China
Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

China

Biden’s Grand China Strategy: Eloquent but Inadequate
The Biden administration’s freshly announced China strategy offers a welcome change in tone but few new policies.

In Brief by Ian Johnson May 27, 2022

Indo-Pacific

The Quad Is Getting More Ambitious in the Indo-Pacific
The leaders of the United States, Australia, India, and Japan held their fourth Quad meeting in May. After a year dedicated to fighting the pandemic, here’s what they pledged to take on next.

In Brief by Sheila A. Smith May 27, 2022

China

The History of U.S.-China Relations
Since 1949, U.S.-China relations have evolved from tense standoffs to a complex mix of intensifying diplomacy, growing international rivalry, and increasingly intertwined economies.

Timeline by CFR.org Editors March 23, 2022

Colombia

Colombia

Colombia’s Presidential Election: What to Know

Sebastian Barros/Long Visual Press/Universal Images Group/Getty Images
The May 29 vote might deliver the country’s first left-wing president, which could transform economic policy, peace negotiations, and foreign relations.

In Brief by Diana Roy May 17, 2022

 

Why Colombia’s Election Has Voters Looking Left Link

via Washington Post May 26, 2022

Colombia

U.S.-Colombia Relations
Over the two centuries since Colombia’s independence, the relationship between Washington and Bogota has evolved into a close economic and security partnership. But it has at times been strained by U.S. intervention, Cold War geopolitics, and the war on drugs.

Timeline by Diana Roy March 25, 2022

Ukraine

Ukraine

Ukraine Should Wait on Cease-Fire Talks
Ukraine has rejected recent calls by the West for it to settle its war with Russia. Ukrainian leaders believe they have a chance to reclaim territory lost in the early fighting—and that they can do so before serious negotiations begin.

In Brief by Stephen Sestanovich May 24, 2022

 

Ukraine’s Way Out Link

with Charles A. Kupchan via The Atlantic May 24, 2022

Ukraine

Ukraine: Conflict at the Crossroads of Europe and Russia
Ukraine’s Westward drift since independence has been countered by the sometimes violent tug of Russia, felt most recently with Putin’s 2022 invasion.

Backgrounder by Jonathan Masters April 1, 2022

Taiwan

Taiwan

What Biden’s Big Shift on Taiwan Means
In moving away from strategic ambiguity, Biden made a long overdue adjustment to U.S. policy.

Blog Post by David Sacks May 24, 2022 Asia Unbound

Taiwan

Why China-Taiwan Relations Are So Tense
Differences over Taiwan’s status have fueled rising tensions between the island and the mainland. Conflict over Taiwan also has the potential to be a flash point in U.S.-China relations.

Backgrounder by Lindsay Maizland May 26, 2022

 

A Fight Over Taiwan Could Go Nuclear Link

via Foreign Affairs May 20, 2022

Asia

South Korea

Strengthening the U.S.-South Korea Alliance
Presidents Biden and Yoon pledged to deepen and broaden the scope of the U.S.-South Korea alliance, but their success could depend on how China, Japan, and North Korea respond.

In Brief by Scott A. Snyder May 23, 2022

Asia

Biden’s Asia Trip: What to Expect

Podcast
Sheila A. Smith, CFR’s John E. Merow senior fellow for Asia-Pacific studies, and Scott A. Snyder, senior fellow for Korea studies and director of the program on U.S.-Korea policy at CFR, sit down with James M. Lindsay to discuss what to expect from U.S. President Joe Biden’s upcoming trip to Japan and South Korea.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay, Sheila A. Smith and Scott A. Snyder May 17, 2022 The President's Inbox

 

North Korea’s COVID-19 Crisis: An Impossible Outbreak in the ‘Impossible State’ Link

via Think Global Health May 19, 2022

Australia

Australia

Australia’s Political Earthquake
How will Australia's election result affect the region, including U.S.-China competition?

