World The U.S. is trying to mend ties with Venezuela. One big reason? Oil The Biden administration has extended an olive branch to Venezuela. It might sway Caracas to resume talks with the opposition for elections, and eventually let Venezuelan oil back on the world market. John Otis
World An intense global scramble is on to keep Ukraine grain deal alive, as Russia pulls out Countries are scrambling to salvage a deal allowing Ukraine to export grain, after Russia said it pulled out indefinitely, a decision that risks worsening global hunger. Fatma Tanis
World With U.S. focused on defense, China's trade and infrastructure sweep Southeast Asia The Biden administration hopes to make deeper inroads in Southeast Asia but lags far behind China, which has already built up major trade ties, as well as roads and a high-speed rail. Julie McCarthy
World State Department Orders Departure Of Nonessential Personnel From Kabul Embassy The order came Tuesday, amid concerns about heightened violence as U.S. and NATO troops depart Afghanistan. U.S. officials would not confirm the number of those leaving but insisted it would be small. Michele Kelemen Nishant Dahiya
World China To Loom Large At Biden's Summit With Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga As the U.S. tries to enlist allies to help meet the challenges posed by China, perhaps no nation is more central than Japan. Suga is the first foreign leader to meet face-to-face with President Biden. Anthony Kuhn
World 50 Years Later, The Legacy Of U.S.-China 'Pingpong Diplomacy' Faces Challenges April 10 marks the 50th anniversary of when U.S. table tennis players first visited China in a diplomatic breakthrough. But today, the political winds have shifted — in both countries. John Ruwitch
World Senate Confirms Antony Blinken As Secretary Of State The Senate confirmed Antony Blinken as President Biden's secretary of state on Tuesday. The vote was 78-22. As the top U.S. diplomat, Blinken will face an array of national security challenges. Michele Kelemen
World Opinion: Iran Is Escalating Its Nuclear Program. Biden Should Not Rush To Respond Iran has announced new nuclear steps aimed at the incoming Biden administration, but the U.S. has leverage to push back, argues analyst Henry Rome. Henry Rome
World Pompeo's Legacy Of Partisanship And Wading Into Political Waters Mike Pompeo's critics see his trip to Georgia, less than a month before key Senate runoff races, as another example of the secretary of state breaking norms by getting involved in domestic politics. Michele Kelemen
World Under Trump, More Big Donors Are Named Ambassadors — And Controversies Have Followed The U.S. "not only has a higher percentage of political ambassadors, but has a higher percentage ... who don't seem to be temperamentally or intellectually suited for the work," says an ex-diplomat. Michele Kelemen