DIThe Distraction Index

#foreign_policy

122 events across 38 weeks

9Damage
53Hype
60Noise
8.0Avg Dmg
25.1Avg Hype
WEEK 86Aug 16 – 22
NOISE2026-08-15
Iran Diplomatic Negotiations Stalled
Damage
0.0
Hype
8.8
WEEK 85Aug 9 – 15
HYPE2026-08-10
Trump Administration Iran Negotiations and Compensation Demands
Damage
1.0
Hype
27.8
NOISE2026-08-09
Trump Administration Iran Negotiations Without Nuclear Deal Requirement
Damage
2.6
Hype
19.5
WEEK 84Aug 2 – 8
HYPE2026-08-03
Trump Threatens Iran with 'Decapitation' in Renewed Negotiations
Norm Erosion Onlyinternational · moderate
Damage
5.3
Hype
70.0
HYPE2026-08-03
Court Fight Begins Over South Africa Land Law Affecting Trump Administration
international · narrow
Damage
—
Hype
15.8
WEEK 82Jul 19 – 25
NOISE2026-07-24
Trump Administration Plans to Use Iranian Assets to Pay for Ship Damage Costs
Policy Changeinternational · narrow
Damage
0.3
Hype
13.5
DMG2026-07-24
Trump Administration Escalates Military Strikes Against Iran
Policy Changeinternational · broad
Damage
32.9
Hype
18.0
HYPE2026-07-24
Trump Claims China and Russia Not Helping Iran, Contradicting Defense Secretary Hegseth
Information Operationinternational · moderate
Damage
0.2
Hype
34.5
HYPE2026-07-24
Trump Threatens Military Action Against Iran
Policy Changeinternational · broad
Damage
46.0
Hype
53.0
NOISE2026-07-24
Trump Administration Provides $200 Million to Red Cross with Conditions on October 7 Hostages
Resource Reallocationfederal · narrow
Damage
0.3
Hype
15.8
HYPE2026-07-24
Trump Threatens Major Escalation in Iran After 13 Nights of Strikes
Policy Changeinternational · broad
Damage
27.7
Hype
30.7
NOISE2026-07-24
Trump Adds Saudi Arabia Abraham Accords Participation as Nuclear Deal Condition
Policy Changeinternational · moderate
Damage
0.4
Hype
24.5
NOISE2026-07-24
Trump Approves US Military Refueling Aircraft Deployment in Bulgaria
Policy Changeinternational · narrow
Damage
0.0
Hype
7.5
NOISE2026-07-24
Trump to Meet Zelenskyy Next Week to Discuss Ending Ukraine War
Policy Changeinternational · broad
Damage
0.0
Hype
8.0
NOISE2026-07-24
Trump Shares Limits on Nuclear Deal with Saudi Arabia
Policy Changeinternational · moderate
Damage
0.9
Hype
24.6
NOISE2026-07-23
Secretary of State Rubio Meets with Philippines President on South China Sea
Policy Changeinternational · moderate
Damage
0.0
Hype
6.5
NOISE2026-07-23
House Passes $1.15 Trillion Defense Bill with Israel Provision
Policy Changefederal · broad
Damage
0.1
Hype
17.5
HYPE2026-07-23
Trump Adds Israel Normalization Condition to Saudi Nuclear Deal
Policy Changeinternational · moderate
Damage
1.7
Hype
29.5
HYPE2026-07-23
Trump Administration Signs Commercial Nuclear Deal with Saudi Arabia
Policy Changeinternational · broad
Damage
0.3
Hype
32.4
NOISE2026-07-22
US Military Launches 11th Night of Strikes on Iran
Policy Changeinternational · broad
Damage
1.1
Hype
14.6
NOISE2026-07-22
US Sends Food Aid to Cuba Amid Crisis
Policy Changeinternational · moderate
Damage
0.0
Hype
11.2
HYPE2026-07-22
Trump Vows Strikes on Iran Over Nuclear Activity
Policy Changeinternational · broad
Damage
11.4
Hype
45.6
HYPE2026-07-22
Trump Vows to Strike Iran Over Suspected Nuclear Activity
Policy Changeinternational · broad
Damage
