The dollar’s role as the world’s primary reserve currency allows Washington to borrow money easily and impose painful financial sanctions. But some countries are seeking alternatives.
Edgard Garrido/Reuters
Large increases in dollar reserves tend to come during periods of dollar weakness, not periods of dollar strength. That is for a simple reason: many export-heavy countries still intervene heavily in the foreign currency market to try to keep their own currencies from appreciating against the dollar. Until Asia is as willing to float up as it is to float down, the dollar isn't going anywhere as a reserve currency.
Jonathan Ernst/Reuters
Following the presidential debate, dive deeper into Donald J. Trump’s and Joe Biden’s positions on foreign policy issues.
The experiences of dozens of countries offer lessons for U.S. officials as they prepare for the presidential election during the coronavirus pandemic.
Cybersecurity
To counter Chinese and Russian visions for the global internet, the United States and its allies should form a digital trade zone, a bloc of like-minded democracies that cooperates on cyber issues and through which digital trade flows freely.
The United States and its democratic allies don't necessarily need a "clean" network but a "trusted" one where they commit to not censor traffic, agree to shared privacy protections, and strengthen mechanisms for resolving cross-border cybercrime.
Brexit
The United Kingdom and European Union are engaged in another bout of Brexit brinkmanship, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson pushing a bill that would undo their previous agreement. Here’s what to know.
Brexit supporters argue that the EU threatens sovereignty and stifles growth, while opponents counter that EU membership strengthens trade, investment, and the UK’s standing in the world.
Venezuela
Venezuela represents the Western Hemisphere’s largest humanitarian crisis. Paul J. Angelo outlines what the United States can do to help alleviate the suffering of the Venezuelan people.
The United States and its partners in the Americas have made little progress on ending the dire political and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela. Only with the cooperation of crucial partners in the European Union can the U.S. government hope to reach a resolution in the stricken South American nation.
Events
Panelists discuss threats to conducting a fair U.S. presidential election in November, including foreign interference, voter suppression, and the health risks of voting in-person during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Alyssa Ayres discusses the relationship between the United States and India–where things are, where they have been, and what's ahead.
The CFR Master Class Series is a biweekly 45-minute session hosted by Vice President and Deputy Director for Studies Shannon O’Neil in which a CFR fellow will take a step back from the news and discuss the fundamentals essential to understanding a given country, region of the world, or issue pertaining to U.S. foreign policy or international relations.
Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah discusses the challenges facing the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, including its fight against terror groups, and his country’s relationship with the United States.
Expert Spotlight
Thomas J. Bollyky
Senior Fellow for Global Health, Economics, and Development and Director of the Global Health Program
Matthew C. Waxman
Adjunct Senior Fellow for Law and Foreign Policy
Explainers
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Food and Water Security
Rising Hunger: Facing a Food-Insecure World
Global food insecurity has surged amid the coronavirus pandemic, threatening to worsen humanitarian crises and spur further mass migration.
China
China’s Approach to Global Governance
Learn about China's evolving approach to global governance and how it has shifted strategy under President Xi Jinping related to trade, the belt and road initiative, and the coronavirus pandemic.
Public Health Threats and Pandemics
The Coronavirus Pandemic, With Tom Bollyky
Thomas J. Bollyky, director of CFR’s Global Health program and senior fellow for global health, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the World Health Organization’s newly declared pandemic, COVID-19.
United States
How Police Compare in Different Democracies
Recent killings by U.S. officers have sparked widespread calls for police reform and an end to systemic racism. Here’s how U.S. policing compares with other countries’ approaches.
Global
Women’s Power Index
Find out where women around the world wield political power—and why it matters.
Featured Publications
Charles A. Kupchan mines the nation’s past to uncover the ideological and political roots of ongoing changes in U.S. foreign policy, including the sources of Donald J. Trump's “America First” doctrine.
To counter Chinese and Russian visions for the global internet, the United States and its allies should form a digital trade zone, a bloc of like-minded democracies that cooperates on cyber issues and through which digital trade flows freely.
Venezuela represents the Western Hemisphere’s largest humanitarian crisis. Paul J. Angelo outlines what the United States can do to help alleviate the suffering of the Venezuelan people.