Politics and Government | Council on Foreign Relations

United Kingdom

UK Elections: What to Know

The United Kingdom appears poised for a political shift in response to deep economic concerns, but its foreign policy priorities are likely to remain consistent.

In Brief by Abigail McGowan June 27, 2024
France

France, Iran, and the UK Hold Snap Elections, EU Pushback on Chinese EVs, and More

France’s governance is at stake as it holds snap elections for its National Assembly, with the far-right National Rally looking to build on its success in the European Parliament elections; the United Kingdom (UK) has its own snap general elections with Keir Starmer and his Labour Party looking to end the fourteen-year rule of the Conservatives; Iran’s snap presidential elections could signal unity of regime hard-liners or glimmers of change; the European Union (EU) plans to impose provisional tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles; and Ukraine strikes more than thirty Russian oil refineries.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins June 27, 2024 The World Next Week
China

U.S.-China Relations

The United States and China have one of the world’s most important and complex bilateral relationships. Since 1949, the countries have experienced periods of both tension and cooperation over issues including trade, climate change, and Taiwan.

Timeline by CFR.org Editors June 26, 2024

Iran

Does Iran’s Presidential Election Matter?

The contest to replace Ebrahim Raisi, killed in a helicopter crash last month, is dominated by conservatives who have provided few signals of any major course change in the country’s regional and security policies.

Expert Brief by Ray Takeyh June 25, 2024 Middle East Program
Nigeria

Who Needs an Emir?

The ongoing Emirship tussle in Nigeria begs broader questions about the place of traditional rulership in Africa’s emerging democracies.

Blog Post by Ebenezer Obadare June 24, 2024 Africa in Transition
Election 2024

Election 2024: Will Next Week’s Debate Shake Up the Presidential Race?

Each Friday, I look at what the presidential contenders are saying about foreign policy. This Week: Both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump hope that next Thursday’s debate will tip the election in their favor.

Blog Post by James M. Lindsay June 21, 2024 The Water's Edge

Elections and Voting

Women This Week: Female Candidates Targeted Online in the United Kingdom

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers June 15 to June 21.

Blog Post by Noël James June 21, 2024 Women Around the World
South Africa

South Africa’s GNU: New Era or Ever More Difficult Slog?

South Africa has formed a governing majority; whether they can successfully govern remains to be seen.

Blog Post by Michelle Gavin June 20, 2024 Africa in Transition
Thailand

King Maha Vajiralongkorn's Controlling Style Belies a Weak Monarch

King Maha Vajiralongkorn of Thailand has reverted from the quieter, behind-closed-doors style of his much-loved father and directly involved himself in Thai domestic politics and the economy.

Blog Post by Joshua Kurlantzick and Pavin Chachavalpongpun June 17, 2024 Asia Unbound
Civil Society, Markets, and Democracy Program

At the Community of Democracies Meeting, the Biden Administration Downgraded Its Support for Democracy

By sending an acting deputy assistant secretary of state to represent the United States at the recent Community of Democracies meeting that the United States chaired, the Biden administration showed a lack of commitment to democracy.

Blog Post by Elliott Abrams June 15, 2024 Pressure Points
Election 2024

Election 2024: Will Washington Address Its Debt and Deficit Problem?

Each Friday, I look at what the presidential contenders are saying about foreign policy. This Week: The United States may come to rue its failure to get its fiscal house in order.

Blog Post by James M. Lindsay June 14, 2024 The Water's Edge
Politics and Government

The Changing Role of Foreign Policy at the U.S. National Conventions

The quadrennial U.S. presidential nominating conventions often focus on domestic themes. But they have at times been flavored by global economic concerns and national security threats, offering competing Democratic and Republican visions about the United States’ role in the world. In the 2024 race, Democratic incumbent Joe Biden and his challenger, Republican Donald Trump, are projecting starkly different worldviews.

Timeline by Jonathan Masters , Kevin Lizarazo and Jeremy Sherlick June 11, 2024
United States

Foreign Policy at the U.S. National Political Conventions

Foreign policy issues regularly come to the fore at the national political conventions, especially during periods of global instability. Sometimes the events are marked by bitter disagreements within the parties.

Backgrounder by Jonathan Masters and Gopal Ratnam June 11, 2024
European Union

The Right Surges in EU Elections, With Liana Fix and Matthias Matthijs

Liana Fix, a fellow for Europe at the CFR, and Matthias Matthijs, senior fellow for Europe at CFR and associate professor of international political economy at Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies, sit down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the results and consequences of the 2024 European Parliament elections.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay , Liana Fix and Matthias Matthijs June 11, 2024 The President’s Inbox
France

How Will the EU Elections Results Change Europe?

Far-right advances in the European Parliament elections have destabilized politics in France, a longstanding pillar of the European Union, and highlighted fault lines in the bloc.

In Brief by Liana Fix June 10, 2024 Europe Program