Democratic Republic of Congo
Arlette Bashizi/Reuters

Democratic Republic of Congo

Eastern Congo Is Lurching Toward Catastrophe
As fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo intensifies, shaky diplomacy efforts are further deteriorating the country’s peace prospects.

Post by Michelle Gavin March 19, 2025 Africa in Transition

Democratic Republic of Congo

What to Know About Eastern Congo’s Crisis

Podcast
Mvemba Dizolele, senior fellow and director of the Africa Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the renewed fighting in the Eastern Congo that pits the M23 rebel group backed by Rwanda against the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Mvemba Phezo Dizolele March 18, 2025 The President’s Inbox

 

Conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo Link

via Center for Preventive Action February 11, 2025

Tariffs

RealEcon

Congress Should Retake Control of Tariffs

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
The administration’s recent tariffs undermine congressional authority and sow chaos for U.S. businesses. Lawmakers should reassert their constitutional power to fix this.

Article by James Wallar March 14, 2025 RealEcon

 

Trump’s Fixation on Tariffs Will Subvert His Economic Goals Link

via Foreign Affairs March 11, 2025

Trade

Bracing for a Trade War

Play
CFR experts provide insights and context around President Donald Trump's announced tariffs and what they mean for North American trade, U.S. alliances, and global competition.

Virtual Event with Zongyuan Zoe Liu, Zongyuan Zoe Liu, Inu Manak, Inu Manak, Benn Steil, Benn Steil, Heidi Crebo-Rediker, Heidi Crebo-Rediker and Michael Froman February 3, 2025 Media Briefings

U.S. Foreign Policy

 

Global Perspectives on Trump’s Second Term Link

via Council of Councils March 14, 2025

United States

Donald Trump Makes His Case to a Joint Session of Congress

The president will speak to an American public divided over his administration’s policies.  

Post by James M. Lindsay March 3, 2025 The Water's Edge

RealEcon

Trump’s National Security Tariffs

Section 232 tariffs can backfire without exemptions, harming rather than helping national security.

Article by Jonathan E. Hillman February 12, 2025 RealEcon

Philippines

Philippines

What Duterte’s Arrest Means
Given his previously untouchable status, the arrest and potential prosecution of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte by the International Criminal Court (ICC) is a surprising development.

Post by Joshua Kurlantzick March 17, 2025 Asia Unbound

International Criminal Court

The Role of the International Criminal Court
The International Criminal Court was created to bring justice to the world’s worst war criminals, but debate over the court still rages.

Backgrounder by Claire Klobucista and Mariel Ferragamo November 22, 2024

Philippines

Marcos Jr. Lies About Ending the Brutal Philippine Drug War—And a Lot More
Despite Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s promises to end the brutal drug war and improve human rights, his actions have largely failed to deliver on these commitments, continuing the violent policies of his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte.

Article by Joshua Kurlantzick February 19, 2025 Asia Unbound

Canada

Foreign Policy

Why Are U.S.-Canada Relations So Tense?
The Trump administration’s tariffs on Canada this week and threats of annexation have strained the U.S.-Canada partnership, fueling Canadian nationalism and causing steep retaliatory measures.

Article by Michael Froman March 14, 2025

Trade

What Trump’s Aluminum and Steel Tariffs Will Mean, in Six Charts
President Trump plans to impose fresh tariffs on all aluminum and steel imports, seeking to curb China’s growing dominance in global trade. These six charts show the tariffs’ potential economic effects.

Article by Shannon K. O'Neil and Julia Huesa February 14, 2025 Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies

Canada

Canada and Trade

Play
Chrystia Freeland discusses how democracies can stand together to protect their economic interests, preserve peace and prosperity for their citizens, and enhance trade at a time of rising geopolitical tensions. 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 Chrystia Freeland, Chrystia Freeland and Michael Froman October 24, 2024

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CFR experts provide timely analysis on the trade-offs and costs associated with U.S. President Donald Trump’s economic policies.
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Events
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United States

American Views on Economic Leadership
In April 2024, CFR launched RealEcon: Reimagining American Economic Leadership Initiative with the goal of rebuilding a durable consensus on the U.S. role in the international economy. As a first step, the RealEcon team toured the country to ask Americans their views on trade, investment, foreign aid, China, and other economic issues. They visited nine states and spoke with over 400 people, including local elected officials, business leaders, farmers, workers, students, and journalists. This event will feature a fireside chat with former New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu and a panel discussion with senior experts and interlocutors of key themes and policy takeaways from the tour. The Robert B. Menschel Economics Symposium was established in 2014 and was made possible through a generous endowment gift from Robert B. Menschel while a senior director at Goldman Sachs. Since Menschel’s death in 2022, the symposium continues in his honor and memory.

Virtual Event with Donald Evans, Karla Morales, Catherine A. Novelli, Chris Sununu, Greg Ip and Heather E. Long March 25, 2025

United States

Young Professionals Briefing: Youth Social Media Engagement and Views on Foreign Policy

Play
Panelists discuss media consumption and views on foreign policy among youth in the United States and globally. The CFR Young Professionals Briefing Series provides an opportunity for those early in their careers to engage with CFR. The briefings feature remarks by experts on critical global issues and lessons learned in their careers. These events are intended for individuals who have completed their undergraduate studies and have not yet reached the age of thirty to be eligible to apply for CFR term membership. We are pleased to extend this invitation to you through the recommendation of a CFR member. If you no longer wish to receive these invitations, please let us know by replying to this email. If you wish to attend 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 hybrid meeting will be posted on the CFR website.

