United States | Council on Foreign Relations

The U.S. Vice President and Foreign Policy

Modern vice presidents can trace much of their political influence to the broad reforms that Jimmy Carter and Walter Mondale made to the second-highest elected office in the late 1970s.

Backgrounder by Jonathan Masters Sep 22, 2016

Demographics of the U.S. Military

Deployed around the world, the armed forces are a pillar of U.S. power and influence abroad. But many civilians are unfamiliar with their composition. How much does the military resemble U.S. society?

Backgrounder by CFR.org Editors Jul 13, 2020

Disinformation and Election 2020

Bret Schafer, media and digital disinformation fellow at the Alliance for Securing Democracy, an initiative of the German Marshall Fund of the United States, discusses disinformation and the threat of foreign interference in the upcoming election. Carla Anne Robbins, CFR adjunct senior fellow and former deputy editorial page editor at the New York Times, hosts the webinar.

Conference Call with Bret Schafer Aug 6, 2020

Global

The President's Inbox Episodes by Topic

The President's Inbox (TPI) has produced more than two hundred episodes since it debuted in November 2016. The topics covered have ranged from Afghanistan to China to human rights to Russia to the ro…

Blog Post by James M. Lindsay June 22, 2021 The Water's Edge
Global

Season Four Trailer

Will the world have enough water to survive in the era of climate change? Could a shortage of silicon chips eventually lead to war? Do human spies matter in the era of cyber espionage? Why It Matters is back for its fourth season, unpacking new problems and speaking with a host of new guests.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra June 16, 2021 Why It Matters
United States

Happy Birthday to the U.S. Army!

The United States Army celebrates its 246th birthday today. If you see an active duty, former, or retired member of the United States Army today, wish their service Happy Birthday. The Army provi…

Blog Post by James M. Lindsay June 14, 2021 The Water's Edge

Experts in this Region

Caroline Bettinger-Lopez

Adjunct Senior Fellow for Women and Foreign Policy

James M. Lindsay

Senior Vice President, Director of Studies, and Maurice R. Greenberg Chair

Yascha Mounk

Senior Fellow

Scott A. Snyder

Senior Fellow for Korea Studies and Director of the Program on U.S.-Korea Policy

Diplomacy and International Institutions

Where Is the G7 Headed?

The Group of Seven (G7) serves as a forum to coordinate global policy, but experts are increasingly questioning the group’s relevance.

Backgrounder by CFR.org Editors June 14, 2021
Censorship and Freedom of Expression

TWE Remembers: The Pentagon Papers

Sunday is the fiftieth anniversary of the New York Times’ publication of the Pentagon Papers. My colleague Margaret Gach, a research associate for U.S. foreign policy at the Council on Foreign Relati…

Blog Post by Guest Blogger for The Water's Edge June 11, 2021 The Water's Edge
United States

How Much Is Too Much? The U.S. Inflation Debate Heats Up

Some experts are sounding the alarm over rising inflation in the United States, despite assurances from the Federal Reserve. Here’s what to know.

In Brief by Roger W. Ferguson Jr. June 11, 2021 Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies

Radicalization and Extremism

Reporting on Extremist Activity

Dana Coester, editor-in-chief at 100 Days in Appalachia, shares best practices for reporting on extremist activity at the local level. Bruce Hoffman, Shelby Cullom and Kathryn W. Davis senior fellow on counterterrorism and homeland security at CFR, provides context and background on domestic terrorism and extremist groups. Carla Anne Robbins, adjunct senior fellow at CFR and former deputy editorial page editor at the New York Times, hosts the webinar.

Virtual Event by Dana Coester and Bruce Hoffman June 8, 2021 Local Journalists Webinars
Russia

What to Watch for at the Biden-Putin Summit

U.S.-Russia bilateral relations have fallen to a new low, with Ukraine, Belarus, cyberattacks, and nuclear weapons among the biggest disagreements. What’s the best way to judge this summit’s success?

In Brief by Stephen Sestanovich June 8, 2021 Europe Program
International Law

Illegal Fishing Is a Global Threat. Here’s How to Combat It.

Fishing provides a critical source of food and income for many countries, but much of it occurs unlawfully, harming vulnerable populations and eroding maritime governance.

Article by John C. Vann June 4, 2021
United States

Remembering Those Whom Memorial Day Honors

The United States has fought twelve major wars and numerous smaller skirmishes in its history. Memorial Day is how we honor the soldiers, sailors, airmen, airwomen, and marines who did not return hom…

Blog Post by James M. Lindsay May 28, 2021 The Water's Edge
Middle East and North Africa

What Is U.S. Policy on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict?

The United States has long tried to negotiate a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but several factors, including deep divisions between and within the parties and declining U.S. interest in carrying out its traditional honest-broker role, hurt the chances of a peace deal.

Backgrounder by Kali Robinson May 27, 2021
Security Alliances

The Quad in the Indo-Pacific: What to Know

The Quad, composed of the United States, Australia, India, and Japan, is not a formal alliance. Still, the group has intensified its security and economic ties as tensions with China rise.

In Brief by Sheila A. Smith May 27, 2021
United States

Conference on Diversity in International Affairs 2021

The Conference on Diversity in International Affairs brings together college and graduate students and young professionals from diverse backgrounds for plenaries on foreign policy topics, seminars on professional development, and opportunities to interact virtually with senior foreign policy professionals. The 2021 conference featured a keynote session with President of the Ford Foundation Darren Walker. The 2021 Conference on Diversity in International Affairs is a collaborative effort by the Council on Foreign Relations, the Global Access Pipeline, and the International Career Advancement Program. For information about the conference in previous years, please click here

Virtual Event by Karen Attiah, Dominique Carter, Kanchan Chandra, Hagar Hajjar Chemali, Heather Conley, Nayyera Haq, Andrew Kim, Rashida Petersen, Latoya Peterson, Keith B. Richburg, Kehinde A. Togun, Emerita Torres, Macani Toungara, Arturo A. Valenzuela and Darren Walker May 26, 2021
United States

Why a Commission Should Investigate the U.S. Capitol Attack

Far too little is known about how the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol happened. A bipartisan investigation should address this, to dispel falsehoods and to help prevent such an assault from happening again.

In Brief by Bruce Hoffman May 25, 2021 National Security and Defense Program
Health

What Does the CDC Do?

The federal agency has a broad mandate to protect Americans’ health and an expansive global reach. But the COVID-19 pandemic has emerged as one of its most daunting challenges.

Backgrounder by Claire Felter May 18, 2021