25.3
Hype
66.5
NOISE2026-07-22
Trump Resumes US-Lebanon Flights, Pledges Aid
Policy Changeinternational · moderate
Damage
0.0
Hype
4.2
DMG2026-07-20
Trump Orders 10th Consecutive Night of Strikes on Iran
Policy Changeinternational · moderate
Damage
26.7
Hype
14.2
NOISE2026-07-20
Lebanon Leader to Visit White House
international · narrow
Damage
0.0
Hype
4.0
HYPE2026-07-19
US Military Reports 17th Service Member Death in Iran Conflict
Policy Changeinternational · narrow
Damage
33.9
Hype
38.0
NOISE2026-07-19
17 US Service Members Killed in Iran Conflict
international · moderate
Damage
0.0
Hype
14.5
WEEK 81Jul 12 – 18
NOISE2026-07-16
More Than Half of House Democrats Vote to Cut Israel Aid
Policy Changefederal · broad
Damage
0.0
Hype
18.0
DMG2026-07-15
US Launches Second Wave of Strikes on Iran, Resumes Naval Blockade
Enforcement Actioninternational · broad
Damage
32.0
Hype
15.0
NOISE2026-07-15
US Restores Naval Blockade on Iran and Escalates Military Strikes
Enforcement Actioninternational · broad
Damage
7.3
Hype
24.5
HYPE2026-07-14
Trump Administration Escalates Military Operations Against Iran
Policy Changeinternational · broad
Damage
11.3
Hype
33.0
NOISE2026-07-12
Trump Promises Patriot Missiles to Ukraine
Policy Changeinternational · moderate
Damage
0.0
Hype
21.5
NOISE2026-07-12
Shaheen Pushes Congress to Pass Graham Russia Sanctions Bill
Policy Changefederal · narrow
Damage
0.0
Hype
12.6
HYPE2026-07-12
Trump Administration Escalates Military Strikes on Iran Over Strait of Hormuz
Enforcement Actioninternational · broad
Damage
34.5
Hype
36.5
WEEK 80Jul 5 – 11
HYPE2026-07-06
Trump Reignites Tensions with Italian PM Meloni Ahead of NATO Summit
Norm Erosion Onlyinternational · narrow
Damage
0.5
Hype
34.0
HYPE2026-07-05
Chinese Christian Pastor Released Following Trump Request
Damage
0.0
Hype
33.5
WEEK 78Jun 21 – 27
HYPE2026-06-21
Trump Comments on Strait of Hormuz Strategic Control
international · moderate
Damage
—
Hype
59.5
HYPE2026-06-21
Trump Foreign Policy Coordination with Russia and China
international · broad
Damage
—
Hype
13.0
HYPE2026-06-21
G7 Summit and International Relations
international · moderate
Damage
—
Hype
8.8
HYPE2026-06-20
Trump Suggests Cuba Could Follow Venezuela's Path
Damage
0.0
Hype
45.3
WEEK 77Jun 14 – 20
HYPE2026-06-14
Trump Announces Iran War Deal to Be Signed Sunday; Iran Disputes Timing
Policy Changeinternational · broad
Damage
5.4
Hype
67.3
WEEK 75May 31 – Jun 6
HYPE2026-06-03
NOISE: Foreign Policy and International Relations
international · narrow
Damage
—
Hype
34.3
WEEK 71May 3 – 9
NOISE2026-05-02
Trump Administration Cuba Sanctions
Policy Changeinternational · broad
Damage
0.0
Hype
21.5
WEEK 68Apr 12 – 18
HYPE2026-04-16
US Pushes Nations to Prioritize Trade Over Aid
Policy Changeinternational · moderate
Damage
0.0
Hype
31.8
HYPE2026-04-12
Trump Announces US Blockade of Strait of Hormuz
Policy Changeinternational · broad
Damage
28.2
Hype
79.3
HYPE2026-04-12
US-Iran Nuclear Negotiations Conclude Without Agreement
international · broad
Damage
—
Hype
65.3
WEEK 67Apr 5 – 11
HYPE2026-04-09
Trump Administration Turns on NATO Over Iran
Norm Erosion Onlyinternational · broad
Damage
0.0
Hype
73.0
HYPE2026-04-05
