Ana Swanson

Why China-Taiwan Relations Are So Tense

Differences over Taiwan’s status have fueled rising tensions between the island and mainland. Taiwan is the likeliest potential flash point in U.S.-China relations.

Backgrounder by Lindsay Maizland and Clara Fong January 15, 2025

China

China’s Growing Influence in Latin America

For more than two decades, China has developed close economic and security ties with many Latin American countries, including Brazil and Venezuela. But Beijing’s growing sway in the region has raised concerns in Washington and beyond.

Backgrounder by Diana Roy January 10, 2025

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico: A U.S. Territory in Crisis

The Caribbean island, which shares a close yet fraught relationship with the U.S. mainland, faces a multilayered economic and social crisis rooted in long-standing policy and compounded by natural disasters, the COVID-19 pandemic, migration, and government mismanagement.

Backgrounder by Diana Roy and Amelia Cheatham January 8, 2025

Top Stories on CFR

Disasters

After the Fires: How to Rebuild Los Angeles

The wildfire devastation in Los Angeles will require California to develop far greater resiliency to climate-worsened disasters to sustain its revival—and a path for withstanding future disasters.

Expert Brief by Alice C. Hill January 14, 2025

Public Health Threats and Pandemics

What Is Avian Flu?

A recent surge in avian flu outbreaks in birds and some mammals, including humans, is worrying farmers, scientists, and public health experts. The threat of the virus becoming a pandemic is said to be low, but its evolution continues to raise alarms and pointed questions about preparedness.

Backgrounder by Mariel Ferragamo January 7, 2025

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

What to Know About the New U.S. AI Diffusion Policy and Export Controls

The Biden administration released new export controls on Monday, January 13, placing restrictions on advanced AI chips, cloud access, and model weights. The measures’ implementation will rely on the Trump administration’s support.

Post by Michael C. Horowitz January 13, 2025 Net Politics