Blog Post by James Curran May 23, 2022 Asia Unbound

Diplomacy and International Institutions

What Is the AUKUS Pact?

Podcast
Michael Fullilove, executive director of the Lowy Institute in Sydney, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the trilateral security agreement that Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States signed in September 2021, and the broader state of affairs in the Indo-Pacific.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Michael Fullilove November 16, 2021 The President's Inbox

 

Australia’s ‘Climate Election’ Finally Arrived. Will It Be Enough? Link

via New York Times May 22, 2022

Events
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Ukraine

Virtual Roundtable: In Defense of a Democracy: Prosecuting Russian Aggression Against Ukraine

Play

Webinar with Oona A. Hathaway and Claus Kreß May 25, 2022

Climate Change

Solar Reflection and Reducing Climate Risk

Play

Webinar with Stewart M. Patrick May 24, 2022 Local Journalists Webinars

Military Operations

A Conversation With Adam Smith

Play
U.S. Representative Adam Smith, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, discusses the future of U.S. foreign policy and defense priorities, congressional initiatives designed to strengthen U.S. national security, and the implications of Ukraine’s resistance to Russia’s invasion.

Virtual Event with Adam Smith May 23, 2022

Military Operations

CFR Term Member Spotlight Series: Asha Castleberry-Hernandez

Play
Welcome to a new series that spotlights individuals within the Stephen M. Kellen Term Member Program. Drawing on the enormous amount of talent and expertise within the Council’s Term Member Program, this series features a term member in conversation with a fellow term member discussing their career path, how they got to where they are, the challenges they have faced along the way, and the current work they are doing. We hope this regular series will provide an opportunity for Council term members to better engage and learn from one another, draw upon shared experiences within the group, and connect across geographies. This installment in this series features third-year term member Asha Castleberry-Hernandez, senior advisor in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs at the U.S. Department of State and major in the U.S. Army Reserve, in conversation with second-year term member Brian Mateo, associate dean of civic engagement for Bard College. For those of you who do not know her yet, Asha is a distinguished national security expert whose career includes serving as the Kuwait desk officer at U.S. Army Central, working on security cooperation with the Office of Military Cooperation and the Kuwait Ministry of Defense, and senior key leadership engagement officer for Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq and Kuwait. During the Obama administration, Asha served at the U.S. Mission at the United Nations working peacekeeping operations in Africa. In 2020, Asha ran as a Democratic candidate for Congress in New York District 17. In addition to her work in government, she is a founder of Diversity in National Security Network, board member of Women of Color Advancing Peace, Security, and Conflict Transformation, and international strategy fellow with Schmidt Futures.

Virtual Event with Asha C. Castleberry-Hernandez May 19, 2022

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Expert Spotlight

Jennifer Hillman
Jennifer Hillman

Senior Fellow for Trade and International Political Economy

Trade World Trade Organization (WTO) NAFTA

Justin Muzinich
Justin Muzinich

Distinguished Fellow

Economics Diplomacy and International Institutions Sanctions

Jerome A. Cohen
Jerome A. Cohen

Adjunct Senior Fellow for Asia Studies

China Asia International Law

The Complexities of China’s Struggle For Justice

Offsite Via The Diplomat May 12, 2022

Catherine Powell
Catherine Powell

Adjunct Senior Fellow for Women and Foreign Policy

Women and Women's Rights Human Rights Gender

Michelle Gavin
Michelle Gavin

Ralph Bunche Senior Fellow for Africa Policy Studies

Botswana South Africa Zimbabwe

Sheila A. Smith
Sheila A. Smith

John E. Merow Senior Fellow for Asia-Pacific Studies

Japan Defense and Security Asia

David Sacks
David Sacks

Research Fellow

Asia China Taiwan

Jared Cohen
Jared Cohen

Adjunct Senior Fellow

Terrorism and Counterterrorism Iran Technology and Innovation

Farah Pandith
Farah Pandith

Adjunct Senior Fellow

Radicalization and Extremism Terrorism and Counterterrorism U.S. Foreign Policy

Did we win the war on terrorism?