Trump Issues 48-Hour Ultimatum to Iran on Strait of Hormuz
Norm Erosion Onlyinternational · broad
Damage
15.8
Hype
60.5
WEEK 63Mar 8 – 14
NOISE2026-03-09
Noise: Trump Administration Economic and Foreign Policy Commentary
Damage
0.0
Hype
17.3
HYPE2026-03-08
Iran Escalation and Military Conflict
Damage
9.6
Hype
87.3
NOISE2026-03-08
Noise: China Economic and Political Coverage
Damage
0.0
Hype
2.8
HYPE2026-03-08
DOJ Pursues Cases Against Cuban Leaders as Trump Floats 'Friendly Takeover'
Enforcement Actioninternational · narrow
Damage
25.0
Hype
60.0
WEEK 62Mar 1 – 7
HYPE2026-03-06
Trump Administration Faces Pressure Over Iran Strikes Lack of Notice to Gulf Countries
Norm Erosion Onlyinternational · moderate
Damage
5.0
Hype
32.0
HYPE2026-03-02
NOISE: Non-Administration Foreign Policy and International News
international · narrow
Damage
—
Hype
2.8
NOISE2026-03-02
NOISE: International Iran Conflict Coverage and Analysis
Damage
0.0
Hype
81.3
WEEK 61Feb 22 – 28
HYPE2026-02-26
Rubio Defends Venezuela Ouster to Skeptical Caribbean Leaders
Policy Changeinternational · moderate
Damage
8.8
Hype
25.4
HYPE2026-02-24
US Warns Ukraine Against Hitting US Interests in Russia Strikes
Policy Changeinternational · moderate
Damage
18.5
Hype
29.2
NOISE2026-02-24
Senate Democrats Criticize Trump on Russia Sanctions
Norm Erosion Onlyfederal · narrow
Damage
1.1
Hype
18.6
NOISE2026-02-23
Trump Warns Countries on Trade Deal Compliance
Policy Changeinternational · broad
Damage
2.2
Hype
21.4
NOISE2026-02-23
State Department Orders Diplomat Evacuation from Lebanon
Policy Changeinternational · moderate
Damage
0.0
Hype
19.0
HYPE2026-02-23
Trump Administration Scrutinizes Foreign Funding of Universities
Enforcement Actionfederal · moderate
Damage
11.9
Hype
27.2
NOISE2026-02-23
Rubio Visits Caribbean to Reassert US Interests
Policy Changeinternational · moderate
Damage
0.0
Hype
11.1
DMG2026-02-21
Trump Escalates Iran Military Tensions
Policy Changeinternational · broad
Damage
47.8
Hype
25.5
NOISE2025-04-09
Trump Signs Executive Order Easing Weapons Exports
Policy Changefederal · broad
Damage
23.1
Hype
17.2
WEEK 60Feb 15 – 21
NOISE2026-02-19
JPMorgan in Talks to Bank Trump's Board of Peace
Norm Erosion Onlyfederal · narrow
Damage
6.2
Hype
20.4
HYPE2026-02-15
Rubio Munich Security Conference Speech on European Alliance
Norm Erosion Onlyinternational · moderate
Damage
0.0
Hype
34.8
NOISE2025-10-23
Trump Supporters Uneasy About Military Actions Against Venezuela
Norm Erosion Onlyinternational · narrow
Damage
1.4
Hype
9.7
DMG2025-10-15
Trump Administration Authorizes Covert CIA Action in Venezuela
Policy Changeinternational · broad
Damage
33.2
Hype
20.5
WEEK 59Feb 8 – 14
HYPE2026-02-12
Trump Administration Energy Secretary Visits Venezuela for Oil Industry Assessment
Policy Changeinternational · moderate
Damage
1.8
Hype
30.8
DMG2026-02-07
Trump Uses Military Leaders for Diplomatic Efforts on Iran and Ukraine
Personnel Captureinternational · broad
Damage
28.1
Hype
23.1
NOISE2026-02-07
Netanyahu Meets Trump on Iran Negotiations
international · moderate
Damage
0.0
Hype
9.1
DMG2026-02-07
US Sets June Deadline for Ukraine-Russia Peace Agreement
Policy Changeinternational · broad
Damage
46.0
Hype
26.6
NOISE2026-02-07
