September 13, 2026

Good morning! Today is Sunday, September 13th 2026, and this is The American Conservative's Morning Brief. Amid record-low approval for President Trump's foreign policy, Luke Nicastro argues the administration has quietly succeeded in the Indo-Pacific, pursuing strategic stability with China through realism, rapprochement, and Elbridge Colby's balance of denial defense and active diplomacy. As the Iran War enters its 197th day, Trump has rebuffed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's push for strikes on the Houthis, even as the Iran-backed group seizes strategic territory near the Bab al-Mandab Strait and gasoline prices climb to $4.31 a gallon. and now for the details. We begin with a look at one bright spot in an otherwise troubled foreign policy landscape. A Quinnipiac poll released last week found just 33 percent of Americans approve of President Trump's handling of foreign affairs, the worst figure of either term. More than six months of war with Iran, a spiraling trade fight with Canada, ongoing bloodshed in Ukraine, and a hardening posture in Latin America have all taken their toll. But writing for The American Conservative, Luke Nicastro argues there is one region where the administration has quietly succeeded, and that is the Indo-Pacific. Nicastro reports that the White House is pursuing what its National Defense Strategy calls a "decent peace" with China, deemphasizing security provocations, expanding military-to-military dialogue, and shifting the frame of the relationship toward economics. He credits Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby, a committed realist, with balancing diplomatic engagement against a strong denial defense along the first island chain. Jennifer Kavanagh of Defense Priorities told Nicastro that Trump has made "very positive moves" by prioritizing stability over confrontation. A tariff truce is holding, and Xi Jinping is expected to visit the United States later this month. Not everyone is satisfied. The New York Times editorial board has accused the president of going wobbly. And analysts Nicastro spoke with warn that 80,000 U.S. troops near China's shores may still preclude lasting stability, and that a future administration may reverse course on Taiwan. Still, Nicastro concludes, the approach marks a dramatic improvement, rooted in Trump's willingness to treat Beijing as a geopolitical peer with legitimate interests. Turning to the Middle East, the Iran War has entered its 197th day. Andrew Day reports that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in two phone calls Thursday, urged President Trump to launch strikes against the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen. According to Axios, Trump declined, though the commander of U.S. Central Command traveled to Saudi Arabia for meetings. Speaking to reporters Saturday, Trump said the Houthis "called us, and they don't want to fight with us," and offered assurances that things will "work out fine and dandy." The stakes on the ground are rising. Day reports that the Houthis have seized strategic territory near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a critical chokepoint for global trade and energy. With Iran already restricting traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, Houthi control of the Bab al-Mandab would give Tehran additional leverage. The Saudi Energy Ministry has also shut down its East-West oil pipeline after drone attacks launched from Iraq. Gulf Arab states are set to meet with Iran in Oman on Monday to discuss the Hormuz situation. Meanwhile, in a September 11th commemoration ceremony, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth linked the terror attacks to the ongoing war, vowing that "we will finish this fight." The cost at home is measurable at the pump. The average price of gasoline in America stood at $4.31 per gallon Saturday, up from $2.98 before the war began. Those are today's highlights. For the full stories and more, visit theamericanconservative.com. Thank you for starting your morning with us.