Lebanon
AFP/Getty Images

Lebanon

What Hezbollah-Israel Tensions Mean for Lebanon
Already hobbled by economic struggles, Lebanon now faces the prospect of war as the militant group and political party Hezbollah clashes with Israel in apparent support of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

In Brief by Christina Bouri June 6, 2024

Lebanon

What Is Hezbollah?
Military experience gained from fighting in Syria’s civil war and decades of clashes with Israel has strengthened the Iran-backed group, but politically, its clout among Lebanon’s populace may be waning.

Backgrounder by Kali Robinson October 14, 2023

Iran

Iran’s Regional Armed Network
Iran’s web of armed partners such as Hezbollah and the Houthis serves to strengthen its influence in the Middle East and could pose a significant threat to the United States and U.S. allies in the region, especially Israel.  

Article by Kali Robinson and Will Merrow April 15, 2024

Europe

Europe

The Future of U.S.-Europe Relations

Play
Benoit Tessier/Reuters
As President Joe Biden begins his visit to France, CFR experts discuss transatlantic ties, the conflict in Ukraine, and democracy in Europe.

Virtual Event with Liana Fix, Charles A. Kupchan, Matthias Matthijs and Heidi Crebo-Rediker June 4, 2024 Media Briefings

Ukraine

How Much U.S. Aid Is Going to Ukraine?
Nine charts illustrate the extraordinary level of support the United States has provided Ukraine in its war against Russian invaders.

Article by Jonathan Masters and Will Merrow May 9, 2024

 

Ukraine’s Perilous Path to EU Membership Link

via Foreign Affairs May 30, 2024

India

India

Modi’s Sobering Election Win
The third term win for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was an unsurprising result, but the loss of Parliament seats means his party will need to work with a fragile coalition government to enact polices effectively.

Blog Post by Manjari Chatterjee Miller June 5, 2024 Asia Unbound

India

India, Modi, and Hindu Nationalism

Podcast
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the most popular man in India. On track to be elected for a third term, he has boosted the country’s global standing and propelled strong economic growth while consolidating power and galvanizing majoritarian support for his Hindu nationalist agenda—all while growing closer to the United States. How could Hindu nationalism reshape India?

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra, Ashok Swain and Hartosh Singh Bal May 23, 2024 Why It Matters

India

U.S.-India Relations
Since India’s independence, ties with the United States have weathered Cold War–era distrust and estrangement over India’s nuclear program. Relations have warmed in recent years and cooperation has strengthened across a range of economic and political areas.

Timeline by Lindsay Maizland, Eleanor Albert and Beina Xu January 27, 2023

Immigration

United States

How Does the U.S. Asylum Process Work?
Record numbers of migrants seeking to cross the southern U.S. border are challenging the Joe Biden administration’s attempts to restore asylum protections. Here’s how the asylum process works.

Backgrounder by Diana Roy June 4, 2024 Renewing America

United States

Summer Migration Uptick Likely to Inflame U.S. Politics
Migration will rise this summer, inflaming U.S. politics; Brazil’s risky bet on soy.

Blog Post by Shannon K. O'Neil and Will Freeman March 28, 2024 Latin America’s Moment

 

The Real Origins of the Border Crisis Link

via Foreign Affairs June 20, 2023

Middle East

U.S. Foreign Policy

Washington’s Ill-Fated Mideast Ambitions
U.S. administrations have backed sweeping efforts for societal change in the Middle East in recent decades, with poor results. But Washington can still achieve more modest, essential goals in the region.*

Expert Brief by Steven A. Cook May 31, 2024 Middle East Program

Middle East and North Africa

The End of Ambition
A clear-headed vision for the United States' role in the Middle East that highlights the changing nature of U.S. national interests and the challenges of grand strategizing at a time of profound change in the international order.

Book by Steven A. Cook June 3, 2024 Middle East Program

Palestinian Territories

Who Governs the Palestinians?
Power in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, the so-called Palestinian territories, has been divided among three entities: a governing body called the Palestinian Authority, the militant group Hamas, and the state of Israel. But as Israel now seeks to destroy Hamas, it is unclear who would administer Gaza instead.

Backgrounder by Kali Robinson May 28, 2024

European Union

European Union

What’s at Stake in the EU Elections?
The European Union’s governing bodies could see a significant shake-up as millions of voters head to the polls across the twenty-seven-member bloc, with consequences for transatlantic ties.

