Yemen
Khaled Abdullah/Reuters

Middle East and North Africa

Yemen’s Crisis Takes a Troubling Turn
Rare Houthi missile attacks on Abu Dhabi signal that Yemen’s war is escalating, bringing more turmoil to the crisis-stricken country. This explainer examines the conflict.

Backgrounder by Kali Robinson January 25, 2022

 

Yemeni Rebels’ Attack Leaves U.S., Allies With Few Options Link

via Los Angeles Times January 22, 2024

 

Experts React to Houthi Attacks on Abu Dhabi Link

via Atlantic Council January 24, 2022

West Africa

Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso’s Coup Bodes Ill for African Stability

RTB/Reuters
Popular support for the takeover is less about support for the military and more about the public’s desire for stability and good governance.

Blog Post by Ebenezer Obadare January 25, 2022 Africa in Transition

 

Burkina Faso Coup a Blow to France, as Sahel Military Mission Unravels Link

via Reuters January 26, 2022

Guinea

Coups Are Back in West Africa
The recent coup in Guinea is part of a resurgence of "coup culture" in West Africa.

Blog Post by John Campbell September 8, 2021 Africa in Transition

China

China

Why China’s Global Image Is Getting Worse
The Chinese government’s increasingly aggressive diplomacy has hurt its image in much of the world. It’s unlikely to improve anytime soon.

In Brief by Joshua Kurlantzick January 24, 2022

China

The Debate Over Boycotting the 2022 Beijing Olympics
The Biden administration is imposing a diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Olympics in Beijing. What could a boycott accomplish, and how might China respond?

In Brief by Lindsay Maizland December 6, 2021

 

China’s Soft Power Advantage in Africa Link

via Foreign Affairs December 23, 2021

U.S. Foreign Policy

United States

Assessing Biden’s First Year

Podcast
Richard Haass, president of the Council on Foreign Relations, sits down with James M. Lindsay to assess how the Biden administration has handled foreign policy in its first year in office.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Richard Haass January 18, 2022 The President's Inbox

 

Biden’s Pandemic Fight: Inside the Setbacks of the First Year Link

via New York Times January 23, 2022

 

Has Biden Delivered on Climate Promises? Link

via PBS January 19, 2022

Ukraine

NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)

Why NATO Has Become a Flash Point With Russia
Russian leaders have watched with mounting resentment as the transatlantic alliance has nearly doubled its membership since the end of the Cold War. President Vladimir Putin has drawn a red line in Ukraine.

Backgrounder by Jonathan Masters January 20, 2022

Ukraine

Ukraine: Conflict at the Crossroads of Europe and Russia
Ukraine has struggled to forge an independent path, torn between Europe and the United States in the West and its long-standing ties to Russia in the East.

Backgrounder by Jonathan Masters December 2, 2021

Ukraine

Global Conflict Tracker: Conflict in Ukraine

with Center for Preventive Action July 12, 2018

Immigration and Migration

United States

The Debate Over Relief for Migrants
Temporary protected status has long been used as a humanitarian solution for migrants who are unable to return home safely, but efforts to end the program have reignited the debate around U.S. immigration policy.  

Backgrounder by Diana Roy and Claire Felter January 10, 2022 Renewing America

 

America’s Border Dilemma Link

via Foreign Affairs November 23, 2021

Mexico

The U.S. Immigration Debate
Comprehensive immigration reform has eluded Congress for years, moving controversial policy decisions into the executive and judicial branches of government.

Backgrounder by Claire Felter, Danielle Renwick and Amelia Cheatham August 31, 2021 Renewing America

Events
View All

Technology and Innovation

Virtual Roundtable: Technology and the Economy

Play

Webinar with Erik Brynjolfsson and Tyler Cowen January 25, 2022 U.S. Foreign Policy Program

China

A Conversation With Representative Ami Bera

Play
Representative Ami Bera discusses Congressional views on U.S. policies toward the Indo-Pacific, including the unfolding situations in Afghanistan and Myanmar, U.S. engagement with regional actors, as well as other foreign policy priorities in the region for the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific.

