Syria
Omar Sanadiki/Reuters
Syria

Syria

Syria’s Risky New Moment
The swift collapse of Syria’s regime brings a humiliating end to Iran’s and Russia’s sway and opens the door for greater Turkish influence.

Expert Brief by Steven A. Cook December 8, 2024

Syria

A More Dangerous Iran After Assad’s Ouster?

The Bashar al-Assad regime’s rapid collapse deals a heavy blow to Iran’s “axis of resistance” and its ability to project power in the region, and it raises fears Iran will focus more on developing its nuclear program.

Expert Brief by Ray Takeyh December 8, 2024

Syria

What’s Next for Syria?

Play
CFR experts discuss the latest news out of Syria, including what the fall of Bashar al-Assad means for the future of the country and the wider region.

Virtual Event with Elliott Abrams, Steven A. Cook, Ray Takeyh and Elise Labott December 9, 2024

Syria

What Role Is Turkey Playing in Syria’s Civil War?
Turkey opposes the Assad regime, but the fall of the government could disrupt Ankara’s aims to reverse refugee flows and defeat Kurdish forces in Syria’s north.

Expert Brief by Henri J. Barkey December 6, 2024

Climate Change

Energy and Climate Policy

The Dirty Energy Powering AI

Podcast
What powers artificial intelligence (AI)? As global electricity use is surging, with unprecedented demand coming from an increase in data centers, AI’s dependence on fossil fuels presents a serious issue for the planet. In the United States, data center power usage is on track to double by 2030, largely due to the proliferation of AI technology. But while the application of AI shows potential to mitigate climate problems through modeling or predicting weather events, will its power grab stall the clean energy transition?

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra and Varun Sivaram December 3, 2024 Why It Matters

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Can U.S. Tech Giants Deliver on the Promise of Nuclear Power?
Nuclear power has been a stagnant U.S. energy source for decades, but it could be primed for a technology-driven renaissance amid the growing artificial intelligence boom.

Expert Brief by David M. Hart October 22, 2024 Energy Security and Climate Change Program

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence Priorities for the Next Administration
The rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI) has been breathtaking, and American firms are leading the way in showing the potential of a new AI-propelled world. But rivals like China are gaining ground, with major consequences for the U.S. economy and security.

Expert Brief by Sebastian Elbaum and Adam Segal November 26, 2024 Digital and Cyberspace Policy Program

Democracy

South Korea

What’s Next for South Korea?
Yoon Suk-Yeol’s shocking declaration of ‘emergency martial law’ was a frontal assault on the integrity of South Korea’s hard-won democratic system.

Blog Post by John Delury December 4, 2024 Asia Unbound

South Korea

Meeting with Governor Rhee Chang Yong of the Bank of Korea

Play
Bank of Korea Governor Rhee Chang Yong discusses monetary policy in South Korea and the implications of reshaping global value chains. 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. This meeting series is presented by the Maurice R. Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies.

Virtual Event with Rhee Chang Yong and Richard H. Clarida October 21, 2024 C. Peter McColough Series on International Economics

South Korea

The U.S.–South Korea Alliance
In seventy years, the U.S.-South Korea alliance has evolved from a patron-client relationship to a global comprehensive strategic alliance.

Timeline by Scott A. Snyder and Jennifer Ahn December 1, 2023

Lebanon

Lebanon

A Rough Guide to War-Torn Lebanon
An array of domestic and foreign powers are vying for influence in Lebanon, including the Lebanese Armed Forces, Hezbollah, Israel, Iran, Syria, and the United States.

Backgrounder by Jonathan Masters December 3, 2024

Israel

The Gaza Lessons of 2006
Israel must act firmly to enforce the Lebanon agreement or it will collapse within months--and only Israel can be expected to enforce it.

Blog Post by Elliott Abrams November 27, 2024 Pressure Points

 

Lebanon’s Day After Link

via Foreign Affairs November 22, 2024

Economic Security

China

Responding to the Economic Battle With China
China’s growing willingness to defy the international order, and its increasingly aggressive leadership, have led it to increasingly utilize economic coercion against countries it believes have defied China’s interests. This coercion can be powerful, and the United States and its partners have not been well-prepared for Beijing’s actions. The U.S. and others need to develop a response immediately.

Article by Elliott Abrams, Ezra Hess and Joshua Kurlantzick December 2, 2024 RealEcon

 

The Next President and the Trade-Offs in U.S. Economic Policy Link

with Michael Froman via Foreign Affairs October 3, 2024

China

Europe Should Emulate Biden’s Restrictions on Chinese Smart Cars
Europe’s planned tariffs on electric vehicles from China miss the bigger threat: Beijing could turn smart cars into weapons of cyber warfare.