Article by Matthias Matthijs and Caroline Kapp May 31, 2024 Europe Program

 

Ukraine’s Perilous Path to EU Membership Link

via Foreign Affairs May 31, 2024

Immigration

Europe’s Migration Dilemma

Photo Essay by Kali Robinson, Diana Roy and Sabine Baumgartner May 31, 2024

Events
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Russia

Leslie H. Gelb Memorial Event: Common Sense and Strategy in Foreign Policy

Play
David E. Sanger discusses U.S. rivalry with the other two great nuclear powers—Xi Jinping’s China and Vladimir Putin’s Russia—the choices that lie ahead, and what is at stake for the United States and the world. This special event is being held to honor the memory of Leslie H. Gelb, CFR’s president from 1993 to 2003 and a dedicated member for forty-six years. Gelb modernized the institution to reflect the changing realities of the post-Cold War era, and was a passionate advocate of common sense and strategy in U.S. foreign policy. 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 E. Sanger and Michael Froman June 5, 2024

Religion

Religion and Foreign Policy Webinar: USCIRF's 2024 Annual Report on International Religious Freedom

Play
Stephen Schneck and Eric Ueland, commissioners of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), will join Elizabeth Cassidy, senior strategic advisor of USCIRF, to present the key policy recommendations of the USCIRF 2024 annual report and the foreign policy implications of international religious freedom today.  USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan U.S. federal government agency created by the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act that monitors the universal right to freedom of religion or belief abroad; makes policy recommendations to the president, secretary of state, and Congress; and tracks the implementation of these recommendations. USCIRF’s nine Commissioners are appointed by either the president or congressional leaders of each political party, and are supported by a non-partisan professional staff. 

Webinar with Elizabeth K. Cassidy, Stephen Schneck, Eric Ueland and Irina A. Faskianos June 4, 2024 Religion and Foreign Policy Series

Global

The Rise in LGBTQ+ Hate and Democratic Backsliding

Play
Panelists discuss the global rise of anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments and the intersection of the deterioration of LGBTQ+ rights and democratic backsliding. 

Event with Graeme Reid, Ari Shaw, Maria Sjödin and Nancy Yao June 4, 2024

Europe

The Future of U.S.-Europe Relations

Play
Benoit Tessier/Reuters
As President Joe Biden begins his visit to France, CFR experts discuss transatlantic ties, the conflict in Ukraine, and democracy in Europe.

Virtual Event with Liana Fix, Charles A. Kupchan, Matthias Matthijs and Heidi Crebo-Rediker June 4, 2024 Media Briefings

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Experts in the News

Michael B.G. Froman
Link

Froman: There Is a Regional Realignment Going On Amid the Israel-Hamas War

Via CNBC Squawk Box May 29, 2024

Sheila A. Smith
Link

Smith: This Is a Very Difficult Time for China, Japan, and South Korea to Find Common Ground

Via Bloomberg Daybreak Asia May 26, 2024

David J. Scheffer
Link

Scheffer: ICC Warrants Can Diminish an Indicted Individual's Political Power

Via CBS News May 21, 2024

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Explainers

South China Sea
China’s Maritime Disputes
South China Sea
China’s Maritime Disputes
Timeline by Beina Xu, Eleanor Albert, Lindsay Maizland and Clara Fong
Disputes between China and its neighbors, including the Philippines and Vietnam, in the South China Sea have intensified in recent decades. This timeline traces the recent developments.
The Push to Conserve 30 Percent of the Planet: What’s at Stake?
Energy and Environment The Push to Conserve 30 Percent of the Planet: What’s at Stake?
Article by Lindsay Maizland
What Is Avian Flu?
Public Health Threats and Pandemics What Is Avian Flu?
Backgrounder Redesign by Mariel Ferragamo
Why Fentanyl Is a Huge Foreign Policy Problem
United States Why Fentanyl Is a Huge Foreign Policy Problem
Article by Mariel Ferragamo and Diana Roy
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Expert Spotlight

Farah Pandith
Farah Pandith

Adjunct Senior Fellow

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

What's Next for U.S. Policy in the Middle East?

Offsite Via National Committee on American Foreign Policy January 23, 2024

Jacob Ware
Jacob Ware

Research Fellow

Terrorism and Counterterrorism Radicalization and Extremism Homeland Security

Jendayi E. Frazer
Jendayi E. Frazer

Adjunct Senior Fellow for Africa Studies

Sub-Saharan Africa U.S. Foreign Policy Politics and Government

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Featured Publications

Middle East and North Africa

The End of Ambition
A clear-headed vision for the United States' role in the Middle East that highlights the changing nature of U.S. national interests and the challenges of grand strategizing at a time of profound change in the international order.

Book by Steven A. Cook June 3, 2024 Middle East Program

Colombia

From Peril to Partnership
Paul J. Angelo provides the first headlining case studies of Plan Colombia and the Mérida Initiative.

Book by Paul J. Angelo March 8, 2024 Latin America Studies Program

Political History and Theory

The World That Wasn’t

A dramatic and powerful new perspective on the political career of Henry Wallace—a perspective that will forever change how we view the making of U.S. and Soviet foreign policy at the dawn of the Cold War.

Book by Benn Steil January 9, 2024 Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies

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