U.S. Foreign Policy
Maxim Shipenkov/Reuters

China Strategy Initiative

Unpacking the China-Russia No-Limits Partnership
Beijing’s and Moscow’s quasi-alliance endangers U.S. national interests and undermines the current international order. How can the U.S. policymakers manage the growing relationship?

Council Special Report by Robert D. Blackwill and Richard Fontaine December 12, 2024 China Strategy Initiative

China

China and Russia: Exploring Ties Between Two Authoritarian Powers
China and Russia have expanded trade and defense ties over the past decade, but they’re not formal allies. Experts say Russia’s war in Ukraine could be a turning point in the relationship.

Backgrounder by Clara Fong and Lindsay Maizland March 20, 2024

China

Where the China-Russia Partnership Is Headed in Seven Charts and Maps
Beijing’s and Moscow’s relationship has strengthened militarily, economically, and diplomatically in the past two decades, demonstrating their commitment to a “no limits” partnership.

Article by Clara Fong and Will Merrow December 12, 2024

Health

What Is the U.S. Life Expectancy? It Depends.

What Is the U.S. Life Expectancy? It Depends.
China

China

China’s Looming Auto Export Dominance
China’s electric vehicle capacity will soon match total Chinese domestic auto demand, and total Chinese auto production capacity is already over half of total global auto demand.

Blog Post by Brad W. Setser December 8, 2024 Follow the Money

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

China

U.S.-China Economic Relations

Play
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.

Virtual Event with Jay C. Shambaugh, Matthew P. Goodman and Rush Doshi July 10, 2024 Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies

Syria

Syria

Russia’s Debacle in the Changing Middle East
The flight of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to exile in Russia poses a major strategic challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin, but the Kremlin’s influence in Syria and the region should not be downplayed yet.

Expert Brief by Thomas Graham December 10, 2024 Europe Program

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 Middle East Program

Syria

After Fall of Assad Dynasty, Syria’s Risky New Moment
The swift collapse of Syria’s regime brings a humiliating end to Russia’s and Iran’s sway and opens the door for greater Turkish influence. But the Islamist movement that seized power has yet to show its full intentions.

Expert Brief by Steven A. Cook December 8, 2024 Middle East Program

Iran

Syria

What to Know About HTS, Hezbollah, and Iran in Syria
The ascendance of Sunni Islamist rebels in Syria should be viewed with great caution by Western powers, but the Assad regime’s collapse disables a critical node in Iran’s regional proxy network.

Expert Brief by Bruce Hoffman December 9, 2024 National Security and Defense Program

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 Middle East Program

Syria

Turkey’s Role 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

Events
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United States

Watchlist 2025: Safeguarding the World's Most Vulnerable Nations

Play
David Miliband, President and CEO of the International Rescue Committee (IRC), presents the new IRC Emergency Watchlist report, highlighting the countries at highest risk of humanitarian crises in 2025 and examining where the international community has made progress or fallen short. 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 David Miliband and Morgan Brennan December 11, 2024

United States

U.S. Health and Its Global Implications

Play
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

Ukraine

A Conversation With Former Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba of Ukraine

Play
Dmytro Kuleba discusses Ukraine’s strategic position in the war with Russia, and evaluates how the incoming Donald Trump administration might influence Ukraine’s international relations and policies. This meeting is part of the Council Special Initiative on Securing Ukraine’s Future and is part of the Wachenheim Program on Peace and Security. The program is made possible by the generous support of the Sue and Edgar Wachenheim Foundation. 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 Dmytro Kuleba and Paula J. Dobriansky December 9, 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 Middle East Program

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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

Health
How Geography, Race, and Income Shape U.S. Life Expectancy
Health
How Geography, Race, and Income Shape U.S. Life Expectancy
Article by Thomas J. Bollyky, Laura Dwyer-Lindgren, Ali H. Mokdad and Chloe Searchinger
The differences in U.S. life expectancy are so large it’s as if the population lives in ten separate Americas instead of one.
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

Ray Takeyh
Ray Takeyh

Hasib J. Sabbagh Senior Fellow for Middle East Studies

Iran Iran Nuclear Agreement Persian Gulf

Tehran May Tempt Trump With Talks

Offsite Via Wall Street Journal December 10, 2024

John B. Bellinger III
John B. Bellinger III

Adjunct Senior Fellow for International and National Security Law

International Law Treaties and Agreements Sanctions

Charles A. Kupchan
Charles A. Kupchan

Senior Fellow

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

Rebuilding Syria After Assad

Offsite Via Project Syndicate December 11, 2024

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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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