China
Salwan Georges/Washington Post/Getty Images

China

China’s Role in Combating the Illegal Fentanyl Trade
Small chemical manufacturers in China have become shadow suppliers fueling clandestine labs in Mexico and beyond that are contributing to the global drug trade.

Expert Brief by Zongyuan Zoe Liu September 12, 2024

Drug Policy

America’s Fentanyl Epidemic: The China Connection

Podcast
Over the past few years, a new threat has emerged as a leading cause of death in the United States: fentanyl. Yet even as the drug wreaks havoc on Americans lives, preventing its flow into the United States is complicated, partially because of the supply’s overseas origins, which is often China. What is China’s role in the U.S. fentanyl crisis?

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra, Thomas J. Bollyky, Zongyuan Zoe Liu and Shannon K. O'Neil October 25, 2023 Why It Matters

Public Health Threats and Pandemics

Fentanyl and the U.S. Opioid Epidemic
Opioid addiction has become one of the United States’ biggest killers, endangering public health, the economy, and national security. But closing the floodgates on fentanyl poses a significant foreign policy challenge.

Backgrounder by Claire Klobucista and Mariel Ferragamo December 22, 2023

United States

Japan

The Nippon Steel Deal Conundrum

Gene J. Puskar/AP
President Joe Biden’s decision to block Japan-based Nippon Steel’s purchase of U.S. Steel would weaken U.S. economic competitiveness and undermine U.S. interests abroad.

Article by Matthew P. Goodman September 11, 2024 RealEcon

U.S.

Why Biden Wants to Block the Nippon-U.S. Steel Deal
U.S. President Joe Biden is reportedly planning to block the Japanese takeover of U.S. Steel, raising questions about the administration’s economic and foreign policy priorities.  

In Brief by Noah Berman September 6, 2024

U.S.

What Happens When Foreign Investment Becomes a Security Risk?
The United States and other Western countries are reevaluating their foreign investment regulations amid an uptick in Chinese interest in strategic sectors.

Backgrounder by Jonathan Masters, James McBride and Noah Berman January 3, 2023 Renewing America

History

U.S.

Ronald Reagan’s Foreign Policy Legacy

Podcast
Max Boot, the Jeane J. Kirkpatrick senior fellow for national security studies at CFR and a columnist for The Washington Post, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss Ronald Reagan’s life and his impact on U.S. foreign policy.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Max Boot September 10, 2024 The President’s Inbox

U.S.

Ronald Reagan: His Life and Legend
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

Max Boot

U.S.

Reagan Didn’t Win the Cold War Link

with Max Boot via Foreign Affairs September 6, 2024

Election 2024

U.S.

The First Harris-Trump Debate
Presidential nominees Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are set to debate for the first time. These resources offer background and analysis on the foreign policy issues facing the candidates.

Article by Noah Berman and Diana Roy September 6, 2024

Election 2024

Harris vs. Trump on Foreign Policy Link

with Christopher M. Tuttle via CFR August 28, 2024

Election 2024

The Trump-Harris Debate Ignored Asia—That’s Bad News
The U.S. presidential election neglected to discuss Asia, one of the most pivotal regions to U.S. foreign policy.

Blog Post by Joshua Kurlantzick September 11, 2024 Asia Unbound

Indo-Pacific

Indo-Pacific

Why Is the United States Spending More on Guam?
The island’s proximity to Asia makes it a critical outpost for the U.S. military and a potential hub in the event of regional conflict.

In Brief by Clara Fong and Diana Roy September 6, 2024

Taiwan

Why China Would Struggle to Invade Taiwan
Although China’s ambition to gain control of Taiwan is clear, doing so through force would prove enormously difficult and costly.

Interactive by David Sacks June 12, 2024

Australia

Australia’s Growing Defense and Security Role in the Indo-Pacific
Australia’s first comprehensive national defense strategy comes as Chinese coercion around Taiwan and in the South China Sea sparks heightened concerns about Beijing’s intentions and ambitions in the region. 

In Brief by Natalie Caloca August 1, 2024

hub1
CFR presents a wealth of resources to help understand what’s at stake for foreign policy in the U.S. presidential race.
See Our Full Coverage

Events
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U.S.

A Conversation With U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield

Play
Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield discusses the future of multilateralism and U.S. commitments to reforming the United Nations Security Council to be more inclusive, representative, and legitimate. 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 Linda Thomas-Greenfield and Elise Labott September 12, 2024

U.S.

CFR and U.S. Department of Commerce Supply Chain Summit

Play
Please click here to view the full agenda with all speakers. The Supply Chain Summit, cohosted by the Council on Foreign Relations and the U.S. Department of Commerce, explores efforts taken by government and industry to shift from reacting to global supply chain disruptions to proactively strengthening supply chain resilience. The event gathers leaders from industry, government, academia, and civil society to collaborate and share best practices for preventing and addressing supply chain vulnerabilities, including launching a new supply chain risk assessment tool. **For in-person attendance, please note that space for this summit is limited and will be granted on a first come first served basis.** 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 summit is presented by RealEcon: Reimagining American Economic Leadership, a CFR initiative of the Maurice R. Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies.  

Virtual Event with Michael Froman, Gina M. Raimondo, Don D. Graves Jr., Grant T. Harris and Matthew P. Goodman September 10, 2024

U.S.

Fed Official Says Time Has Come for Rate Cuts

Play
John C. Williams of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York discusses monetary policy and the economic outlook for the year ahead. 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.

Virtual Event with John C. Williams and Benn Steil September 6, 2024

U.S.

A Conversation With Mike Froman

Play
CFR President Mike Froman discusses his career, priorities for the Council, and the current events affecting U.S. foreign policy, including the 2024 U.S. presidential election. 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 for CFR term membership.  

Virtual Event with Michael Froman and Margaret E. Richardson September 5, 2024

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Experts in the News

Max Boot
Link

Boot: Ronald Reagan's Genius Was His Ability to Put His Campaign Rhetoric Aside to Do What Worked

Via CBS Mornings September 7, 2024

Michael B.G. Froman
Link

Froman: Foreign Policy May Play More of a Role Than Traditionally in This Election

Via Bloomberg Voternomics September 3, 2024

Rush Doshi
Link

Doshi: The Biden and Harris Administration Has Perhaps the Most Robust Indo-Pacific Agenda in Decades

Via CNBC Squawk Box Asia August 21, 2024

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Explainers

9/11
How 9/11 Reshaped Foreign Policy
9/11
How 9/11 Reshaped Foreign Policy
Timeline by James McBride
The events of September 11, 2001, set in motion sweeping changes to U.S. intelligence and counterterrorism practices, launched two major wars, and altered Americans’ daily routines.
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
Crossing the Darién Gap: Migrants Risk Death on the Journey to the U.S.
Immigration and Migration Crossing the Darién Gap: Migrants Risk Death on the Journey to the U.S.
Immersive_article_layout by 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

Iran Counts on U.S. Weakness to Check Israeli Strength

Offsite Via Wall Street Journal August 2, 2024

Matthias Matthijs
Matthias Matthijs

Senior Fellow for Europe

Europe European Union NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)

José Miguel Vivanco
José Miguel Vivanco

Adjunct Senior Fellow for Human Rights

Human Rights International Law Americas

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Featured Publications

U.S.

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

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

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