Ashley Ray

CFR Staff

Ashley Ray

Associate Director, Council of Councils

Ashley Ray is the associate director of the Council of Councils Initiative at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). Before joining CFR, she worked in foreign assistance and higher education. She holds a master's degree in international relations from the George Washington University and a master's degree in history from the University of Missouri in St. Louis.

Global

Global Summits to Watch in 2026: Bracing for a New Global (Dis)order?

Major global forums are scheduled in 2026 that will cover diverse topics including climate change, trade, and security. But the Donald Trump administration, as it continues to overhaul U.S. foreign policy, could unsettle the way such gatherings are held.

by Ashley Ray and Alexander Sarchet December 17, 2025
Global Governance

Global Summits to Watch in 2025: Priorities for a Splintering World

with Ashley Ray and Julia Katsovich via Council of Councils December 20, 2024

Iran

The Islamic Republic’s Power Centers

Who calls the shots in Iran on economic policy, security, and domestic calls for reform? A look at the government’s organization chart indicates how complicated the answer is.

by CFR Editors January 9, 2026

Climate Change

Global Climate Agreements: Successes and Failures

Introduction Over the last several decades, governments have collectively pledged to slow global warming. Despite intensified diplomacy, the world is already facing the consequences of climate cha…

by Lindsay Maizland and Clara Fong January 9, 2026 Renewing America

Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s Freedoms: What China Promised and How It’s Cracking Down

Beijing has tightened its grip on Hong Kong in recent years, dimming hopes that the financial center will ever become a full democracy.

by Lindsay Maizland and Clara Fong December 15, 2025

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