The Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies is Stanford University’s hub for nonpartisan, interdisciplinary research, teaching and policy impact in international affairs.

Welcome to the FSI Policy Roundup for April 2026. This monthly series highlights our scholars' analyses on pressing policy issues around the globe.

Read the articles, register for the events, and listen to the latest episode of our World Class podcast, which examines how the U.S. can prevent a war with China over Taiwan.

Take a deep dive using the links below, and let us know what you think by replying to this email.

Opioid Use Disorder of Any Severity Is Associated with Increased Suicidality by Keith Humphreys

Kim’s Dangerous Liaisons: Russia, China, and the Growing North Korea Threat by Oriana Skylar Mastro

Viktor Orbán’s Loss Matters Far Beyond Hungary by Michael McFaul

The Iran Wars: History, Ideology, and Prospects for Peace by Abbas Milani

How South Korea Can Buy Alliance Insurance by Daniel Sneider

Divisions at Home, Broken Promises Abroad? How Domestic Politics Shapes the United States’ Nuclear Credibility by Lauren Sukin

The Middle East after the Iran War

May 13, 2026 | 12:00 - 1:15pm  
REGISTER

The Indo-Pacific Policy Lab Launch

May 14 - 15, 2026 | 1:00 - 4:40pm
REGISTER

On the World Class podcast, Eyck Freymann shares his plan for how the U.S. can leverage its military, economy, technology, and diplomacy to prevent a war with China over Taiwan. LISTEN HERE

Scholars from the Stanford Rural Education Action Program exchanged perspectives and explored pathways for scaling interventions to improve child development in rural China. READ MORE