Iran Sees Diplomatic Opening with US but Rejects Nuclear Curbs
international · moderate
Damage
0.0
Hype
9.3
HYPE2026-02-07
Iran Vows to Target US Bases if Attacked
international · moderate
Damage
2.5
Hype
27.6
NOISE2026-02-07
Trump Hosts Honduras President at Mar-a-Lago
international · narrow
Damage
6.0
Hype
18.7
NOISE2026-02-07
US Imposes Oil Supply Blockade on Cuba
Policy Changeinternational · broad
Damage
21.5
Hype
17.3
HYPE2026-02-07
Trump Board of Peace Holds First Meeting
Personnel Capturefederal · broad
Damage
15.4
Hype
30.2
WEEK 58Feb 1 – 7
NOISE2026-02-05
Iran and US Agree to Nuclear Talks in Oman
Policy Changeinternational · broad
Damage
0.0
Hype
11.2
NOISE2026-02-05
Cuba Says Ready to Talk to US on Non-Regime Change Terms
Policy Changeinternational · moderate
Damage
0.0
Hype
3.1
NOISE2026-02-05
Trump Administration National Security Strategy Questioned
Policy Changefederal · broad
Damage
0.0
Hype
12.7
WEEK 56Jan 18 – 24
HYPE2026-01-23
Jared Kushner Presents Trump-Backed Master Plan for Post-War Gaza
Policy Changeinternational · moderate
Damage
10.1
Hype
28.5
HYPE2026-01-23
Trump Warns of Massive Armada Heading Toward Iran
Policy Changeinternational · narrow
Damage
18.5
Hype
30.8
WEEK 53Dec 28 – Jan 3
NOISE2026-01-01
US Imposes Sanctions on Venezuelan Oil Firms and Tankers
Policy Changeinternational · narrow
Damage
0.5
Hype
3.1
WEEK 52Dec 21 – 27
HYPE2025-12-25
Trump Administration Appoints Greenland Envoy
Norm Erosion Onlyinternational · narrow
Damage
1.3
Hype
32.0
WEEK 50Dec 7 – 13
NOISE2025-12-11
House Rebukes Trump on Foreign Policy, Backs Europe
Norm Erosion Onlyinternational · moderate
Damage
2.3
Hype
14.3
WEEK 47Nov 16 – 22
NOISE2025-11-21
Trump Administration Reshapes State Department Human Rights Report
Policy Changefederal · broad
Damage
18.9
Hype
15.7
WEEK 46Nov 9 – 15
HYPE2025-11-14
Trump Briefed on Updated Military Options in Venezuela
Policy Changeinternational · moderate
Damage
18.4
Hype
29.1
WEEK 45Nov 2 – 8
DMG2025-11-07
UN Approves US-Backed Effort to Lift Sanctions on Syria President
Policy Changeinternational · broad
Damage
48.0
Hype
30.6
WEEK 42Oct 12 – 18
NOISE2025-10-17
Venezuela Rejects US Plan for Maduro to Gradually Relinquish Power
Policy Changeinternational · moderate
Damage
0.0
Hype
10.9
HYPE2025-10-17
Panama President Says US Embassy Threatened Visa Cancellations Over China Ties
Policy Changeinternational · narrow
Damage
5.6
Hype
27.9
NOISE2025-10-17
Congress Ramps Up Pressure on Russia Ahead of Summit
Norm Erosion Onlyfederal · broad
Damage
1.1
Hype
11.5
HYPE2025-10-17
Trump Plans Meeting with Putin in Hungary After Zelenskyy Meeting
Policy Changeinternational · broad
Damage
20.6
Hype
31.9
DMG2025-10-17
Trump Approves Covert CIA Action in Venezuela
Policy Changeinternational · moderate
Damage
24.4
Hype
17.3
WEEK 39Sep 21 – 27
NOISE2025-09-26
Trump Hints at F-35 Jet Sales to Turkey in Exchange for Ending Russian Oil Purchases
Policy Changeinternational · narrow
Damage
11.2
Hype
17.4
NOISE2025-09-26
Trump Holds Talks with Pakistan Prime Minister
international · narrow
Damage
0.0
Hype
3.6
NOISE2025-09-26
Trump Says He Will Stop Israel from Annexing West Bank
international · narrow
Damage
0.0
Hype
13.8
WEEK 38Sep 14 – 20
NOISE2025-09-20
