DIThe Distraction Index

#foreign policy

104 events across 37 weeks

5Damage
61Hype
38Noise
7.6Avg Dmg
36.1Avg Hype
WEEK 86Aug 16 – 22
HYPE2026-08-15
Trump Comments on US Dominance in Latin America
international · narrow
Damage
—
Hype
22.3
WEEK 84Aug 2 – 8
HYPE2026-08-03
Iran Negotiations and Strategic Communications
Damage
3.5
Hype
33.3
NOISE2026-08-02
Iran Conflict Enters Sixth Month with White House Strategic Divisions
Norm Erosion Onlyinternational · broad
Damage
10.1
Hype
19.0
NOISE2026-08-02
US-China Competition on Africa Infrastructure
Damage
1.7
Hype
11.5
NOISE2026-08-02
Iran Negotiations and Congressional Transparency Concerns
Norm Erosion Onlyfederal · narrow
Damage
7.8
Hype
13.5
WEEK 83Jul 26 – Aug 1
NOISE2026-07-30
Executive Orders Reshape U.S. Defense Export Policy
Policy Changeinternational · moderate
Damage
7.8
Hype
6.0
NOISE2026-07-30
Trump Administration Weakens America's Sanctions Weapon
Policy Changeinternational · moderate
Damage
12.9
Hype
8.8
WEEK 82Jul 19 – 25
NOISE2026-07-25
Security Expert Sounds Alarm Over Trump's Nuclear Deal
Policy Changeinternational · broad
Damage
0.0
Hype
18.2
NOISE2026-07-25
Secretary Rubio Articulates Trump's Iran Policy Position
international · narrow
Damage
0.0
Hype
6.5
NOISE2026-07-25
Trump Halts U.S. Airstrikes on Iran After 13-Night Campaign
Policy Changeinternational · narrow
Damage
4.0
Hype
18.5
HYPE2026-07-25
Trump's Influence in Colombia's Right-Wing Victory
Information Operationinternational · broad
Damage
9.0
Hype
42.0
NOISE2026-07-25
Trump Says He Trusts China and Russia Not to Help Iran
Norm Erosion Onlyinternational · narrow
Damage
1.4
Hype
18.5
HYPE2026-07-24
Trump threatens major escalation in Iran military campaign
Policy Changeinternational · broad
Damage
23.9
Hype
63.7
NOISE2026-07-24
Trump Contradicts Defense Secretary on Iran-China-Russia Cooperation
Information Operationinternational · narrow
Damage
0.7
Hype
16.5
HYPE2026-07-24
Trump Threatens Major Escalation Against Iran After 13 Nights of Strikes
Policy Changeinternational · broad
Damage
1.3
Hype
65.5
DMG2026-07-23
US Launches Sustained Military Strikes on Iran
Policy Changeinternational · broad
Damage
59.1
Hype
39.3
NOISE2026-07-23
Trump Administration Weighs Military Intervention in Mali
Policy Changeinternational · moderate
Damage
3.6
Hype
11.2
NOISE2026-07-23
US-Saudi Arabia Commercial Nuclear Energy Deal
Policy Changeinternational · moderate
Damage
0.0
Hype
2.4
HYPE2026-07-20
Trump Vows Iran Will 'Pay' After US Service Members Killed
Norm Erosion Onlyinternational · moderate
Damage
10.0
Hype
46.0
WEEK 81Jul 12 – 18
NOISE2026-07-15
Senators Rally Behind Russia Sanctions Bill as Graham Legacy Priority
Policy Changefederal · moderate
Damage
0.0
Hype
6.5
HYPE2026-07-15
Trump Drops Strait of Hormuz Reimbursement Fee, Announces Gulf Investment Plans
Policy Changeinternational · moderate
Damage
2.4
Hype
34.2
WEEK 80Jul 5 – 11
NOISE2026-07-08
Trump Shores Up Relations with Regional Allies Amid Netanyahu Rift
international · moderate
Damage
0.0
Hype
14.0
HYPE2026-07-08
Pentagon Seeks to Rally Latin America Behind New Monroe Doctrine
Policy Changeinternational · moderate
Damage
14.8
Hype
37.1
NOISE2026-07-08
Trump Administration Removes Syria from US Terrorism Sponsor List
Policy Changeinternational · moderate
Damage
2.0
Hype
15.0
HYPE2026-07-05
Trump Demands NATO 'Loyalty' and Reframes Burden-Sharing Expectations
Norm Erosion Onlyinternational · broad
Damage
4.1
Hype
