Explainers
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A Unique Military Force: The U.S. National Guard
The National Guard is a special part of the U.S. military that answers to both state governors and the president. In some instances, how leaders have used the Guard has generated controversy, particularly when responding to civil unrest.The National Guard is a special part of the U.S. military that answers to both state governors and the president. In some instances, how leaders have used the Guard has generated controversy, particularly when responding to civil unrest. -
How COVID-19 Is Harming State and City Budgets
The coronavirus pandemic is placing enormous budget pressure on state and local governments, threatening deep and potentially lasting cuts to education, infrastructure, and other important investments.The coronavirus pandemic is placing enormous budget pressure on state and local governments, threatening deep and potentially lasting cuts to education, infrastructure, and other important investments. -
Venezuela: The Rise and Fall of a Petrostate
Venezuela’s descent into economic and political chaos in recent years is a cautionary tale of the dangerous influence that resource wealth can have on developing countries.Venezuela’s descent into economic and political chaos in recent years is a cautionary tale of the dangerous influence that resource wealth can have on developing countries. -
What Is the Iran Nuclear Deal?
The United States’ withdrawal from the arms control agreement has heightened tensions and left the remaining signatories scrambling to keep the deal alive.The United States’ withdrawal from the arms control agreement has heightened tensions and left the remaining signatories scrambling to keep the deal alive.
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After Trump, Is American Democracy Doomed by Populism?
The Trump presidency has demonstrated the appeal of populist authoritarianism to many Americans. The way the country responds to the attack on the U.S. Capitol will indicate how long this movement lasts.The Trump presidency has demonstrated the appeal of populist authoritarianism to many Americans. The way the country responds to the attack on the U.S. Capitol will indicate how long this movement lasts. -
After Trump: What Will Biden Do on Trade?
President Trump disrupted U.S. trade policy in the name of better deals. President-Elect Biden proposes a combination of stronger domestic investment and better coordination with allies.President Trump disrupted U.S. trade policy in the name of better deals. President-Elect Biden proposes a combination of stronger domestic investment and better coordination with allies. -
How Dangerous Are New COVID-19 Strains?
The global distribution of COVID-19 vaccines is underway, but the emergence of new coronavirus strains threatens to make the pandemic far worse before it gets better.The global distribution of COVID-19 vaccines is underway, but the emergence of new coronavirus strains threatens to make the pandemic far worse before it gets better. -
Domestic Terrorism Strikes U.S. Capitol, and Democracy
The breaching of the U.S. Capitol and disruption of the presidential succession by a pro-Trump mob has inflicted lasting damage on the nation’s image as a bastion of democracy. The country should now dedicate itself to rebuilding civil discourse.The breaching of the U.S. Capitol and disruption of the presidential succession by a pro-Trump mob has inflicted lasting damage on the nation’s image as a bastion of democracy. The country should now dedicate itself to rebuilding civil discourse.
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Trump’s Second Impeachment, Biden’s Inauguration, and More
U.S. President Donald J. Trump’s second impeachment reverberates in Congress, Washington braces for President-Elect Joe Biden’s inauguration amid increased security concerns, and the incoming Biden team prepares to ramp up COVID-19 vaccine distribution.U.S. President Donald J. Trump’s second impeachment reverberates in Congress, Washington braces for President-Elect Joe Biden’s inauguration amid increased security concerns, and the incoming Biden team prepares to ramp up COVID-19 vaccine distribution. -
Transition 2021: How Will Biden Manage COVID-19?
Thomas J. Bollyky, director of the global health program and senior fellow for global health, economics, and development at CFR, and Jennifer Nuzzo, CFR senior fellow for global health, sit down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the incoming Biden administration’s likely approach to the COVID-19 pandemic.Thomas J. Bollyky, director of the global health program and senior fellow for global health, economics, and development at CFR, and Jennifer Nuzzo, CFR senior fellow for global health, sit down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the incoming Biden administration’s likely approach to the COVID-19 pandemic. -
Transition 2021 Replay: Biden’s CIA Director Nominee on U.S. Diplomacy
President-Elect Joe Biden recently nominated Ambassador William J. Burns to serve as the director of the Central Intelligence Agency. In June of 2019, Ambassador Burns and James M. Lindsay discussed American diplomacy and international cooperation in the age of America first on The President’s Inbox.President-Elect Joe Biden recently nominated Ambassador William J. Burns to serve as the director of the Central Intelligence Agency. In June of 2019, Ambassador Burns and James M. Lindsay discussed American diplomacy and international cooperation in the age of America first on The President’s Inbox.
