Explainers

Special Projects

CFR produces a range of special resources, including trackers and data visualizations, for policymakers and citizens to get up to speed on major foreign policy and security challenges.

Interactives Filters and Cards

Iran
Crisis Guide: Iran
Iran poses steep challenges to its Middle East neighbors and the world. Explore the country’s complex regime structure and controversial nuclear program, and watch experts debate the range of policy options. This is a special feature presentation from CFR that offers a unique, full-screen experience.
Pakistan
Crisis Guide: Pakistan
Pakistan’s stability is of great consequence to regional and international security. Examine the roots of its challenges, what it means for the region and the world, and explore some plausible futures for the country. This is a special feature presentation from CFR that offers a unique, full-screen experience.
Energy and Climate Policy
Nuclear Energy Guide
After decades of decline, nuclear power is increasingly presented as a low-carbon way to meet growing electricity demands. Global construction of new reactors is on the rise, but there still exists an array of obstacles to expansion. This interactive guide explores the past, present, and future of nuclear power, focusing on its unique benefits and risks.
Elections and Voting
2012: The Year of Elections
Elections throughout the world in 2012 brought several countries to a crossroads as they struggled with the eurozone debt crisis, the formation of post-Arab Spring governments, and recovery from economic malaise. This timeline revisits twelve of the year’s most pivotal elections.
Economic Crises
Crisis Guide: The Global Economy
An in-depth, multimedia look at the causes and consequences of the global economic crisis that seeks to unravel the questions surrounding the downturn and shed light on its policy implications, drawing on insights from leading thinkers on economics and international affairs.
Global Governance
Global Governance Monitor
An interactive multimedia feature that maps out and evaluates multilateral efforts to address some of the most difficult international issues.
Economics
Motion Chart: Economic Power Shifts
Follow recent shifts in economic clout among the world’s major economies.
Budget, Debt, and Deficits
Motion Chart: Household Balance Sheet
Track the correlation between U.S. housing prices and household debt.
Trade
Motion Chart: Global Imbalances
Track the rise of global trade imbalances among the world’s major economies.
Budget, Debt, and Deficits
Motion Chart: Financial Failures
Follow the health, size, and debt levels of major investment banks over time.
Climate Change
Crisis Guide: Climate Change
An in-depth, multimedia look at climate change, its global impact, and efforts to combat it.
Media
Politics and the Olympics
An interactive slideshow looking at how the Olympics have served as political showcases for nations, individuals, and ideologies.
International Organizations
Africa’s Conflict Zones
An interactive map examining conflict zones on the African continent.
Israel
Crisis Guide: The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
An in-depth, multimedia look at the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its geopolitical repercussions.
Politics and Government
Interactive Map: Horn of Africa
An interactive map of the Horn of Africa.