Virtual Event with Ami Bera January 21, 2022

Religion

The Future of U.S.-Middle East Relations

Play

Webinar with Vali R. Nasr January 20, 2022 Religion and Foreign Policy Webinars

Economics

C. Peter McColough Series on International Economics With John C. Williams

Play
John C. Williams of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York discusses monetary policy, the continued impact of COVID-19, and the economic outlook for the year ahead. 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 the Maurice R. Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies.

Virtual Event with John C. Williams January 14, 2022

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Expert Spotlight

Robert K. Knake
Robert K. Knake

Whitney Shepardson Senior Fellow

Cybersecurity Homeland Security Digital Policy

Joshua Kurlantzick
Joshua Kurlantzick

Senior Fellow for Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia Asia Democracy

Tom Frieden
Tom Frieden

Senior Fellow for Global Health

Health Public Health Threats and Pandemics

Frieden: Seven COVID-19 Lessons for 2022

Offsite Via CNN.com December 20, 2021

Steven A. Cook
Steven A. Cook

Eni Enrico Mattei Senior Fellow for Middle East and Africa Studies and Director of the International Affairs Fellowship for Tenured International Relations Scholars

Middle East and North Africa Turkey Arab Spring

Martin S. Indyk
Martin S. Indyk

Distinguished Fellow

Middle East and North Africa Israel Egypt

In Praise of Henry Kissinger’s Middle East Legacy

Offsite Via Washington Post January 14, 2022

Robert McMahon
Robert McMahon

Managing Editor

Carla Anne Robbins
Carla Anne Robbins

Adjunct Senior Fellow

Defense and Security Cuba North Korea

The Enemy Uncounted

Via American Purpose July 30, 2021

Max Boot
Max Boot

Jeane J. Kirkpatrick Senior Fellow for National Security Studies

U.S. Foreign Policy Defense and Security Military History

David P. Fidler
David P. Fidler

Senior Fellow for Global Health and Cybersecurity

International Law Cybersecurity Health

Held to Ransom

Offsite Via Legal 500 January 19, 2022

Scott A. Snyder
Scott A. Snyder

Senior Fellow for Korea Studies and Director of the Program on U.S.-Korea Policy

North Korea South Korea Asia

Reuben E. Brigety II
Reuben E. Brigety II

Adjunct Senior Fellow for African Peace and Security Issues

Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Organizations Diplomacy and International Institutions

The Fractured Power: How to Overcome Tribalism

Via Foreign Affairs February 16, 2021

Gordon M. Goldstein
Gordon M. Goldstein

Adjunct Senior Fellow

Technology and Innovation Cybersecurity U.S. Foreign Policy

Jerome A. Cohen
Jerome A. Cohen

Adjunct Senior Fellow for Asia Studies

China Asia International Law

David Sacks
David Sacks

Research Fellow

Asia China Taiwan

Stewart M. Patrick
Stewart M. Patrick

James H. Binger Senior Fellow in Global Governance and Director of the International Institutions and Global Governance Program

Global Governance Diplomacy and International Institutions International Organizations

On Earth, in Space, and in the Virtual World, the Future Is Bleak

Offsite Via World Politics Review January 18, 2022

Justin Muzinich
Justin Muzinich

Distinguished Fellow

Economics Diplomacy and International Institutions Sanctions

Paul B. Stares
Paul B. Stares

General John W. Vessey Senior Fellow for Conflict Prevention and Director of the Center for Preventive Action