Blog Post by Liza Tobin October 22, 2024 Asia Unbound

Events
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United States

U.S. Health and Its Global Implications
In a special event copresented by the Council on Foreign Relations and The Lancet, panelists discuss priorities for improving public health in the United States and abroad.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.Members may bring a guest to this event.

Virtual Event with Rebecca Bunnell, Victor J. Dzau, Mona Hanna, Christopher J. Murray, John Monahan, Thomas J. Bollyky and Richard Horton December 10, 2024

Syria

Media Briefing: What's Next for Syria After Assad

Play
CFR experts discuss the latest news out of Syria, including what the fall of Bashar al-Assad means for the future of the country and the wider region.

Virtual Event with Elliott Abrams, Steven A. Cook, Ray Takeyh and Elise Labott December 9, 2024

United States

A Conversation With USAID Administrator Samantha Power: Building Economic Resilience and Advancing Economic Statecraft

Play
In response to new fractures and flashpoints in the global economy and heightened strategic competition, the United States and countries around the world are recalibrating their approaches to economic policy. This includes the U.S. government prioritizing economic statecraft  – including affirmative measures that bring mutual economic and security benefits to the United States and our international partners. Building on decades of work supporting inclusive economic growth, USAID is now accelerating its efforts to strengthen economic resilience in low- and middle-income countries to increase debt sustainability, create jobs, and connect with U.S. and allies’ critical supply chains. Please join us for a conversation with USAID Administrator Samantha Power and CFR President Michael Froman on USAID’s policy and programmatic efforts to meet the moment for U.S. economic and national security interests by delivering responsive development cooperation and a strengthened U.S. value proposition for low- and middle-income countries.   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. This meeting is presented by RealEcon: Reimagining American Economic Leadership and is made possible by the generous support of the Amy Falls and Hartley Rogers Foundation.

Virtual Event with Samantha Power and Michael Froman December 9, 2024

United States

A Conversation With Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines

Play
Please note that the CFR meeting with Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines on Thursday, December 5, 2024, will now be held from 12:45 to 1:30 p.m. (EST) due to a change in the speaker’s schedule. The lunch will begin at 12:15 p.m. Avril Haines discusses strategic competition with China and the operations of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, including her focus on collaboration with the private sector and the intelligence community’s recruitment needs. 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.  

Virtual Event with Avril Haines and Michael Froman December 5, 2024

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Experts in the News

Michael B.G. Froman
Link

Froman: Collapse of Assad Regime Is Big Loss for Russia and Iran

Via CNBC Squawk Box December 9, 2024

Steven A. Cook
Link

Cook: Syria Is in Danger of Becoming a Failed State

Via CNN December 9, 2024

Max Boot
Link

Boot: Trump’s Meetings With Macron and Zelenskyy Are Unprecedented

Via MSNBC December 8, 2024

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Explainers

European Union
After the Berlin Wall: Europe’s Struggle to Overcome Its Divisions
European Union
After the Berlin Wall: Europe’s Struggle to Overcome Its Divisions
Photo Essay by James McBride and Jeanne Park
Europe has seen deeper integration in the three-plus decades since the end of the Cold War, but has also struggled with new threats to its institutions, security, and core values.
Crisis in Sudan: War, Famine, and a Failing Global Response
Sudan Crisis in Sudan: War, Famine, and a Failing Global Response
Immersive_article_layout by Mariel Ferragamo and Sabine Baumgartner
Guantánamo Bay: Twenty Years of Counterterrorism and Controversy
Terrorism and Counterterrorism Guantánamo Bay: Twenty Years of Counterterrorism and Controversy
Article by Jonathan Masters
Europe’s Migration Dilemma
Immigration and Migration Europe’s Migration Dilemma
Immersive_article_layout by Kali Robinson, Diana Roy and Sabine Baumgartner
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Expert Spotlight

Jennifer Hillman
Jennifer Hillman

Senior Fellow for Trade and International Political Economy

Trade World Trade Organization (WTO) NAFTA

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

Steven A. Tananbaum Distinguished Fellow for International Economics

Monetary Policy Fiscal Policy Regulation and Deregulation

Manjari Chatterjee Miller
Manjari Chatterjee Miller

Senior Fellow for India, Pakistan, and South Asia

India Asia China

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Featured Publications

Religion

If You Will It
Hundreds of thousands of young Jews have drifted away from the American Jewish community and many more may follow. This book explains to Jewish parents, donors, and organizations how Jewish education, Jewish summer camping, and time spent in Israel can revive and strengthen Jewish identity.

Book by Elliott Abrams October 8, 2024 Middle East Program

United States

Reagan
Son of the Midwest, movie star, and mesmerizing politician—America’s fortieth president comes to three-dimensional life in this gripping and profoundly revisionist biography.

Book by Max Boot September 10, 2024

Asia

Lost Decade

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.

Book by Robert D. Blackwill and Richard Fontaine June 11, 2024 Asia Program

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