Virtual Event with Elise Labott, Andreas Sandre and Kat Duffy March 17, 2025

United States

Beijing+30: The Global Status of Women

Play
As member states convene for the 69th UN Commission on the Status of Women and commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, please join us for a dialogue on the impact of U.S. policy initiatives undertaken by the Gender Policy Council, the current global status of women and girls, and recommendations for priority actions to advance gender equality and women's leadership globally.While remarks will be on the record, the discussion portion of the meeting is not for attribution. This means that participants are free to make use of the information shared at the meeting but may not attribute any quotes or content to any speakers or participants. Use of personal recording devices and cameras is prohibited. CFR reserves the right to take or use photographs for its own use.This meeting is part of the Council on Foreign Relations Women and Foreign Policy Program Roundtable Series on Women’s Global Leadership.Please note there is no virtual component to the meeting. The audio, video, and transcript of the discussion portion of this event will be posted on the CFR website.Members may bring a guest to this event.  

Event with Susana Malcorra, Rachel B. Vogelstein and Linda Robinson March 13, 2025

United States

The History and Future of U.S. Foreign Aid

Play
Panelists discuss the history of U.S. foreign aid and examine its effectiveness in promoting global stability, fostering economic development, and projecting U.S. soft power worldwide, as well as potential approaches for restructuring the system moving forward. **This is a virtual meeting through Zoom. 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 virtual meeting will be posted on the CFR website. This meeting is presented by RealEcon: Reimagining American Economic Leadership, a CFR initiative of the Maurice R. Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies.

Virtual Event with Gayle E. Smith, Samuel A. Worthington, Ted Yoho and Margaret E. Talev March 13, 2025

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Experts in the News

Michael B.G. Froman
Link

Froman: This Is the Most Complex Moment the World Has Seen for Eighty Years

Via TIME March 16, 2025

Rebecca Patterson
Link

Patterson: Gold Price Could Still Continue to Climb

Via CNBC March 14, 2025

Liana Fix
Link

Fix: Merz Will Need to Learn Political Compromise

Via NPR March 14, 2025

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Explainers

United Nations
How Much Does the U.S. Pay to UN Agencies?
United Nations
How Much Does the U.S. Pay to UN Agencies?
Backgrounder by CFR.org Editors
Many UN agencies, programs, and missions receive crucial funding from the United States. In his second administration, President Trump is again calling for greater scrutiny of U.S. funding and involvement in the global body.
Where Are Women Wielding Power?
Women and Women's Rights Where Are Women Wielding Power?
Interactive by Linda Robinson and Noël James
The World Faces a Sharp Rise in Extreme Weather. Can AI Help?
Climate Change The World Faces a Sharp Rise in Extreme Weather. Can AI Help?
Article by Alice C. Hill and Colin McCormick
Why Six Countries Account for Most Migrants at the U.S.-Mexico Border
Immigration and Migration Why Six Countries Account for Most Migrants at the U.S.-Mexico Border
Immersive_article_layout by Will Freeman, Steven Holmes and Sabine Baumgartner
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Expert Spotlight

Inu Manak
Inu Manak

Fellow for Trade Policy

Trade Diplomacy and International Institutions Treaties and Agreements

Charles A. Kupchan
Charles A. Kupchan

Senior Fellow

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

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

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Featured Publications

International Law

Eastward, Westward
Few Americans have done more than Jerome A. Cohen to advance the rule of law in East Asia. The founder of the study of Chinese law in the United States and a tireless advocate for human rights, Cohen has been a scholar, teacher, lawyer, and activist for more than sixty years. Moving among the United States, China, and Taiwan, he has encouraged legal reforms, promoted economic cooperation, mentored law students—including a future president of Taiwan—and brokered international crises. In this compelling, conversational memoir, Cohen recounts a dramatic life of striving for a better world from Washington, DC, to Beijing, offering vital first-hand insights from the study and practice of Sino-American relations. In the early 1960s, when Americans were not permitted to enter China, he met with émigrés in Hong Kong and interviewed them on Chinese criminal procedure. After economic reform under Deng Xiaoping, Cohen’s knowledge of Chinese law took on a new importance as foreign companies began to pursue business opportunities. Helping China develop and reconstruct its legal system, he made an influential case for the roles of Western law and lawyers. Cohen helped break political barriers in both China and Taiwan, and he was instrumental in securing the release of political prisoners in several countries. Sharing these experiences and many others, this book tells the full story of an unparalleled career bridging East and West.

Book by Jerome A. Cohen March 4, 2025

Public Health Threats and Pandemics

When the World Closed Its Doors
A detailed exploration of the most sweeping government border closures in human history during the COVID-19 pandemic and the implications for the future of global mobility.

Book by Edward Alden and Laurie Trautman January 7, 2025

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

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