Conflict Prevention Wars and Conflict Defense and Security

Henri J. Barkey
Henri J. Barkey

Adjunct Senior Fellow for Middle East Studies

Middle East and North Africa Turkey Kurds

US Pipeline Withdrawal Marks New Chapter in Eastern Med

Offsite Via Asia Times January 25, 2022

Heidi Crebo-Rediker
Heidi Crebo-Rediker

Adjunct Senior Fellow

International Economic Policy Women and Economic Growth Infrastructure

Ray Takeyh
Ray Takeyh

Hasib J. Sabbagh Senior Fellow for Middle East Studies

Iran Iran Nuclear Agreement Persian Gulf

The Last Shah

Book January 26, 2021

Carl Minzner
Carl Minzner

Senior Fellow For China Studies

China Asia Rule of Law

Catherine Powell
Catherine Powell

Adjunct Senior Fellow for Women and Foreign Policy

Women and Women's Rights Human Rights Gender

Gayle Tzemach Lemmon
Gayle Tzemach Lemmon

Adjunct Senior Fellow for Women and Foreign Policy

Women and Women's Rights Development Emerging Markets

Jared Cohen
Jared Cohen

Adjunct Senior Fellow

Terrorism and Counterterrorism Iran Technology and Innovation

Matthew C. Waxman
Matthew C. Waxman

Adjunct Senior Fellow for Law and Foreign Policy

International Law Cybersecurity U.S. Foreign Policy

Cyberattacks and the Constitution

Via Lawfare November 12, 2020

Shannon K. O'Neil
Shannon K. O'Neil

Vice President, Deputy Director of Studies, and Nelson and David Rockefeller Senior Fellow for Latin America Studies

Trade Supply Chains Democracy

Manjari Chatterjee Miller
Manjari Chatterjee Miller

Senior Fellow for India, Pakistan, and South Asia

India Asia China

Thomas J. Bollyky
Thomas J. Bollyky

Senior Fellow for Global Health, Economics, and Development and Director of the Global Health Program

Health Trade Development

COVID-19 Pill Offers Hope But No Magic Bullet Against Pandemic

Offsite Via South China Morning Post December 30, 2021

Luciana L. Borio
Luciana L. Borio

Senior Fellow for Global Health

Public Health Threats and Pandemics Pharmaceuticals and Vaccines Biotechnology

A National Strategy for COVID-19 Medical Countermeasures

Offsite Via Journal of the American Medical Association January 6, 2022

John B. Bellinger III
John B. Bellinger III

Adjunct Senior Fellow for International and National Security Law

International Law Treaties and Agreements Sanctions

Guantanamo Bay: Twenty Years Later

Offsite Via Lawfare January 24, 2022

Alice C. Hill
Alice C. Hill

David M. Rubenstein Senior Fellow for Energy and the Environment

Climate Change Infrastructure Food and Water Security

Making Infrastructure Climate Ready: Alice Hill, Council on Foreign Relations

Offsite Via Harvard Business School Climate Rising Podcast January 19, 2022

Adam Segal
Adam Segal

Ira A. Lipman Chair in Emerging Technologies and National Security and Director of the Digital and Cyberspace Policy Program

