Strategic Swagger: After years of warning that the Europe needs “strategic autonomy,” French President Emmanuel Macron has won the argument abroad—and lost his public at home. Here, Macron during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, January 20, 2026.

Foreign Policy

The French Rejection

by Gillen Tener Martin May 26, 2026May 27, 2026

Why Emmanuel Macron can’t convince his voters to rearm.

Iran War: A US Air Force transport plane takes off from the US airbase in Ramstein. Numerous defense ministers and high-ranking military officers are once again discussing further support for Ukraine in the war against Russia on Tuesday at the US airbase in Ramstein.

Foreign Policy

The U.S.-Europe Rift: How Trump’s Iran War is Making it Worse

by Tamar Jacoby April 17, 2026April 17, 2026

Greenland Gambit: As Donald Trump threatens to seize Danish territory, Europe’s long-deferred reckoning with American power is finally arriving. European Commissioner for Defense and Space Andrius Kubilius (left) is welcomed by Poland's Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz (right) before talks in Warsaw, Poland, on September 29, 2025.

Foreign Policy

As Trump’s Greenland Threat Grows, Europe Begins to Find Its Voice

by Tamar Jacoby January 19, 2026January 19, 2026

Can Europe Protect Ukraine? From left, Britain's Defense Secretary John Healey, Ukraine's Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal and Germany's Defense Minister Boris Pistorius address a media conference at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025.

Russia’s War on Ukraine

Can Europe Turn Tough Talk on Russia into Action?

by Tamar Jacoby October 23, 2025October 22, 2025

Europeans put on smiles at NATO summit to keep Donald Trump happy and in the alliance.

Russia’s War on Ukraine

At NATO Summit, Allies Avoid Tensions with Trump

by Tamar Jacoby June 25, 2025June 25, 2025

Politics

“A New Model of Democracy”

by Gall Sigler February 9, 2023February 9, 2023

Featured, Political Animal, Politics

The French Sub Deal: A Mercedes With a Fiat Engine at a Rolls-Royce Price

by Mike Lofgren September 28, 2021January 12, 2022

Featured, Politics

The Cost of Freedom

by Markos Kounalakis November 7, 2020January 9, 2022

Political Animal

Trump Is Humiliated in Europe Again

by Martin Longman December 4, 2019January 9, 2022

Main, Political Animal

Trump Will Catastrophically Pull Out of Iran Nuclear Deal

by Martin Longman May 8, 2018January 9, 2022

Support the Washington Monthly

Founded in 1969, the Washington Monthly is an independent media organization based in Washington, D.C. Our mission: To preserve democracy and champion good governance through honest journalism and thoughtful commentary.

We’re not a subsidiary of a giant media company or a mouthpiece for ideologues. We’re independent, listened to by insiders and willing to take on sacred cows—liberal and conservative.

Yes, I'll Make a Donation

emmanuel macron

The French Rejection

The U.S.-Europe Rift: How Trump’s Iran War is Making it Worse

As Trump’s Greenland Threat Grows, Europe Begins to Find Its Voice

Can Europe Turn Tough Talk on Russia into Action?

At NATO Summit, Allies Avoid Tensions with Trump

“A New Model of Democracy”

The French Sub Deal: A Mercedes With a Fiat Engine at a Rolls-Royce Price

The Cost of Freedom

Trump Is Humiliated in Europe Again

Trump Will Catastrophically Pull Out of Iran Nuclear Deal

The New Normal in Kyiv, Ukraine

How to Build a Big Tent

The Swastika and the Red Hat

A Different Kind of College Ranking

After the Closures

How Online Algorithms Rig the College Search Process

Best Colleges for Rural America

Never miss an article!