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The killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and targeted assassination of a Hezbollah military official in Beirut bring Israel and Iran, through its proxies, closer to war.
Military experience gained fighting in Syria’s civil war and generous support from Iran have made the Shiite militant group a formidable foe for Israel. But at the same time, its political clout among Lebanon’s populace may be waning.
Iran’s web of armed partners such as Hezbollah and the Houthis serves to strengthen its influence in the Middle East and could pose a significant threat to the United States and U.S. allies in the region, especially Israel.
U.S.
Existing programs that intend to address inequality have failed to mitigate growing polarization. Here’s a better approach.
Biden’s trade agenda is trying to tackle climate change, domestic jobs, and great power competition, but trade-offs are inevitable. A clear vision on priorities is essential.
Organized labor saw a historic resurgence in activity in 2023. Shifting U.S. trade policy under both Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden could continue to prioritize workers regardless of who wins in November.
Tech
Many big technology firms continue to book large offshore profits in low tax jurisdictions, particularly Ireland and Singapore.
After years of steadily increasing debt, federal spending has skyrocketed, taking U.S. debt to levels not seen since World War II.
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) has substantially reduced the domestic tax paid by American pharmaceutical giants.
Olympics
The International Olympic Committee says the games are not meant to be political. But governments and athletes have frequently used the Olympics to make statements through boycotts and protests.
French authorities are particularly vigilant of the terrorist threat to the games posed by Islamist extremists, a danger the country has endured for decades.
The costs of hosting the Olympics have skyrocketed, while the economic benefits are far from clear. The 2024 Paris Olympics could be a test of whether reforms to the process have made hosting a better deal.
Venezuela
The closely watched elections on July 28 will determine whether incumbent President Nicolás Maduro wins a third term or allows a democratic transition.
Autocrats have fumbled rigged elections in the past. Here’s why Venezuela’s might be next.
The United States should try to find out if an offer of amnesty will persuade Venezuela's dictator to permit and respect the results of a free election on July 28.
CFR mourns the passing of Martin S. Indyk, a CFR Distinguished Fellow and veteran diplomat who devoted his career to pursuing peace in the Middle East.
Events
Since conflict erupted in Sudan on April 15, 2023, between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, Sudan has become the site of the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Over 10 million people have been displaced, over half of the population needs humanitarian assistance, and over 750,000 people are facing a catastrophic level of hunger.
Panelists discuss ongoing humanitarian efforts, the challenges faced by aid workers, and potential solutions to mitigate the worsening crisis in Sudan.
Panelists discuss the Silicon Valley’s role in the future of war and whether or not the Pentagon is successfully innovating rapidly enough to keep up with the technological changes facing the military.
Copies of Unit X: How the Pentagon and Silicon Valley Are Transforming the Future of War will be available for purchase.
Jay Shambaugh discusses U.S.-China macroeconomic engagement and dialogue with Chinese leadership on overcapacity and economic imbalances.The C. Peter McColough Series on International Economics brings the world's foremost economic policymakers and scholars to address members on current topics in international economics and U.S. monetary policy. This meeting series is presented by RealEcon: Reimagining American Economic Leadership, a CFR initiative of the Maurice R. Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies. This meeting is also part of CFR’s China Strategy Initiative.For those attending virtually, log-in information and instructions on how to participate during the question and answer portion will be provided the evening before the event to those who register. Please note the audio, video, and transcript of this meeting will be posted on the CFR website.
CFR experts discuss the results of presidential elections in France and the United Kingdom, as well as what to expect from the 2024 NATO Summit in Washington, DC.
Explainers
Europe’s Migration Dilemma
Hundreds of thousands of migrants made the dangerous journey to Europe in 2023, fleeing war, poverty, and natural disasters. The increase in arrivals has fueled support for far-right political parties.
Expert Spotlight
Stephen Biddle
Adjunct Senior Fellow for Defense Policy
Jendayi E. Frazer
Adjunct Senior Fellow for Africa Studies
Sub-Saharan Africa U.S. Foreign Policy Politics and Government
Featured Publications
Robert D. Blackwill and Richard Fontaine evaluate the limitations of the Pivot to Asia and offer a compelling vision for the future of U.S. foreign policy in the Indo-Pacific.
A clear-headed vision for the United States' role in the Middle East that highlights the changing nature of U.S. national interests and the challenges of grand strategizing at a time of profound change in the international order.
Paul J. Angelo provides the first headlining case studies of Plan Colombia and the Mérida Initiative.