The president’s unique approach to foreign policy placed him at the center of many of the biggest international stories of the year. In June, the conflict risked becoming a regional war, after Israel launched an attack on Iran, targeting its nuclear program. No longer sure they can rely on the U.S. for security, many European nations bolstered their defense spending in 2025. A new pope: Trump visits the VaticanThis year was also an emotional one for the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics. In 2025, there were horrific reports of mass killings, including an April attack by paramilitary forces on a famine-stricken camp.

Source: International New York Times December 29, 2025 15:50 UTC