#foreign_policy | The Distraction Index
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79 events across 29 weeks
6
Damage
32
Hype
41
Noise
8.4
Avg Dmg
24.6
Avg Hype
WEEK 71
May 3 – 9
NOISE
2026-05-02
Trump Administration Cuba Sanctions
Policy Change
international · broad
Damage
0.0
Hype
21.5
WEEK 68
Apr 12 – 18
HYPE
2026-04-16
US Pushes Nations to Prioritize Trade Over Aid
Policy Change
international · moderate
Damage
0.0
Hype
31.8
HYPE
2026-04-12
US-Iran Nuclear Negotiations Conclude Without Agreement
international · broad
WEEK 67
Apr 5 – 11
HYPE
2026-04-09
Trump Administration Turns on NATO Over Iran
Norm Erosion Only
international · broad
Damage
0.0
Hype
73.0
HYPE
2026-04-05
Trump Issues 48-Hour Ultimatum to Iran on Strait of Hormuz
Norm Erosion Only
international · broad
WEEK 63
Mar 8 – 14
NOISE
2026-03-09
Noise: Trump Administration Economic and Foreign Policy Commentary
Damage
0.0
Hype
17.3
NOISE
2026-03-08
Noise: China Economic and Political Coverage
Damage
0.0
Hype
2.8
WEEK 62
Mar 1 – 7
HYPE
2026-03-06
Trump Administration Faces Pressure Over Iran Strikes Lack of Notice to Gulf Countries
Norm Erosion Only
international · moderate
Damage
5.0
Hype
32.0
HYPE
2026-03-02
NOISE: Non-Administration Foreign Policy and International News
international · narrow
WEEK 61
Feb 22 – 28
HYPE
2026-02-26
Rubio Defends Venezuela Ouster to Skeptical Caribbean Leaders
Policy Change
international · moderate
Damage
8.8
Hype
25.4
NOISE
2026-02-24
Senate Democrats Criticize Trump on Russia Sanctions
Norm Erosion Only
federal · narrow
WEEK 60
Feb 15 – 21
NOISE
2026-02-19
JPMorgan in Talks to Bank Trump's Board of Peace
Norm Erosion Only
federal · narrow
Damage
6.2
Hype
20.4
HYPE
2026-02-15
Rubio Munich Security Conference Speech on European Alliance
Norm Erosion Only
international · moderate
WEEK 59
Feb 8 – 14
HYPE
2026-02-12
Trump Administration Energy Secretary Visits Venezuela for Oil Industry Assessment
Policy Change
international · moderate
Damage
1.8
Hype
30.8
DMG
2026-02-07
US Sets June Deadline for Ukraine-Russia Peace Agreement
Policy Change
international · broad
WEEK 58
Feb 1 – 7
NOISE
2026-02-05
Cuba Says Ready to Talk to US on Non-Regime Change Terms
Policy Change
international · moderate
Damage
0.0
Hype
3.1
NOISE
2026-02-05
Trump Administration National Security Strategy Questioned
Policy Change
federal · broad
WEEK 56
Jan 18 – 24
HYPE
2026-01-23
Trump Warns of Massive Armada Heading Toward Iran
Policy Change
international · narrow
Damage
18.5
Hype
30.8
HYPE
2026-01-23
Jared Kushner Presents Trump-Backed Master Plan for Post-War Gaza
Policy Change
international · moderate
WEEK 53
Dec 28 – Jan 3
NOISE
2026-01-01
US Imposes Sanctions on Venezuelan Oil Firms and Tankers
Policy Change
international · narrow
Damage
0.5
Hype
3.1
WEEK 52
Dec 21 – 27
HYPE
2025-12-25
Trump Administration Appoints Greenland Envoy
Norm Erosion Only
international · narrow
Damage
1.3
Hype
32.0
WEEK 50
Dec 7 – 13
NOISE
2025-12-11
House Rebukes Trump on Foreign Policy, Backs Europe
Norm Erosion Only
international · moderate
Damage
2.3
Hype
14.3
WEEK 47
Nov 16 – 22
NOISE
2025-11-21
Trump Administration Reshapes State Department Human Rights Report
Policy Change
federal · broad
Damage
18.9
Hype
15.7
WEEK 46
Nov 9 – 15
HYPE
2025-11-14
Trump Briefed on Updated Military Options in Venezuela
Policy Change
international · moderate
Damage
18.4
Hype
29.1
WEEK 45
Nov 2 – 8
DMG
2025-11-07
UN Approves US-Backed Effort to Lift Sanctions on Syria President
Policy Change
international · broad
Damage
48.0
Hype
30.6
WEEK 42
Oct 12 – 18