Via Monocle September 11, 2021

Daniel Kurtz-Phelan
Daniel Kurtz-Phelan

Editor, Foreign Affairs; Peter G. Peterson Chair

China U.S. Foreign Policy

Benn Steil
Benn Steil

Senior Fellow and Director of International Economics

International Finance Financial Markets Economics

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

Roger W. Ferguson Jr.
Roger W. Ferguson Jr.

Steven A. Tananbaum Distinguished Fellow for International Economics

Monetary Policy Fiscal Policy Regulation and Deregulation

Sebastian Mallaby
Sebastian Mallaby

Paul A. Volcker Senior Fellow for International Economics

Monetary Policy International Finance Globalization

Can the Fed pop bubbles before they go bad?

Offsite Via The Washington Post May 16, 2022

Richard Haass
Richard Haass

President, Council on Foreign Relations

U.S. Foreign Policy International Relations

Martin S. Indyk
Martin S. Indyk

Distinguished Fellow

Middle East and North Africa Israel Egypt

Learning from History: Henry Kissinger's Statecraft

Offsite Via INSS Israel March 29, 2022

John B. Bellinger III
John B. Bellinger III

Adjunct Senior Fellow for International and National Security Law

International Law Treaties and Agreements Sanctions

2022 Annual Meeting

Offsite Via The American Law Institute May 17, 2022

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

Gordon M. Goldstein
Gordon M. Goldstein

Adjunct Senior Fellow

Technology and Innovation Cybersecurity 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

U.S. Hostage Policy Doesn’t Deter Terrorists

Offsite Via The Hill April 26, 2022

Stephen Sestanovich
Stephen Sestanovich

George F. Kennan Senior Fellow for Russian and Eurasian Studies

Russia Europe and Eurasia U.S. Foreign Policy

Carl Minzner
Carl Minzner

Senior Fellow For China Studies

China Asia Rule of Law

China’s Doomed Fight Against Demographic Decline

Offsite Via Foreign Affairs May 3, 2022

Joshua Kurlantzick
Joshua Kurlantzick

Senior Fellow for Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia Asia Democracy

Kenneth I. Juster
Kenneth I. Juster

Distinguished Fellow

India International Economics U.S. Foreign Policy

It’s Time for America and India to Talk Trade

Offsite Via Foreign Affairs April 14, 2022

Max Boot
Max Boot

Jeane J. Kirkpatrick Senior Fellow for National Security Studies

U.S. Foreign Policy Defense and Security Military History

The Buffalo shooter’s views are mainstream on the right

Offsite Via Washington Post May 15, 2022

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

GCT: Ukraine

Offsite Via Global Conflict Tracker January 20, 2022

David J. Scheffer
David J. Scheffer

Senior Fellow

Humanitarian Intervention Wars and Conflict International Law

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

Paul J. Angelo
Paul J. Angelo

Fellow for Latin America Studies

Latin America Americas Central America

Episode 69. Chinese Influence in South America

Offsite Via The Red Line May 16, 2022

Ray Takeyh
Ray Takeyh

Hasib J. Sabbagh Senior Fellow for Middle East Studies

Iran Iran Nuclear Agreement Persian Gulf

Saving the Ayatollahs

Offsite Via National Review March 31, 2022

Tom Frieden
Tom Frieden

Senior Fellow for Global Health

Health Public Health Threats and Pandemics

Yascha Mounk
Yascha Mounk

Senior Fellow

Democracy Populism Civil Society

Charles A. Kupchan
Charles A. Kupchan

Senior Fellow

European Union NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) Europe and Eurasia

Thomas J. Bollyky
Thomas J. Bollyky

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

Health Trade Development

Oral Rehydration Salts, Cholera, and the Unfinished Urban Health Agenda

Offsite Via Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease April 29, 2022