70.0
HYPE2026-07-04
Trump and Putin Hold Pre-NATO Summit Call
international · broad
Damage
—
Hype
61.8
HYPE2026-07-04
Putin and Trump Discuss Ukraine and Iran Ahead of NATO Summit
international · broad
Damage
—
Hype
47.3
WEEK 79Jun 28 – Jul 4
HYPE2026-06-30
Vance and Rubio Split on Trump Foreign Policy and 2028 Ambitions
Norm Erosion Onlyfederal · narrow
Damage
0.0
Hype
60.8
HYPE2026-06-28
US Military Strikes Iran; Ceasefire and War Powers Questions
Policy Changeinternational · moderate
Damage
30.0
Hype
70.0
HYPE2026-06-28
Trump Considers U-Turn on Iran Sanctions Policy
Policy Changeinternational · moderate
Damage
19.7
Hype
54.0
HYPE2026-06-27
US military strikes Iran following ceasefire violation claim
international · broad
Damage
—
Hype
73.3
WEEK 78Jun 21 – 27
HYPE2026-06-21
Cory Booker Rejects Trump Iran Deal
federal · narrow
Damage
—
Hype
22.8
HYPE2026-06-21
US-Iran Nuclear Negotiations in Switzerland
Norm Erosion Onlyinternational · moderate
Damage
2.3
Hype
42.8
HYPE2026-06-21
US-Iran Nuclear Negotiations in Switzerland with Trump Threats
Norm Erosion Onlyinternational · broad
Damage
8.7
Hype
61.8
WEEK 77Jun 14 – 20
HYPE2026-06-19
Iran Nuclear Talks Delayed as Vance Remains in Washington
Policy Changeinternational · moderate
Damage
2.7
Hype
63.5
HYPE2026-06-15
Trump Administration Announces Iran War Deal Agreement
Policy Changeinternational · broad
Damage
0.0
Hype
92.8
HYPE2026-06-15
Trump Claims Strait of Hormuz Reopened; Shipping Activity Remains Minimal
Information Operationinternational · moderate
Damage
0.0
Hype
50.8
HYPE2026-06-14
Secretary Rubio Remarks on US Commercial Shipping Actions in Gulf
international · narrow
Damage
—
Hype
2.8
HYPE2026-06-13
Iran War Deal Announcement and Dispute
Policy Changeinternational · broad
Damage
19.7
Hype
89.5
DMG2026-06-11
DOJ Formally Moves to Drop Halkbank Case
Enforcement Actionfederal · narrow
Damage
43.6
Hype
25.3
WEEK 75May 31 – Jun 6
HYPE2026-06-05
House Passes Ukraine Aid in Rebuke of Trump Policy
federal · narrow
Damage
—
Hype
29.3
HYPE2026-06-03
Secretary Rubio Declares Iran Military Operations Concluded; War Powers Vote Pending
Norm Erosion Onlyinternational · moderate
Damage
21.1
Hype
53.5
WEEK 74May 24 – 30
HYPE2026-05-24
Miscellaneous News and Opinion Content
null · null
Damage
—
Hype
2.8
HYPE2026-05-24
Trump Claims Iran Peace Deal Largely Negotiated
international · broad
Damage
—
Hype
59.0
HYPE2026-05-24
NATO Allies Confused by Trump Turnaround on US Troops in Europe
Policy Changeinternational · broad
Damage
5.6
Hype
37.0
HYPE2026-05-23
Trump Revives Push for Greenland on Truth Social
Norm Erosion Onlyinternational · narrow
Damage
0.0
Hype
66.8
WEEK 73May 17 – 23
HYPE2026-05-17
Trump Administration Allows Russian Oil Sales Waiver to Expire
Policy Changeinternational · broad
Damage
1.7
Hype
69.5
WEEK 72May 10 – 16
HYPE2026-05-10
Rubio Defends New US Sanctions on Cuba
international · narrow
Damage
—
Hype
9.3
HYPE2026-05-10
Putin Outlines Warning Call with Trump on Ukraine Exit
Policy Changeinternational · broad
Damage
12.6
Hype
46.8
HYPE2026-05-10
Foreign Policy and International News - Non-US Democratic Impact
international · narrow
Damage
—
Hype
11.0
WEEK 70Apr 26 – May 2
HYPE2026-04-26
US Withdraws from Peace Talks with Iran
international · moderate
Damage
—
Hype
70.8
WEEK 69Apr 19 – 25
HYPE2026-04-19
Iran Strait of Hormuz Closure and Ceasefire Expiration
Damage
0.0
Hype
87.3
WEEK 68Apr 12 – 18
HYPE2026-04-16
