What in the World?

Test yourself on the week of Aug. 15: Trump praises Kim Jong Un, the U.S. and Iran miss a deadline, and the U.K. shrugs off Russian threats. Corgi dogs take part in a 50-meter race during Corgi Race Vilnius in Vingis Park in Vilnius, Lithuania. Corgi dogs take part in a 50-meter race during Corgi Race Vilnius in Vingis Park in Vilnius, Lithuania, on Aug. 15. Petras Malukas/AFP via Getty Images Politics August 21, 2026, 1:20 PM Fresh off summer vacation? Find out if you kept up with this week’s headlines with our international news quiz! Have feedback? Email [email protected] to let me know your thoughts. Fresh off summer vacation? Find out if you kept up with this week’s headlines with our international news quiz! 1. U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday expressed displeasure at U.S.-South Korea military drills set to begin this week. In a social media post, how did Trump describe North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un? Trump is one of the most consequential presidents in U.S. history. Unfortunately, almost all of his actions have been harmful, FP’s Stephen M. Walt argues. 2. The United States and Iran missed their 60-day deadline on Monday to reach a deal to do what? As the war drags on, the White House is continuing to adjust its war aims. The administration’s latest proposal, from Vice President J.D. Vance, is simply to lower oil and gas prices for U.S. consumers, FP’s Keith Johnson writes. 3. The United Kingdom vowed on Tuesday to continue aiding Ukraine in its war against Russia, one day after the Russian Embassy in London threatened the country for supplying Kyiv with what? Ukraine’s drone strikes deep inside Russian territory have brought the war home to average Russians, disrupting both military and civilian supply chains, Alexey Kovalev wrote in July. 4. Where did Pakistan’s Supreme Court order imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan be sent in a decision issued on Tuesday? The order follows weeks of concern from Khan’s family and supporters over his deteriorating health, FP’s Michael Kugelman reports in South Asia Brief. 5. Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday said Latin American countries should demonstrate “autonomy” during a meeting with which Latin American leader? Although Noboa is a close Trump ally, his weeklong trip to China shows that Ecuador is still reliant on economic cooperation with Beijing, FP’s Catherine Osborn writes in Latin America Brief. 6. Following President Hakainde Hichilema’s election victory in Zambia last week, the United Nations human rights chief said on Wednesday that he was concerned about what happening in the country? The outcome will allow Hichilema, who has faced backlash for tightening press freedoms, to continue his plan for electricity expansion and critical minerals mining, FP’s Nosmot Gbadamosi reports in Africa Brief. 7. News reports on Wednesday indicated that the Trump administration plans to send $206 million to Gaza for what purpose? One major problem with the proposed funding is that the stabilization force does not yet exist, FP’s John Haltiwanger and Rishi Iyengar write in Situation Report. 8. A Chinese court sentenced Evergrande founder Hui Ka Yan to life in prison on Thursday after he pleaded guilty in April to charges related to what? Evergrande was one of China’s fastest-growing property developers until it collapsed under more than $300 billion worth of debt in 2021, FP’s Alexandra Sharp reports in World Brief. 9. Lithuania hosted its fifth annual corgi race on Saturday, which for the first time included a canine from which country? Duke did not participate in the main race due to his “stately age,” though he did compete for loudest bark, The Associated Press reports. 10. Which global music superstar pledged on Monday to help rebuild 10 schools and a damaged university in Colombia, following a devastating earthquake in that country last week? Alongside the Howard G. Buffett foundation, Shakira’s Fundación Pies Descalzos will work to rebuild the schools, while the singer said she would focus her “personal efforts” on reconstructing the damaged university, The Associated Press reports. You scored It’s a big world out there! Brush up on global goings-on by subscribing to World Brief, Foreign Policy’s flagship daily newsletter. You scored Perfection! You’re a pro who needs the in-depth insights offered in Situation Report, our newsletter on national security and defense. Have feedback? Email [email protected] to let me know your thoughts. Politics Drew Gorman is a deputy copy editor at Foreign Policy. 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