FP This Week: The ‘Axis of Evil’ is Back

Plus: Understanding the socioeconomic and environmental impacts of COP28. DECEMBER 5, 2023  |  [VIEW IN BROWSER](  |  [SUBSCRIBE](     U.S. President George W. Bush delivers his second State of the Union address in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 28, 2003. Pablo Martinez Monsivais/Getty Images New and Noteworthy - Foreign-Policy Language: Throughout history, leaders have experimented with rhetoric to name threats that the West faces. In the early 2000s, the phrase of choice was the “axis of evil,” referring to what some believed to be a growing alliance between China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. While the title seems to be making [a recent comeback]( among Biden administration officials, some disagree with its usage and definition in a present-day context. What are the implications of this type of language? What do officials have to say about the so-called axis of evil? - The Ambitious Navy: “There was a time when the young and smallish U.S. Navy came to the assistance of the Royal Navy; now it is the other way around,” Alexander Wooley writes in a [dispatch]( for Foreign Policy. What started as an operation to test new aircraft carriers has become somewhat symbolic, especially with increased testing on these ships from U.S. pilots and instructors. Amid this growing cooperation, both the Pentagon and Indo-Pacific planners have set their sights on the new carriers as valuable assets for their—and Britain’s—naval goals. - What’s Next in the Middle East: On Saturday, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris said in a statement that “under no circumstances will the United States permit the forced relocation of Palestinians from Gaza or the West Bank.” Despite the dire situation, global media and public attention on the Middle East already seem to be declining. To understand what might happen next, [watch the video]( or [read the highlights]( from a conversation between FP’s Ravi Agrawal and Rashid Khalidi, a professor of Arab affairs at Columbia University, and the author of The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine: A History of Settler Colonialism and Resistance.   FP Live FP Live: The Ask-Me-Anything EditionDec. 18 | 12 p.m. ET Ahead of this holiday season, it’s your turn to ask FP Live host Ravi Agrawal the questions. In another special ask-me-anything episode on FP Live, he will be in conversation with the magazine’s executive editor, Amelia Lester. Please write in and submit your questions, including anything related to FP’s regular coverage or how FP makes its decisions, by Dec. 8. [Register and submit your questions now](. Takeaways From Biden’s Meeting With XiNov. 17 | 11 a.m. ETChinese President Xi Jinping made his first visit to the United States in six years in November, striking [agreements]( with U.S. President Joe Biden that stabilized the U.S.-China relationship—for now—and gave Xi room to focus on improving his country’s economy. To make sense of the meeting, FP’s Ravi Agrawal spoke with Evan Medeiros, the former China director in the U.S. National Security Council under President Barack Obama; Cindy Yu, an assistant editor at the Spectator and host of its Chinese Whispers podcast; and James Palmer, a deputy editor at FP and author of the China Brief newsletter. [Watch]( the full conversation now or read the [Q&A](. Stay informed on U.S.-China relations—[sign up]( for FP’s weekly China Brief.   FROM FP EVENTS Do You Want to Accelerate Climate Action? Climate challenges transcend borders, and effective action demands unprecedented cooperation. With the momentum from COP28 and key discussions carrying over from last week, tune in to a free FP forum tomorrow with policymakers, thought leaders, and industry leaders—in-person or virtual—on the power of collaborative efforts to address a warming planet. [REGISTER NOW](   A closer look at the bigger picture. [Get FP access today.](   Explore COP28 with FPA [FP Analytics](, Foreign Policy’s independent research and advisory division, takes in-depth, data-informed looks at the world’s most pressing issues. As COP28 continues to unfold in Dubai, its scope, developments, and consequences are more essential to keep up with than ever. Explore two new briefs from FP Analytics to gain a deeper understanding of what is being—and should be—done for climate change at this year’s conference. FPA can work with your team to produce in-depth proprietary research. [Contact us]( to learn more. - A Just Transition: At COP28, the international community will participate in the first-ever [global stocktake]( and assess whether the goals and commitments surrounding the 2015 Paris Agreement are being met. Accelerating, not just ensuring, progress at this time is imperative to avert climate catastrophe. Simultaneously, leaders need to ensure that people everywhere have access to clean energy while enabling the responsible production and consumption of resources. [This issue brief]( by FP Analytics, with support from the COP28 Presidency, delves into how COP28 can serve as a critical juncture to advance environmental stewardship alongside economic growth and prosperity for all. - For Women and the World: A growing body of evidence shows that women-led solutions, and particularly nature-based solutions, are key to meeting the 2015 Paris Agreement targets, and many of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, by 2030. When women aren’t included in climate action, effective solutions are left on the table at a time when every moment counts. As the global community convenes at COP28 in Dubai, [this issue brief]( by FP Analytics, with support from Daughters for Earth and Vital Voices, examines the powerful returns on investment in women-led climate action and how nature-based solutions can fulfill urgent climate goals.   From Around FP - Season 3 of The Catch: After two critically acclaimed seasons tracking the state of global fishing, FP’s [The Catch](, produced in partnership with the Walton Family Foundation, made a recent return with a new season. This year, Ruxandra Guidi traveled to Norway to learn about the cod industry after previously exploring the squid industry for Season 1 and efforts to achieve a sustainable balance in the upper Gulf of California for Season 2. Catch up now on [Apple](, [Spotify](, or wherever you listen, and look out for a new episode today. - The Future of NATO: Last week, NATO foreign affairs ministers met at the NATO headquarters in Brussels at a time of strength and cohesion that the bloc hasn’t seen in recent years. In the fall 2023 print issue of FP, Jo Inge Bekkevold wrote an analysis that explored various [factors behind this unity](, how some actors might strengthen or weaken this bond, and what’s in store for NATO. Speaking of [the print issue](, we will be releasing our winter 2024 issue very soon. 2024 marks a significant election year for five of the world’s six biggest democracies, which is why the upcoming issue is all about elections—and countering the threats of populism, nationalism, and misinformation. [Become a subscriber]( to get those stories, plus the upcoming print issue, today.   Give your team a global perspective [One FP group subscription can help your organization navigate an ever-changing world—and make smarter decisions along the way.]( [LEARN MORE](   [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [LinkedIn]( You’re receiving this email at {EMAIL} because you signed up for FP's This Week newsletter. [MANAGE YOUR EMAIL PREFERENCES]( | [VIEW OUR PRIVACY POLICY]( | [UNSUBSCRIBE]( Interested in partnering with FP on events, podcasts, or research? [Explore FP Solutions](. [Foreign Policy]( is a division of Graham Holdings Company. All contents © 2023 Graham Digital Holding Company LLC. All rights reserved. Foreign Policy, 655 15th St NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC, 20005.