Trump Administration Escalates Iran Conflict; Republicans Break Ranks
Policy Changeinternational · broad
Damage
28.6
Hype
72.3
HYPE2026-04-15
US Blockade of Iranian Ports Implemented
Resource Reallocationinternational · broad
Damage
40.0
Hype
79.3
HYPE2026-04-12
Trump Downplays Iran Ceasefire Negotiations
Norm Erosion Onlyinternational · broad
Damage
7.8
Hype
59.0
NOISE2026-04-11
UK Halts Chagos Islands Handover After Trump Withdraws Support
Norm Erosion Onlyinternational · narrow
Damage
0.0
Hype
29.3
HYPE2026-04-11
Trump Administration Conflict with Pope Over US-Israel Iran War
Norm Erosion Onlyinternational · narrow
Damage
0.0
Hype
81.3
WEEK 67Apr 5 – 11
HYPE2026-04-05
Pete Buttigieg Criticizes Trump Budget Priorities
Damage
0.0
Hype
63.0
WEEK 66Mar 29 – Apr 4
HYPE2026-03-29
Potential U.S. Military Ground Operations Against Iran
Damage
12.0
Hype
85.0
WEEK 65Mar 22 – 28
HYPE2026-03-22
Trump Threatens Iran with Military Action Over Strait of Hormuz
Norm Erosion Onlyinternational · broad
Damage
25.3
Hype
82.3
WEEK 64Mar 15 – 21
HYPE2026-03-15
US-Iran Military Conflict Escalates
Damage
18.0
Hype
92.8
WEEK 63Mar 8 – 14
NOISE2026-03-12
Noise: Foreign Policy and Economic Analysis
Damage
0.0
Hype
5.5
HYPE2026-03-10
Cuba Policy Signals
Policy Changeinternational · moderate
Damage
0.0
Hype
28.0
WEEK 62Mar 1 – 7
NOISE2026-03-07
NOISE: Trump Turns Attention to Western Hemisphere at Americas Summit
Damage
0.0
Hype
2.8
HYPE2026-03-05
Trump Demands Israeli President Pardon Netanyahu
Norm Erosion Onlyinternational · narrow
Damage
0.0
Hype
67.3
HYPE2026-03-05
Trump Says He Must Be Involved in Selecting New Iran Leader
Norm Erosion Onlyinternational · broad
Damage
4.6
Hype
70.0
HYPE2026-02-27
Trump Administration Targets Oil Shipments to Cuba with New Executive Order
Policy Changeinternational · narrow
Damage
3.3
Hype
52.5
WEEK 60Feb 15 – 21
NOISE2026-02-20
US Plans to Reopen Embassy in Syria After 14 Years
Policy Changeinternational · narrow
Damage
5.0
Hype
22.8
HYPE2026-02-19
Trump Presses Iran with 10-Day Deadline for 'Meaningful' Deal
Policy Changeinternational · broad
Damage
10.6
Hype
28.2
HYPE2026-02-19
Trump Board of Peace Initiative Announced with Global Commitments
Policy Changeinternational · broad
Damage
8.4
Hype
27.9
NOISE2026-02-19
Trump Mixes Diplomacy and Flattery at Peace Board Meeting
Policy Changeinternational · moderate
Damage
0.0
Hype
3.8
HYPE2026-02-18
Trump Discusses Taiwan Arms Sales with China, Raising Concerns
Policy Changeinternational · narrow
Damage
16.7
Hype
27.5
NOISE2026-02-13
US Refiner Valero to Import Venezuelan Crude Despite Sanctions
Policy Changeinternational · moderate
Damage
4.6
Hype
9.1
WEEK 59Feb 8 – 14
NOISE2026-02-10
US Criminal Investigation Targets Maduro Ally Previously Pardoned by Biden
Enforcement Actioninternational · narrow
Damage
6.3
Hype
23.5
HYPE2026-02-06
Trump Orders Defense Spending Prioritization in Weapons Sales
Policy Changeinternational · moderate
Damage
10.6
Hype
39.0
HYPE2026-02-06
US Aims for March Peace Deal in Ukraine with Quick Elections
Policy Changeinternational · broad
Damage
21.8
Hype
50.0
WEEK 54Jan 4 – 10
HYPE2026-01-09
Republican Senator Calls Greenland Invasion Proposal 'Weapons-Grade Stupid'
Norm Erosion Onlyfederal · narrow
Damage
0.1
Hype
44.3
DMG2026-01-09
Trump Administration Pursues Venezuela Regime Change Policy
Policy Changeinternational · moderate
Damage
27.8
Hype
22.2
WEEK 48Nov 23 – 29
NOISE2025-11-28
Putin Responds to US Peace Plan for Ukraine Conflict