HYPE
2025-10-17
Panama President Says US Embassy Threatened Visa Cancellations Over China Ties
Policy Change
international · narrow
Damage
5.6
Hype
27.9
NOISE
2025-10-17
Venezuela Rejects US Plan for Maduro to Gradually Relinquish Power
Policy Change
international · moderate
WEEK 39
Sep 21 – 27
NOISE
2025-09-26
Trump Hints at F-35 Jet Sales to Turkey in Exchange for Ending Russian Oil Purchases
Policy Change
international · narrow
Damage
11.2
Hype
17.4
NOISE
2025-09-26
Trump Holds Talks with Pakistan Prime Minister
international · narrow
WEEK 38
Sep 14 – 20
HYPE
2025-09-20
Trump Announces Plans to Visit China and Discusses TikTok Progress
Policy Change
international · narrow
Damage
7.5
Hype
29.7
NOISE
2025-09-20
Trump Welcomes Turkish President Erdogan, Discusses Warplane Dispute
Policy Change
international · narrow
WEEK 34
Aug 17 – 23
HYPE
2025-08-23
Trump Administration Takes Aggressive Cartel Action
Enforcement Action
international · moderate
Damage
20.8
Hype
28.6
NOISE
2025-08-23
Trump Claims Credit for Multiple Ceasefires
Information Operation
international · narrow
WEEK 33
Aug 10 – 16
HYPE
2025-08-16
Trump-Putin Alaska Summit on Ukraine War
international · broad
Damage
15.6
Hype
57.5
WEEK 29
Jul 13 – 19
NOISE
2025-07-19
Trump Administration Examines Foreign Policy Approach
international · broad
Damage
0.0
Hype
4.7
HYPE
2025-07-19
Trump Administration Secures Release of 10 Americans in Venezuela Prisoner Swap
international · narrow
WEEK 27
Jun 29 – Jul 5
NOISE
2025-07-05
Trump Claims Ceasefire Deal Near in Gaza
international · broad
Damage
0.0
Hype
15.1
WEEK 25
Jun 15 – 21
HYPE
2025-06-14
Trump Discusses Middle East Tensions with Putin
international · broad
Damage
5.8
Hype
31.0
NOISE
2025-06-14
Israel Thanks Trump for Support on Iran Conflict
international · narrow
Damage
WEEK 23
Jun 1 – 7
NOISE
2025-06-07
Defense Secretary Hegseth Issues Warning on China-Taiwan Threat
Norm Erosion Only
international · broad
Damage
0.0
Hype
18.4
WEEK 20
May 11 – 17
NOISE
2025-05-17
Trump Makes Accurate Prediction About Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks
Damage
0.0
Hype
4.2
NOISE
2025-05-17
Ukraine Peace Talks Achieve Little Beyond Prisoner Swap Pledge
Damage
0.0
Hype
2.2
WEEK 15
Apr 6 – 12
NOISE
2025-04-07
Trump-Netanyahu Meeting on Gaza, Tariffs, and Iran
international · moderate
Damage
0.0
Hype
10.3
HYPE
2025-04-05
Trump Administration Pursues Ukraine-Russia Peace Deal
international · moderate
WEEK 5
Jan 26 – Feb 1
NOISE
2025-02-01
Trump Administration Tightens Cuba Policy
Policy Change
international · moderate
Damage
0.3
Hype
10.9
HYPE
2025-02-01
Trump Claims Potential Breakthrough with Putin on Ukraine War
Policy Change
international · broad
WEEK 4
Jan 19 – 25
NOISE
2025-01-24
Secretary of State Rubio Plans First Trip to Panama
international · narrow
Damage
0.0
Hype
6.7
Damage
—
Hype
65.3
HYPE
2026-04-12
Trump Announces US Blockade of Strait of Hormuz
Policy Change
international · broad
Damage
28.2
Hype
79.3
Damage
15.8
Hype
60.5
HYPE
2026-03-08
Iran Escalation and Military Conflict
Damage
9.6
Hype
87.3
HYPE
2026-03-08
DOJ Pursues Cases Against Cuban Leaders as Trump Floats 'Friendly Takeover'
Enforcement Action
international · narrow
Damage
25.0
Hype
60.0
Damage
—
Hype
2.8
NOISE
2026-03-02
NOISE: International Iran Conflict Coverage and Analysis
Damage
0.0
Hype
81.3
Damage
1.1
Hype
18.6
HYPE
2026-02-24
US Warns Ukraine Against Hitting US Interests in Russia Strikes
Policy Change
international · moderate
Damage
18.5
Hype
29.2
HYPE
2026-02-23
Trump Administration Scrutinizes Foreign Funding of Universities