Robert D. Blackwill
Robert D. Blackwill

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

U.S. Foreign Policy Europe and Eurasia Russia

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

Ukraine’s War Is Erdogan’s Opportunity

Offsite Via Foreign Policy May 18, 2022

Robert McMahon
Robert McMahon

Managing Editor

Alice C. Hill
Alice C. Hill

David M. Rubenstein Senior Fellow for Energy and the Environment

Climate Change Infrastructure Food and Water Security

Top 5 Books in International Affairs: May 2022

Offsite Via Medium May 13, 2022

David P. Fidler
David P. Fidler

Senior Fellow for Global Health and Cybersecurity

International Law Cybersecurity Health

Guns, Germs, and Gases

Offsite Via Think Global Health February 24, 2022

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

Stephen Biddle
Stephen Biddle

Adjunct Senior Fellow for Defense Policy

Defense and Security Wars and Conflict Military Operations

Manjari Chatterjee Miller
Manjari Chatterjee Miller

Senior Fellow for India, Pakistan, and South Asia

India Asia China

Biden trip may benefit Taiwan: Experts

Offsite Via Taipei Times May 22, 2022

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

Kenneth S. Rogoff
Kenneth S. Rogoff

Senior Fellow for Economics

International Economics Monetary Policy Digital Currencies

A. Michael Spence
A. Michael Spence

Distinguished Visiting Fellow

Development Emerging Markets Inequality

Ebenezer Obadare
Ebenezer Obadare

Douglas Dillon Senior Fellow for Africa Studies

Nigeria Sub-Saharan Africa Religion

Matthias Matthijs
Matthias Matthijs

Senior Fellow for Europe

Europe European Union NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)

Ian Johnson
Ian Johnson

Stephen A. Schwarzman Senior Fellow for China Studies

China Civil Society Democracy

View All

Explainers

Border and Port Security
Timeline: U.S.-Mexico Relations
Border and Port Security
Timeline: U.S.-Mexico Relations
Timeline by Brianna Lee
The neighbors have developed rich diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties but at times clashed over borders, migration, trade, and an escalating drug war.
Growing Up and Moving Out: The Critical Link Between Health and Migration
Immigration and Migration Growing Up and Moving Out: The Critical Link Between Health and Migration
Article by Thomas J. Bollyky, Nick Graetz, Joseph L. Dieleman and Samantha Kiernan
Understanding Sharia
Middle East and North Africa Understanding Sharia
Backgrounder Redesign by Kali Robinson
What Is the U.S. Federal Reserve?
Monetary Policy What Is the U.S. Federal Reserve?
Backgrounder Redesign by James McBride and Anshu Siripurapu
View All

Experts in the News

Sheila A. Smith
Link

Smith: We Should Not Expect All Four Members of the Quad to Agree on Everything

Via C-SPAN Washington Today May 24, 2022

David Sacks
Link

Sacks: China Views Taiwan as a Renegade Province

Via CBS News May 23, 2022

Charles A. Kupchan
Link

Kupchan: The U.S. and NATO Allies Should Discuss How to Bring the War to an End Sooner Rather Than Later

Via CNN Fareed Zakaria, GPS May 22, 2022

View All

Featured Publications

Climate Change

Reflecting Sunlight to Reduce Climate Risk
Reflecting sunlight should be considered a potential stopgap for rising global temperatures, argues Stewart M. Patrick.

Council Special Report by Stewart M. Patrick April 27, 2022 International Institutions and Global Governance Program

Political History and Theory

The Great Experiment
Yascha Mounk offers a brilliant big-picture vision of the greatest challenge of modern time—how to bridge the bitter divides within diverse democracies enough for them to remain stable and functional.

Book by Yascha Mounk April 19, 2022

Iran

The Last Shah—New in Paperback
Ray Takeyh provides new interpretations of many important events—including the 1953 coup against Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadeq and the rise of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini—significantly revising our understanding of the United States’ and Iran’s complex and difficult history.

Book by Ray Takeyh February 8, 2022

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