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as U.S. ambassador for United Nations Management and Reform — a title that has long sounded aspirational in a building famous for bureaucracy. During his confirmation hearing,...

Grim mood in Berlin after Germany loses Security Council bid

Grim mood in Berlin after Germany loses Security Council bid June 4, 2026German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul accepted the result with a solemn expression: The UN General Assembly had just elected Portugal and Austria as non-permanent members of the Security Council for 2027 and 2028 — not Germany. Wednesday's decision in New York was the most severe foreign policy defeat yet for the coalition government made up of the center-right Christian Democrats/Christian Social Union(CDU/CSU) and...

Uncle Sam considers buying a seat on the Titanic

The US government is reportedly weighing whether to take a financial stake in AI companies, which looks a bit like negotiating for a seat on the Titanic. Neither OpenAI nor Anthropic, the marquee brands in US AI, are profitable yet. While Anthropic may be nearer to that point if its accounting survives scrutiny, OpenAI's $1.4 trillion in financial commitments over the next eight years have been interpreted as a red flag for investors.

European sentiments towards the US hit an all-time low

Germany's Iran war lessons after 100 days

Germany's Iran war lessons after 100 days June 5, 2026German Chancellor Friedrich Merz initially appeared taken aback by the US and Israel's attack on Iran on February 28. The first strikes killed key figures in the Iranian leadership, including the spiritual leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as well as numerous civilians. No prominent legal scholar has since claimed that these attacks are covered by international law, nor has any member of the German federal government.

100 days of Iran war: Gulf states grapple with security and economic consequences

Iran war at 100 days: Gulf states grapple with stability June 4, 2026For the regional Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states — Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) — the consequences of the US-Israeli conflict with Iran extend far beyond immediate military threat. Since February 28, when the US and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran, and despite a nominal ceasefire, the GCC countries, have been performing a difficult balancing act. Key...