An illustration of a red caterpillar munching on a globe.
An illustration of a red caterpillar munching on a globe.
María Contreras illustration for Foreign Policy

List of The Hungry Hegemon articles

The Hungry Hegemon

Where cuisine conquers all.

Welcome to the Hungry Hegemon, a recurring feature on the politics of food. In this series, Foreign Policy’s staff writers and contributors dig into topics including dining-centered diplomacy, the economics of culinary diasporas, battles over cultural appropriation, and nativist campaigns against foreign cuisines.

The articles below take a historical, geopolitical, or economic approach to food around the world.

An illustration shows Donald Trump in a blue suit shaking hands with a manin a green pinstriped suit. Between them is a waiter uncovering a silver tray that their hands reach across.
An illustration shows Donald Trump in a blue suit shaking hands with a manin a green pinstriped suit. Between them is a waiter uncovering a silver tray that their hands reach across.

Trump Can Work Dinner Table Deals Without Leaving Home

The U.S. can lead the way in culinary diplomacy—at Mar-a-Lago.

Argument
Johanna Mendelson Forman
An illustration shows hands holding chopsticks and a spoon with a soup dumpling in it over a large blow. Inside the bowl is a Taipei cityscape with lanterns and semiconductor chips coming out of it.
An illustration shows hands holding chopsticks and a spoon with a soup dumpling in it over a large blow. Inside the bowl is a Taipei cityscape with lanterns and semiconductor chips coming out of it.

Soup Dumplings as Soft Power

Din Tai Fung has become a potent global symbol of Taiwan, at a time when the island sorely needs it.

Analysis
Rishi Iyengar
An illustration shows a white couple whispering to each other inside a fenced backyard as they grill burgers. A dog sits next to them. Passing in the background is a Haitian family.
An illustration shows a white couple whispering to each other inside a fenced backyard as they grill burgers. A dog sits next to them. Passing in the background is a Haitian family.

How Weaponizing Food Helps Trump Win Votes

From the Irish to Italians and Chinese, food has long been used to define who is—or isn’t—a “real American.”

Analysis
Fabio Parasecoli
An illustration shows Syrian-born cook Chef Omar holding a shawarma in front of a kitchen counter. Behind him are figures lining up for food at left and refugees on the move at right The building-covered skyline of Istanbul (left) and the rubble-filled skyline of Aleppo (right) are seen farther in the background.
An illustration shows Syrian-born cook Chef Omar holding a shawarma in front of a kitchen counter. Behind him are figures lining up for food at left and refugees on the move at right The building-covered skyline of Istanbul (left) and the rubble-filled skyline of Aleppo (right) are seen farther in the background.

The Influencer Chef Dividing Syria’s Diaspora

Chef Omar has popularized Damascene cuisine online and in his Istanbul restaurant. But is he linked to the Assad regime?

Dispatch
Joshua Levkowitz
A Uyghur family gathers for a meal during the Corban Festival in Xinjiang province, China.
A Uyghur family gathers for a meal during the Corban Festival in Xinjiang province, China.

China Is Trying to Remake Uyghur Kitchens

Traditional food is painted as backward and dirty—except for tourists.

Argument
Timothy Grose
A top-down view of a number of Taiwanese dishes on a dark table.
A top-down view of a number of Taiwanese dishes on a dark table.

Taiwan’s Dinner Table Diplomacy

One of the courses at Lai Ching-te’s inauguration banquet is rumored to be a playful nod to Xi Jinping.

Dispatch
Clarissa Wei