Academics

Promoting global affairs education has been an element of the Council on Foreign Relations' mission since its inception. CFR Academic connects educators and students of all ages to CFR's award-winning publications, innovative digital learning products, and acclaimed events featuring foreign policy experts for teaching and learning about international affairs. 

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Understand World Events

Explore CFR’s resources for expert perspectives on the issues and forces shaping today’s world.

Russia's War in Ukraine: How Does it End?

Listen to panelists discuss the current situation in and regarding Ukraine, the goals of NATO, Russia, and Ukraine, and alternative futu...

Why China-Taiwan Relations Are So Tense

Review how differences over Taiwan’s status have fueled rising tensions between the island and the mainland.

Reflecting Sunlight to Reduce Climate Risk

In this report, Stewart M. Patrick argues for sunlight reflection as a potential stopgap for rising global temperatures.

Teach & Learn

Model Diplomacy

How can you bring hypothetical scenarios based on real issues to life in your classroom? Model Diplomacy, a free and flexible interactive program, uses role-play to demonstrate the challenges of shaping U.S. foreign policy in an interconnected world.

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CFR Podcast

Why It Matters

Stay updated on issues that affect the future with CFR's "Why It Matters" weekly podcast.

World101

Understand how the world works—what the forces are, who the actors are, and how they interact to influence events of relevance to citizens' everyday lives. World101 offers primers on need-to-know topics.

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Course Syllabus

Introduction to International Relations

Dr. Haass’s highly readable book and easy-to-adapt syllabus will help your students gain knowledge of international history and the regions of the world, and the awareness of global issues and governance challenges that they need to make informed choices as voters and citizens.

Teaching Notes

China

Toxic Politics
In Toxic Politics, CFR Senior Fellow Yanzhong Huang discusses how China’s environmental crisis is undermining public health and becoming an Achilles heel in its reemergence as a global power.

Teaching Notes by Yanzhong Huang December 11, 2020

Nigeria

Nigeria and the Nation-State
In Nigeria and the Nation-State, John Campbell explains what makes Nigeria different from other countries in Africa, how it works, and why understanding it is vital if we are to avoid the mistakes the United States made in Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Iraq, as U.S. security and economic relations with Africa intensifies.

Teaching Notes by John Campbell November 16, 2020

U.S. Foreign Policy

Isolationism
In his new book, Isolationism: A History of America’s Efforts to Shield Itself From the World, CFR Senior Fellow Charles A. Kupchan explores the nation's past to uncover the ideological and political roots of U.S. grand strategy, understand the recent return of isolationist sentiment, and examine how the nation can bring its foreign commitments back into line with its means and purposes.

Teaching Notes by Charles A. Kupchan October 29, 2020

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Join the Conversation

CFR Academic offers a range of programs for educators and students to interact with CFR experts and to join the debate on foreign policy. The purpose is to foster a deeper understanding of international relations and the role of the United States in the world.

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Academic Webinar

Academic Webinar: Africa’s Domestic and International Relations

Details: Ebenezer Obadare, Douglas Dillon Senior Fellow at CFR, will lead the conversation Africa's domestic and international relations. Email [email protected] to register!

Date and Time: Sep 14, 2022; 1:00-2:00(EDT)

Academic Webinars for Students

The CFR Academic Webinar series gives students the opportunity to speak directly with CFR fellows, Foreign Affairs authors, and other foreign policy practitioners.

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