The Water's Edge | Council on Foreign Relations

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M23 rebels in Goma-Gisenyi in eastern Congo on March 1, 2025. REUTERS/Arlette Bashizi

The President’s Inbox Recap: Conflict in Eastern Congo

by Oscar Berry March 19, 2025

The resurgence of Rwanda-backed insurgents in eastern Congo has reignited a decades-old conflict over ethnic rivalries, mineral wealth, and political representation.

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Foreign Policy

Ten Most Significant World Events in 2024

As 2024 comes to a close, here are the ten most notable world events of the year.

Article by James M. Lindsay December 23, 2024 The Water's Edge

Elections and Voting

Ten Elections to Watch in 2025

Numerous countries will hold elections in 2025. Here are ten to watch.

Article by James M. Lindsay December 10, 2024 The Water's Edge

United States

Ten Anniversaries to Note in 2025

As 2024 comes to a close, here are ten notable historical anniversaries to mark in 2025.

Post by James M. Lindsay December 3, 2024 The Water's Edge

U.S. Foreign Policy Program

The President's Inbox Episodes by Topic (2023-2024)

Each episode of The President's Inbox from 2023 and 2024 organized by topic.

Article by James M. Lindsay January 6, 2025 The Water's Edge

United States

Transition 2025: Did Trump Win an “Unprecedented and Powerful Mandate”?

Each Friday, I examine what is happening with President-elect Donald Trump’s transition to the White House. This week: Donald Trump’s victory was closer, and his mandate less impressive, than Election Night reports suggested.

Post by James M. Lindsay November 22, 2024 The Water's Edge

United States

Election 2024: How to Respond to the Axis of Autocracies

Each Friday, I look at what the presidential contenders are saying about foreign policy. This week: Increased cooperation among China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea will present the next president with tough choices.

Post by James M. Lindsay October 25, 2024 The Water's Edge

United States

Election 2024: Is the United States Ready to Confront the Axis of Autocracies?

Each Friday, I look at what the presidential contenders are saying about foreign policy. This week: Rising cooperation among China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea will likely test whoever takes office on Inauguration Day.

Post by James M. Lindsay October 18, 2024 The Water's Edge

Global

The President's Inbox Episodes by Topic

A comprehensive list of each episode of The President's Inbox organized by topic.

Post by James M. Lindsay March 4, 2021 The Water's Edge

U.S. Foreign Policy

TWE Book and Film Recommendations

Looking for something to read or watch? Here is a list of all the books and films recommended on The Water’s Edge.

Post by James M. Lindsay November 10, 2021 The Water's Edge

United States

TWE History-Related Blogs and Videos

A list of all blog posts and videos reflecting on historical events from The Water's Edge.

Post by James M. Lindsay December 1, 2021 The Water's Edge

United States

TWE Remembers: Learning More About the Cuban Missile Crisis

The Cuban missile crisis brought the United States and the Soviet Union closer to nuclear war than any other event during the Cold War. President John F. Kennedy put the odds of war at “somewhere bet…

Post by James M. Lindsay October 16, 2012 The Water's Edge

United States

The History of the Cold War in 40 Quotes

On Monday, I posted my nominees for ten Cold War histories worth reading. But many people don’t have the time or patience to plow through comprehensive histories. So for TWE readers looking to save t…

Post by James M. Lindsay November 7, 2014 The Water's Edge

Vietnam

The Vietnam War in Forty Quotes

Last month, I did a series of posts commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of the arrival of U.S. combat troops in Vietnam on March 8, 1965. Today marks another significant date in the Vietnam War: t…

Post by James M. Lindsay April 30, 2015 The Water's Edge

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Regions

United States

American Public Support for Ukraine Grows

As Donald Trump pushes for a quick end to the war in Ukraine, Americans increasingly favor doing more to help Kyiv.

Post by James M. Lindsay March 18, 2025 The Water's Edge

United States

Donald Trump’s Slumping Poll Numbers

The American public dislikes the president’s efforts to remake the U.S. economy and foreign policy, but they are unlikely to constrain him.

Post by James M. Lindsay March 14, 2025 The Water's Edge

United States

The President’s Inbox Recap: U.S. Space Policy

The proliferation of space debris and a lack of agreed-upon rules threatens the essential benefits of space for commerce and security.

Post by Oscar Berry March 11, 2025 The Water's Edge

China

The President’s Inbox Recap: Reporting from China

The decline of U.S. foreign reporting in China widens the gap between the two societies and heightens the risk of crises spiraling out of control.

Post by Oscar Berry March 7, 2025 The Water's Edge

United States

Donald Trump Makes His Case to a Joint Session of Congress

The president will speak to an American public divided over his administration’s policies.

Post by James M. Lindsay March 3, 2025 The Water's Edge

United States

Trump and Zelenskyy Clash in the Oval Office

The goal of negotiating an end to the war in Ukraine just got harder.

Post by James M. Lindsay February 28, 2025 The Water's Edge

United States

The President’s Inbox Recap: Trump’s Peace Plan for Ukraine

Trump is looking to negotiate directly with Moscow to secure a peace deal on Ukraine.

Post by Oscar Berry February 27, 2025 The Water's Edge

United States

The President’s Inbox Recap: Modi Meets Trump

Modi and Trump seek closer ties even as policy and politics constrain what they can accomplish.

Post by Oscar Berry February 20, 2025 The Water's Edge

United States

TWE Celebrates Presidents’ Day

The forty-seven presidents of the United States have some interesting stories to tell.

Article by James M. Lindsay February 15, 2025 The Water's Edge

United States

A Presidents’ Day Quiz

The fourteenth annual TWE Presidents' Day quiz.

Article by James M. Lindsay February 14, 2025 The Water's Edge