international · broad
Damage
0.0
Hype
12.2
NOISE2025-11-28
Venezuelan Airline Ban Criticized as Disproportionate
Enforcement Actioninternational · narrow
Damage
0.5
Hype
3.8
NOISE2025-11-28
Xi Raises Taiwan Issue in Trump Call
international · broad
Damage
0.0
Hype
19.1
WEEK 40Sep 28 – Oct 4
DMG2025-10-03
Trump Declares Drug Cartels 'Unlawful Combatants' and Orders Military Strikes
Policy Changeinternational · moderate
Damage
55.3
Hype
32.1
NOISE2025-10-03
Trump Administration Eyes Access to Ukrainian War Drone Technology
Policy Changeinternational · narrow
Damage
11.8
Hype
19.4
WEEK 36Aug 31 – Sep 6
NOISE2025-09-06
Trump Administration Eases Travel Restrictions on Corrupt African Leader
Policy Changeinternational · narrow
Damage
11.1
Hype
21.6
NOISE2025-09-06
Trump Signs Executive Order on Wrongful Detention of Americans
Policy Changeinternational · narrow
Damage
5.1
Hype
11.4
WEEK 32Aug 3 – 9
HYPE2025-08-09
Trump-Putin Meeting Scheduled for Alaska
Norm Erosion Onlyinternational · broad
Damage
11.9
Hype
52.4
HYPE2025-08-09
Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace Deal Brokered at White House
Information Operationinternational · moderate
Damage
0.0
Hype
48.2
WEEK 30Jul 20 – 26
NOISE2025-07-26
Democratic Senators Demand Investigation of US Citizen Killed in West Bank
international · narrow
Damage
3.2
Hype
20.0
NOISE2025-07-26
Trump Dismisses Macron's Palestinian State Recognition
international · narrow
Damage
0.2
Hype
16.9
WEEK 28Jul 6 – 12
NOISE2025-07-12
US Slaps Visa Sanctions on Cuban President
Policy Changeinternational · narrow
Damage
0.5
Hype
10.6
WEEK 19May 4 – 10
NOISE2025-05-10
Trump Heads to Saudi Arabia for Diplomatic Visit
Damage
0.0
Hype
3.6
NOISE2025-05-10
Trump and Ukraine Diplomacy Efforts
Damage
0.0
Hype
2.1
WEEK 16Apr 13 – 19
NOISE2025-04-19
Trump Administration Reduces U.S. Military Presence in Syria
Policy Changeinternational · narrow
Damage
9.1
Hype
13.5
NOISE2025-04-19
Trump May Abandon Ukraine Peace Talks Within Days
Policy Changeinternational · narrow
Damage
7.1
Hype
21.6
WEEK 9Feb 23 – Mar 1
HYPE2025-03-01
Heated Trump-Zelenskyy Oval Office Confrontation
Norm Erosion Onlyinternational · broad
Damage
2.4
Hype
47.1
HYPE2025-03-01
Trump Mulls Ending Military Aid to Ukraine
Policy Changeinternational · narrow
Damage
9.8
Hype
24.9
NOISE2025-03-01
Trump Administration Approves $3 Billion Arms Sale to Israel
Policy Changeinternational · narrow
Damage
12.3
Hype
11.2
NOISE2025-03-01
Trump Calls for Immediate Russia-Ukraine Ceasefire
Policy Changeinternational · narrow
Damage
0.2
Hype
22.3
WEEK 7Feb 9 – 15
DMG2025-02-15
VP Vance Delivers Blistering Speech to European Allies on Democracy and Russia
Norm Erosion Onlyinternational · moderate
Damage
28.3
Hype
18.1
WEEK 6Feb 2 – 8
NOISE2025-02-08
US Reduces Role in Ukraine Defense as UK Expands
Policy Changeinternational · narrow
Damage
5.0
Hype
14.4
WEEK 2Jan 5 – 11
HYPE2025-01-11
Panama Canal Administrator Pushes Back Against Trump Claims of Chinese Meddling
Information Operationinternational · narrow
Damage
11.4
Hype
46.1
HYPE2025-01-11
Greenland Leader Says He Is Ready to Talk to Trump
Information Operationinternational · narrow
Damage
0.0
Hype
27.7
HYPE2025-01-11
US and UK Impose Sanctions on Russian Energy Sector
Policy Changeinternational · narrow
Damage
2.5
Hype
30.8
HYPE2025-01-11
GOP Lawmaker Introduces Bill to Repurchase Panama Canal
Policy Changeinternational · narrow
Damage
0.9
Hype
34.2