China Cybersecurity Asia

Kenneth S. Rogoff
Kenneth S. Rogoff

Senior Fellow for Economics

International Economics Monetary Policy Digital Currencies

Paul J. Angelo
Paul J. Angelo

Fellow for Latin America Studies

Latin America Americas Central America

Angelo: Millennial Politicians Are Shaking Up Latin America

Offsite Via Washington Post January 12, 2022

Sheila A. Smith
Sheila A. Smith

John E. Merow Senior Fellow for Asia Pacific Studies

Japan Defense and Security Asia

Constitutional Change in Japan

Interactive April 4, 2019

David J. Scheffer
David J. Scheffer

Senior Fellow

Humanitarian Intervention Wars and Conflict International Law

James M. Lindsay
James M. Lindsay

Senior Vice President, Director of Studies, and Maurice R. Greenberg Chair

United States Politics and Government Polls and Public Opinion

Robert E. Rubin
Robert E. Rubin

Chairman Emeritus; Former Secretary of the U.S. Treasury

Matthias Matthijs
Matthias Matthijs

Senior Fellow for Europe

Europe Germany United Kingdom

Stephen Biddle
Stephen Biddle

Adjunct Senior Fellow for Defense Policy

Defense and Security Wars and Conflict Military Operations

Daniel Kurtz-Phelan
Daniel Kurtz-Phelan

Editor, Foreign Affairs; Peter G. Peterson Chair

China U.S. Foreign Policy

Bruce Hoffman
Bruce Hoffman

Shelby Cullom and Kathryn W. Davis Senior Fellow for Counterterrorism and Homeland Security

Terrorism and Counterterrorism Wars and Conflict Intelligence

Laura Taylor-Kale
Laura Taylor-Kale

Fellow for Innovation and Economic Competitiveness

Competitiveness Development Corporate Governance

Robert D. Blackwill
Robert D. Blackwill

Henry A. Kissinger Senior Fellow for U.S. Foreign Policy

U.S. Foreign Policy Europe and Eurasia Russia

Willem H. Buiter
Willem H. Buiter

Adjunct Senior Fellow

Budget, Debt, and Deficits Monetary Policy Financial Markets

How Green is This Debt

Offsite Via ExPro Consulting December 3, 2021

Jennifer Nuzzo
Jennifer Nuzzo

Senior Fellow for Global Health

Health Public Health Threats and Pandemics

Stephen Sestanovich
Stephen Sestanovich

George F. Kennan Senior Fellow for Russian and Eurasian Studies

Russia Europe and Eurasia U.S. Foreign Policy

Michelle Gavin
Michelle Gavin

Ralph Bunche Senior Fellow for Africa Policy Studies

Botswana South Africa Zimbabwe

View All

Explainers

Olympics
The Economics of Hosting the Olympic Games
Olympics
The Economics of Hosting the Olympic Games
Backgrounder by James McBride and Melissa Manno
The costs of hosting the Olympics have skyrocketed, while the economic benefits are far from clear. This has led to fewer states interested in playing host and a search for options to lighten the burdens of staging the big event.
Noncommunicable Diseases and COVID-19
Noncommunicable Diseases Noncommunicable Diseases and COVID-19
Interactive by Thomas J. Bollyky, Serena Tohme and Samantha Kiernan
Global Climate Agreements: Successes and Failures
Climate Change Global Climate Agreements: Successes and Failures
Backgrounder Redesign by Lindsay Maizland
Podcast Hyperventilating Over Hypersonics
China Hyperventilating Over Hypersonics
Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra, Adam Mount and Laura Grego
View All

Experts in the News

Max Boot
Link

Boot: Putin Wants to Revive the Soviet Empire With Himself at Its Head

Via NPR Morning Edition January 21, 2022

Ray Takeyh
Link

Takeyh: Iran’s Revolution Is Eating Its Own

Via Foreign Policy January 19, 2022

Thomas Graham
Link

Graham: On Russia, the U.S. Has Done Very Well on Deterrence, but It Needs to Do More on Diplomacy

Via CNN Fareed Zakaria GPS January 16, 2022

View All

Featured Publications

Economics

The Power Law
The astonishingly frank and intimate story of Silicon Valley’s dominant venture capital firms—and how their strategies and fates have shaped the path of innovation and the global economy.

Book by Sebastian Mallaby February 1, 2022 Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies

China

The World According to China
This compelling book reveals China’s ambitious new strategy to reclaim the country’s past glory and reshape the geostrategic landscape in dramatic new ways.

Book by Elizabeth C. Economy January 11, 2022 Asia Program

Middle East and North Africa

Master of the Game
A perceptive and provocative history of Henry Kissinger’s diplomatic negotiations in the Middle East that illuminates the unique challenges and barriers Kissinger and his successors have faced in their attempts to broker peace between Israel and its Arab neighbors.

Book by Martin S. Indyk October 19, 2021 Middle East Program

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