Trump Questions US Interest in Retaking Afghan Air Base from Taliban
Policy Changeinternational · narrow
Damage
0.0
Hype
14.7
NOISE2025-09-20
Trump Welcomes Turkish President Erdogan, Discusses Warplane Dispute
Policy Changeinternational · narrow
Damage
2.0
Hype
3.1
NOISE2025-09-20
Administration Seeks $6 Billion Arms Sale to Israel Despite Gaza Offensive
Policy Changeinternational · moderate
Damage
18.2
Hype
17.1
HYPE2025-09-20
Trump Announces Plans to Visit China and Discusses TikTok Progress
Policy Changeinternational · narrow
Damage
7.5
Hype
29.7
WEEK 34Aug 17 – 23
HYPE2025-08-23
Trump Administration Takes Aggressive Cartel Action
Enforcement Actioninternational · moderate
Damage
20.8
Hype
28.6
NOISE2025-08-23
Trump Threatens Russia Sanctions Over Ukraine Peace Talks Failure
Policy Changeinternational · narrow
Damage
3.5
Hype
22.1
NOISE2025-08-23
Trump Claims Credit for Multiple Ceasefires
Information Operationinternational · narrow
Damage
0.0
Hype
14.9
WEEK 33Aug 10 – 16
HYPE2025-08-16
Trump-Putin Alaska Summit on Ukraine War
international · broad
Damage
15.6
Hype
57.5
WEEK 29Jul 13 – 19
NOISE2025-07-19
Trump Administration Examines Foreign Policy Approach
international · broad
Damage
0.0
Hype
4.7
HYPE2025-07-19
Trump Administration Secures Release of 10 Americans in Venezuela Prisoner Swap
international · narrow
Damage
0.3
Hype
28.9
HYPE2025-07-19
US Imposes Visa Curbs on Brazilian Judicial Officials
Information Operationinternational · narrow
Damage
16.4
Hype
35.5
WEEK 27Jun 29 – Jul 5
NOISE2025-07-05
Trump Claims Ceasefire Deal Near in Gaza
international · broad
Damage
0.0
Hype
15.1
WEEK 25Jun 15 – 21
NOISE2025-06-14
Israel Thanks Trump for Support on Iran Conflict
international · narrow
Damage
0.0
Hype
2.6
NOISE2025-06-14
Netanyahu Thanks Trump for Support on Birthday
international · narrow
Damage
0.0
Hype
2.1
HYPE2025-06-14
Trump-Putin Phone Call on Middle East Tensions
international · broad
Damage
10.2
Hype
40.9
HYPE2025-06-14
Zelensky Complains U.S. Too Warm Toward Russia
international · narrow
Damage
1.1
Hype
31.7
HYPE2025-06-14
Trump Discusses Middle East Tensions with Putin
international · broad
Damage
5.8
Hype
31.0
WEEK 23Jun 1 – 7
NOISE2025-06-07
Defense Secretary Hegseth Issues Warning on China-Taiwan Threat
Norm Erosion Onlyinternational · broad
Damage
0.0
Hype
18.4
WEEK 20May 11 – 17
NOISE2025-05-17
Ukraine Peace Talks Achieve Little Beyond Prisoner Swap Pledge
Damage
0.0
Hype
2.2
NOISE2025-05-17
Trump Makes Accurate Prediction About Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks
Damage
0.0
Hype
4.2
WEEK 15Apr 6 – 12
NOISE2025-04-07
Trump-Netanyahu Meeting on Gaza, Tariffs, and Iran
international · moderate
Damage
0.0
Hype
10.3
HYPE2025-04-05
Trump Administration Pursues Ukraine-Russia Peace Deal
international · moderate
Damage
3.1
Hype
44.9
WEEK 5Jan 26 – Feb 1
NOISE2025-02-01
Trump Administration Tightens Cuba Policy
Policy Changeinternational · moderate
Damage
0.3
Hype
10.9
HYPE2025-02-01
Trump Claims Potential Breakthrough with Putin on Ukraine War
Policy Changeinternational · broad
Damage
16.8
Hype
29.6
WEEK 4Jan 19 – 25
NOISE2025-01-24
Secretary of State Rubio Plans First Trip to Panama
international · narrow
Damage
0.0
Hype
6.7