2026 US Foreign Policy and the High Stakes of Great Power Competition

They've shaken hands, but their fists remain clenched. Throughout 2025, global leaders were consumed by Middle Eastern conflicts. Most notably, Israel and the United States bombed Iran's nuclear sites, sparking fears of being pulled back into 'forever wars'. Despite pledges to reduce engagement, the humanitarian disaster in Gaza and regional instability have kept Washington tethered to the region. However, the real challenge lies elsewhere.

2026 US Foreign Policy: Facing China and Russia

The three-decade honeymoon of great power politics is over. As we enter 2026, the primary threat to the global order comes not from the Middle East, but from the autocratic axis of China and Russia. While some call it a 'New Cold War,' the reality is more nuanced due to deep economic interdependence and the rise of mid-level powers like India and Brazil who refuse to take sides.

A Vacuum of Grand Strategy

Under the Trump administration, a clear grand strategy remains elusive. Critical instruments of influence—such as USAID and Voice of America—have been weakened. Furthermore, threats against democratic allies like Canada are straining the very coalitions needed to contain revisionist powers. President Trump's focus on economic deals with Xi Jinping contrasts with his advisors' warnings of an existential ideological threat.