The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) wraps its seventy-fifth summit, pledging to keep Ukraine on an “irreversible” path to membership while concerns grow about the future of U.S. commitment; Japan hosts the tenth Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting to counter China’s influence in the region; France struggles to form a government as party differences intensify; and President-Elect Masoud Pezeshkian raises hopes for possible change in Iran.   

Mentioned on the Podcast

A Conversation With Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen of Denmark, Council on Foreign Relations

Emmanuel Macron, “A Letter to the French People,” Le Parisien

Pacific Aid Map, Lowy Institute

Ray Takeyh, “What Could Change Under Iran’s New ‘Reformist’ President?,” CFR.org

Washington Summit Declaration, NATO 

Sarah Wheaton, “Orbán’s Humble Pie,” Politico

For an episode transcript and show notes, visit The World Next Week at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/nato-and-ukraine-beyond-75-japan-hosts-pacific-islands-frances-political-gridlock-and-more