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Women's Workplace Equality Index
Most countries still have laws that make it harder for women to work than men. This inequality shortchanges not only women but also entire economies.Most countries still have laws that make it harder for women to work than men. This inequality shortchanges not only women but also entire economies. -
Constitutional Change in Japan
Japan's constitutional debate is about not simply the document's past but also the nation's ability to respond to twenty-first-century challenges.Japan's constitutional debate is about not simply the document's past but also the nation's ability to respond to twenty-first-century challenges. -
China's Digital Silk Road
A Transformative Approach to Technology Financing or a Danger to Freedoms?A Transformative Approach to Technology Financing or a Danger to Freedoms? -
President-Elect Biden on Foreign Policy
President-Elect Joe Biden will face a suite of challenges on the global stage, from nuclear tensions with North Korea to coordinating a response to the ongoing pandemic.President-Elect Joe Biden will face a suite of challenges on the global stage, from nuclear tensions with North Korea to coordinating a response to the ongoing pandemic.
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The Council on Foreign Relations at 100: The History
2021 marks the 100th anniversary of the Council on Foreign Relations. Since its inception in 1921, the Council has been guided by an unwavering set of core principles: independence, nonpartisanship, and a commitment to producing quality, policy-relevant scholarship. The CFR’s mission, to provide the analysis and context necessary to inform America’s foreign policy choices and to increase public understanding of the world and why it matters, remains as urgent today as at any time in the past century.2021 marks the 100th anniversary of the Council on Foreign Relations. Since its inception in 1921, the Council has been guided by an unwavering set of core principles: independence, nonpartisanship, and a commitment to producing quality, policy-relevant scholarship. The CFR’s mission, to provide the analysis and context necessary to inform America’s foreign policy choices and to increase public understanding of the world and why it matters, remains as urgent today as at any time in the past century. -
The Council in 2020: Year in Review
A global pandemic, elections, civil unrest, and much more. The year 2020 was like no other. Take a look back at how the Council on Foreign Relations brought together renowned experts and leaders to unpack one of the most challenging times for the United States and the world.A global pandemic, elections, civil unrest, and much more. The year 2020 was like no other. Take a look back at how the Council on Foreign Relations brought together renowned experts and leaders to unpack one of the most challenging times for the United States and the world. -
The Path to a COVID-19 Vaccine
How is a vaccine developed? Can a vaccine end the COVID-19 pandemic? Senior Fellow Tom Bollyky answers pressing questions about the search for a coronavirus vaccine.How is a vaccine developed? Can a vaccine end the COVID-19 pandemic? Senior Fellow Tom Bollyky answers pressing questions about the search for a coronavirus vaccine. -
What to Know About Genocide in Xinjiang
Human rights activists now say China's crackdown on Uighur Muslims meets the criteria of genocide. Here's why.Human rights activists now say China's crackdown on Uighur Muslims meets the criteria of genocide. Here's why.
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U.S. Relations With China
Since 1949, U.S.-China relations have evolved from tense standoffs to a complex mix of intensifying diplomacy, growing international rivalry, and increasingly intertwined economies.Since 1949, U.S.-China relations have evolved from tense standoffs to a complex mix of intensifying diplomacy, growing international rivalry, and increasingly intertwined economies. -
The U.S. War in Afghanistan
The Taliban insurgency remains resilient nearly two decades after U.S.-led forces toppled its regime in what led to the United States’ longest war.The Taliban insurgency remains resilient nearly two decades after U.S.-led forces toppled its regime in what led to the United States’ longest war. -
Election Security 2020
In the weeks leading up to the 2020 election, technology firms and the U.S. government took steps to prevent and combat election interference in cyberspace. Nonetheless, there were still a handful of incidents.In the weeks leading up to the 2020 election, technology firms and the U.S. government took steps to prevent and combat election interference in cyberspace. Nonetheless, there were still a handful of incidents. -
U.S.-India Relations
Since India’s independence, ties with the United States have weathered Cold War–era distrust and estrangement over India’s nuclear program. Relations have warmed in recent years and cooperation has strengthened across a range of economic and political areas.Since India’s independence, ties with the United States have weathered Cold War–era distrust and estrangement over India’s nuclear program. Relations have warmed in recent years and cooperation has strengthened across a range of economic and political areas.