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    Global Climate Agreements: Successes and Failures

    International efforts, such as the Paris Agreement, aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But experts say countries aren’t doing enough to limit dangerous global warming.

    by Lindsay Maizland and Clara Fong January 21, 2025 Renewing America

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    Myanmar’s Troubled History

    Introduction Throughout its decades of independence, Myanmar has struggled with military rule, civil war, poor governance, and widespread poverty. A military coup in February 2021 dashed hopes for…

    by Lindsay Maizland January 31, 2022

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    During the 2020 presidential campaign, Joe Biden promised that his administration would make a “historic effort” to reduce long-running racial inequities in health. Tobacco use—the leading cause of p…

    by Olivia Angelino, Thomas J. Bollyky, Elle Ruggiero and Isabella Turilli February 1, 2023 Global Health Program

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    Four points framed Dr. Doshi’s remarks to the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. First, China is an ambitious and formidable competitor unlike any the United States h…

    Testimony by Rush Doshi May 22, 2025 China Strategy Initiative

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    2025 International Affairs Fellowship Conference: Diplomacy in a Changing World

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    Former U.S. ambassadors and IAF alumni reflect on the challenges of representing American interests amid rising authoritarianism, strained alliances, and shifting trade and security priorities—as well as how diplomacy is adapting and what it continues to get right. The International Affairs Fellowship (IAF) Keynote is made possible through a generous gift from Janine and J. Tomilson Hill in support of CFR’s flagship International Affairs Fellowship (IAF) program. For more information, please visit CFR’s Fellowship Affairs Page.  A special series of summer meetings will follow this session, featuring a selection of CFR’s recent IAFs, IAFs in Canada, IAFs in India, IAFs in Indonesia, IAFs in Japan, IAFs for Tenured International Relations Scholars, and IAFs in European Security. Information about the summer sessions will be announced at a later date.

    Virtual Event with Mark F. Brzezinski, Jendayi E. Frazer, Cameron R. Hume, James M. Lindsay and Michael Froman June 11, 2025

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Middle East and North Africa

Lebanon

  • Lebanon
    Lebanon: How Israel, Hezbollah, and Regional Powers Are Shaping Its Future
    An array of domestic and foreign powers are vying for influence in Lebanon, including the Lebanese Armed Forces, Hezbollah, Israel, Iran, Syria, and the United States.
    by Jonathan Masters January 27, 2025
  • Syria
    Syria After Assad: What to Know About HTS, Hezbollah, and Iran
    The ascendance of Sunni Islamist rebels in Syria should be viewed with great caution by Western powers, but the Assad regime’s collapse disables a critical node in Iran’s regional proxy network.
    by Bruce Hoffman December 9, 2024 National Security and Defense Program
  • Syria
    Weighing Syria’s Future
    In this video interview, CFR’s Steven A. Cook sits down with CNN’s Primetime Weekend Newsroom anchor Jessica Dean and CNN military analyst Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling to discuss a post-Assad Syria.
    by Steven A. Cook December 9, 2024 Middle East Program
  • Israel
    Sharon, Netanyahu, and the Lebanon Deal
    Israel must act firmly to enforce the Lebanon agreement or it will collapse within months--and only Israel can be expected to enforce it.
    by Elliott Abrams November 27, 2024 Pressure Points
  • Lebanon
    What Is Hezbollah?
    The Iran-backed Shiite militia was considered the most powerful non-state group in the Middle East, but an Israeli military campaign against Hezbollah in 2024 has considerably weakened it.
    by CFR.org Editors October 29, 2024
  • Georgia
    France Presses for Lebanon Aid, Japan Holds Snap Election, Georgia’s Divided Vote, and More
    Podcast
    France seeks to spur international support for humanitarian aid for Lebanon as fighting grinds on between Israel and Hezbollah; Japan holds a snap general election as Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru hopes to rally the embattled and longtime ruling Liberal Democratic Party; Georgia heads to the polls in an election that could shift the country away from the European Union and firmly into Russia’s orbit; and China and India reach a border deal.
    Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins October 24, 2024 The World Next Week
  • Lebanon
    Where is the Lebanese Zelensky, Part II
    My recent blog post "Where is the Lebanese Zelensky" elicited an interesting response suggesting that it is international support, not Lebanese voices opposing Hezbollah, that's missing today. 
    by Elliott Abrams October 18, 2024 Pressure Points
  • Lebanon
    Where is the Lebanese Zelensky?
    Lebanon may have an opportunity to escape from Hezbollah domination now, but only if Lebanese political leaders show courage that has thus far been missing.
    by Elliott Abrams October 17, 2024 Pressure Points
  • Israel
    One Year After the October 7 Attacks: The Impact on Four Fronts
    The turbulent year since Hamas’s brutal attack on Israel draws to a close, marked by a sharp escalation in conflict between Israel and Iran and its proxies. Four CFR experts assess the changes since the attacks.
    by Elliott Abrams , Linda Robinson , Ray Takeyh and Steven A. Cook October 2, 2024 Middle East Program
  • Israel
    One Year Later: U.S. Policy Options in the Israel-Hamas War
    Play
    As the one-year anniversary of the October 7 attacks approaches, panelists discuss U.S. policy options regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict, including the administration’s proposed peace deal and the ramifications of the upcoming U.S. presidential election.
    Virtual Event by Elliott Abrams , Aaron David Miller, Mara E. Rudman, Dana L. Stroul and Ethan Bronner October 1, 2024 Middle East Program
  • Lebanon
    The Nasrallah Killing Is a Crushing Blow to Hezbollah
    Hezbollah leader Sayed Hassan Nasrallah possessed a rare set of abilities that made the group a formidable foe to Israel and a power broker in Lebanon. His killing by Israel sharply weakens the threat posed by the group and its patron, Iran.
    by Bruce Hoffman September 28, 2024
  • Diplomacy and International Institutions
    UN Meets in Tense Times, Pager Explosions Rattle Hezbollah, Biden’s Last Quad Summit, and More
    Podcast
    The UN General Assembly begins its seventy-ninth high-level debate amid questions about its limited role in resolving major conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East; fears of a wider regional war grow as Hezbollah vows retaliation against Israel after thousands of pagers exploded across Lebanon; U.S. President Joe Biden hosts the leaders of the Quad in Wilmington, Delaware, to strengthen coordination in the Indo-Pacific region; and Russia seeks to add 180,000 troops to its army.
    Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins September 19, 2024 The World Next Week
  • Lebanon
    What Escalating Hezbollah-Israel Tensions and the War in Gaza Mean for Lebanon
    Already hobbled by economic struggles, Lebanon now faces the prospect of war as the militant group and political party Hezbollah clashes with Israel in apparent support of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
    by Christina Bouri June 6, 2024 Middle East Program
  • Iran
    Iran’s Regional Armed Network
    Iran’s web of armed partners such as Hezbollah and the Houthis serves to strengthen its influence in the Middle East and could pose a significant threat to the United States and U.S. allies in the region, especially Israel.  
    by Kali Robinson and Will Merrow April 15, 2024
  • Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
    Israel-Hamas War: Regional Escalation and U.S. Strategy
    Play
    Panelists discuss the regional escalation of the Israel-Hamas war, developments in flashpoints including in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen, attacks on U.S. forces and the consequences for U.S. strategy in the Middle East.  
    Virtual Event by Nadwa Al-Dawsari, Jon B. Alterman, Gregory D. Johnsen and Kimberly Dozier February 12, 2024 Middle East Program
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