Enforcement Action
federal · moderate
Damage
11.9
Hype
27.2
NOISE
2026-02-23
State Department Orders Diplomat Evacuation from Lebanon
Policy Change
international · moderate
Damage
0.0
Hype
19.0
NOISE
2026-02-23
Rubio Visits Caribbean to Reassert US Interests
Policy Change
international · moderate
Damage
0.0
Hype
11.1
NOISE
2026-02-23
Trump Warns Countries on Trade Deal Compliance
Policy Change
international · broad
Damage
2.2
Hype
21.4
DMG
2026-02-21
Trump Escalates Iran Military Tensions
Policy Change
international · broad
Damage
47.8
Hype
25.5
NOISE
2025-04-09
Trump Signs Executive Order Easing Weapons Exports
Policy Change
federal · broad
Damage
23.1
Hype
17.2
Damage
0.0
Hype
34.8
NOISE
2025-10-23
Trump Supporters Uneasy About Military Actions Against Venezuela
Norm Erosion Only
international · narrow
Damage
1.4
Hype
9.7
DMG
2025-10-15
Trump Administration Authorizes Covert CIA Action in Venezuela
Policy Change
international · broad
Damage
33.2
Hype
20.5
Damage
46.0
Hype
26.6
NOISE
2026-02-07
Iran Sees Diplomatic Opening with US but Rejects Nuclear Curbs
international · moderate
Damage
0.0
Hype
9.3
HYPE
2026-02-07
Trump Board of Peace Holds First Meeting
Personnel Capture
federal · broad
Damage
15.4
Hype
30.2
NOISE
2026-02-07
Trump Hosts Honduras President at Mar-a-Lago
international · narrow
Damage
6.0
Hype
18.7
NOISE
2026-02-07
US Imposes Oil Supply Blockade on Cuba
Policy Change
international · broad
Damage
21.5
Hype
17.3
NOISE
2026-02-07
Netanyahu Meets Trump on Iran Negotiations
international · moderate
Damage
0.0
Hype
9.1
HYPE
2026-02-07
Iran Vows to Target US Bases if Attacked
international · moderate
Damage
2.5
Hype
27.6
DMG
2026-02-07
Trump Uses Military Leaders for Diplomatic Efforts on Iran and Ukraine
Personnel Capture
international · broad
Damage
28.1
Hype
23.1
Damage
0.0
Hype
12.7
NOISE
2026-02-05
Iran and US Agree to Nuclear Talks in Oman
Policy Change
international · broad
Damage
0.0
Hype
11.2
Damage
10.1
Hype
28.5
Damage
0.0
Hype
10.9
DMG
2025-10-17
Trump Approves Covert CIA Action in Venezuela
Policy Change
international · moderate
Damage
24.4
Hype
17.3
HYPE
2025-10-17
Trump Plans Meeting with Putin in Hungary After Zelenskyy Meeting
Policy Change
international · broad
Damage
20.6
Hype
31.9
NOISE
2025-10-17
Congress Ramps Up Pressure on Russia Ahead of Summit
Norm Erosion Only
federal · broad
Damage
1.1
Hype
11.5
Damage
0.0
Hype
3.6
NOISE
2025-09-26
Trump Says He Will Stop Israel from Annexing West Bank
international · narrow
Damage
0.0
Hype
13.8
Damage
2.0
Hype
3.1
NOISE
2025-09-20
Trump Questions US Interest in Retaking Afghan Air Base from Taliban
Policy Change
international · narrow
Damage
0.0
Hype
14.7
NOISE
2025-09-20
Administration Seeks $6 Billion Arms Sale to Israel Despite Gaza Offensive
Policy Change
international · moderate
Damage
18.2
Hype
17.1
Damage
0.0
Hype
14.9
NOISE
2025-08-23
Trump Threatens Russia Sanctions Over Ukraine Peace Talks Failure
Policy Change
international · narrow
Damage
3.5
Hype
22.1
Damage
0.3
Hype
28.9
HYPE
2025-07-19
US Imposes Visa Curbs on Brazilian Judicial Officials
Information Operation
international · narrow
Damage
16.4
Hype
35.5
0.0
Hype
2.6
HYPE
2025-06-14
Zelensky Complains U.S. Too Warm Toward Russia
international · narrow
Damage
1.1
Hype
31.7
NOISE
2025-06-14
Netanyahu Thanks Trump for Support on Birthday
international · narrow
Damage
0.0
Hype
2.1
HYPE
2025-06-14
Trump-Putin Phone Call on Middle East Tensions
international · broad
Damage
10.2
Hype
40.9
Damage
3.1
Hype
44.9
Damage
16.8
Hype
29.6