Michael Weilandt

CFR Staff

Michael Weilandt

Research Associate, Geoeconomics

Michael Weilandt is a research associate for geoeconomics at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). Before joining CFR, he worked as an economic consultant and completed an internship at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and English from Tulane University.

Most Recent

Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s Freedoms: What China Promised and How It’s Cracking Down
Beijing has tightened its grip on Hong Kong in recent years, dimming hopes that the financial center will ever become a full democracy.

by Lindsay Maizland and Clara Fong December 15, 2025

United States

How Does Immigration Affect the U.S. Economy?
Immigrants have long played a critical role in the U.S. economy, filling labor gaps, driving innovation, and exercising consumer spending power. But political debate over their economic contributions has ramped up under the second Trump administration.

by Diana Roy December 4, 2025

G20 (Group of Twenty)

What Does the G20 Do?
The Group of Twenty, an informal gathering of many of the world’s largest economies, is the premier global forum for discussing international economic issues. Its 2025 summit marks the first time the forum is hosted in Africa, but questions loom about the group’s continued relevance. 

by CFR Editors November 18, 2025

Top Stories on CFR

Venezuela

Assessing Venezuela’s Future After Nicolás Maduro’s Bold Capture
Four CFR experts review the capture of the Venezuelan leader and examine the challenges and uncertainty that the United States, Venezuela, and the region could face.

by Shannon K. O'Neil, Elliott Abrams, Max Boot and Roxanna Vigil January 3, 2026 Latin America Studies Program

Iran

Unpacking Iran’s Protests and Trump’s Threats
The Islamic Republic has experienced multiple mass protests in recent years, but the latest round of demonstrations come at a particularly difficult moment for the regime.

by Ray Takeyh January 3, 2026 Middle East Program

Conflict Prevention

Conflicts to Watch in 2026
The world continues to grow more violent and disorderly. According to CFR’s annual conflict risk assessment, American foreign policy experts are acutely concerned about conflict-related threats to U.S. national security and international stability that are likely to emerge or intensify in 2026. In this report, surveyed experts rate global conflicts by their likelihood and potential harm to U.S. interests and, for the first time, identify opportunities for preventive action.

by Paul B. Stares December 18, 2025 Center for Preventive Action