Council on Foreign Relations
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🌏 CFR is a resource for foreign policy news and analysis.
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CFR takes no institutional positions on policy. Follows, reposts, likes ≠ endorsements.
✉️ Subscribe to our newsletters: http://cfr.org/newsletters
The United States marks the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks "with a stunning lack of preparedness to handle mounting new threats and resurgent old ones," argue experts Bruce Hoffman and Farah Pandith.
Twenty-Five Years After 9/11, the United States Is Unprepared for Terrorism’s Next Wave | Council on Foreign Relations
Twenty-five years after al-Qaeda terrorists killed nearly three thousand civilians, technology is driving new terrorism threats to the U.S. homeland. Policymakers have been slow to recognize the dange...
www.cfr.org
September 11, 2026 at 1:00 PM
The United States marks the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks "with a stunning lack of preparedness to handle mounting new threats and resurgent old ones," argue experts Bruce Hoffman and Farah Pandith.
On September 11, 2001, a terrorist attack took the lives of nearly 3,000 people, and deeply affected the generations of Americans who witnessed it. 25 years later, we spoke with 3 Gen Z interns at CFR, all born after the attacks, about how they understand 9/11 and its legacy.
September 8, 2026 at 10:33 PM
On September 11, 2001, a terrorist attack took the lives of nearly 3,000 people, and deeply affected the generations of Americans who witnessed it. 25 years later, we spoke with 3 Gen Z interns at CFR, all born after the attacks, about how they understand 9/11 and its legacy.
CFR's U.S. Government Deal Tracker sheds light on how the government is experimenting with new tools and financing structures to advance a range of strategic sectors, including critical minerals, energy, global logistics, manufacturing, telecommunications, and other technologies.
Read the tracker:
Read the tracker:
www.cfr.org
September 1, 2026 at 7:39 PM
CFR's U.S. Government Deal Tracker sheds light on how the government is experimenting with new tools and financing structures to advance a range of strategic sectors, including critical minerals, energy, global logistics, manufacturing, telecommunications, and other technologies.
Read the tracker:
Read the tracker:
The Iran war has triggered the largest oil supply disruption in market history, yet barely dented global growth after 6 months of conflict. Strategic reserves and shale get the credit, but the unexpected cushion is the fuel everyone forgets—demand itself, argues expert Vijay V. Vaitheeswaran.
Crude Calculations: Why the Iran War Hasn’t Yet Caused an Oil Shock | Council on Foreign Relations
The Iran war has triggered the largest oil supply disruption in market history yet barely dented global growth after six months of conflict. Strategic reserves and shale get the credit, but the unexpe...
www.cfr.org
August 31, 2026 at 7:57 PM
The Iran war has triggered the largest oil supply disruption in market history, yet barely dented global growth after 6 months of conflict. Strategic reserves and shale get the credit, but the unexpected cushion is the fuel everyone forgets—demand itself, argues expert Vijay V. Vaitheeswaran.
For the first time in nearly 2 decades, a new Pew Research survey—based on interviews with more than 42,000 people across 36 countries—shows China is viewed more favorably than the US.
"This is a story driven more by an American decline in soft power than by a Chinese surge," writes Yanzhong Huang.
"This is a story driven more by an American decline in soft power than by a Chinese surge," writes Yanzhong Huang.
www.cfr.org
August 31, 2026 at 3:49 PM
For the first time in nearly 2 decades, a new Pew Research survey—based on interviews with more than 42,000 people across 36 countries—shows China is viewed more favorably than the US.
"This is a story driven more by an American decline in soft power than by a Chinese surge," writes Yanzhong Huang.
"This is a story driven more by an American decline in soft power than by a Chinese surge," writes Yanzhong Huang.
"Zambia's 2026 general elections are unlikely to leave many citizens feeling particularly confident in their democracy," writes expert Michelle Gavin. "That's a shame, because in 2021, the commitment of Zambian citizens served as a bright spot in dark times for democracy advocates around the world."
www.cfr.org
August 31, 2026 at 1:39 PM
"Zambia's 2026 general elections are unlikely to leave many citizens feeling particularly confident in their democracy," writes expert Michelle Gavin. "That's a shame, because in 2021, the commitment of Zambian citizens served as a bright spot in dark times for democracy advocates around the world."
On this episode of The President's Inbox podcast, James Lindsay sits down with expert Steven Cook to unpack the current state of the US-Iran conflict after 6 months of war, broader dynamics in the Middle East, and the shifting US role in the region.
Watch or listen wherever you get your podcasts:
Watch or listen wherever you get your podcasts:
PODCAST | The President's Inbox: Six Months of War With Iran, With Steven Cook | Council on Foreign Relations
This episode unpacks the current state of the U.S.-Iran conflict, broader dynamics in the Middle East, and the shifting U.S. role in the region.
www.cfr.org
August 29, 2026 at 11:17 PM
On this episode of The President's Inbox podcast, James Lindsay sits down with expert Steven Cook to unpack the current state of the US-Iran conflict after 6 months of war, broader dynamics in the Middle East, and the shifting US role in the region.
Watch or listen wherever you get your podcasts:
Watch or listen wherever you get your podcasts:
Despite the Trump Administration's sweeping new tariffs last year, U.S. spending on imports and income paid to foreigners continued to grow—to a record $6.26 trillion," writes Benn Steil. Trace which countries are running the world's biggest deficits and surpluses in CFR's Global Imbalances Tracker:
www.cfr.org
August 28, 2026 at 5:25 PM
Despite the Trump Administration's sweeping new tariffs last year, U.S. spending on imports and income paid to foreigners continued to grow—to a record $6.26 trillion," writes Benn Steil. Trace which countries are running the world's biggest deficits and surpluses in CFR's Global Imbalances Tracker:
Six months from the beginning of the U.S.-Israel war against Iran, 7 experts weigh in on what the conflict means for the U.S., the region, and what to look for moving forward.
Read more from Steven Cook, Farah Pandith, Henri Barkey, Elliott Abrams, Bruce Hoffman, Ed Husain, and Elisa Ewers:
Read more from Steven Cook, Farah Pandith, Henri Barkey, Elliott Abrams, Bruce Hoffman, Ed Husain, and Elisa Ewers:
The Iran War at Six Months: A Region—and Its Relationship With the U.S.—Transformed | Council on Foreign Relations
Six months on from the start of the Iran war, CFR experts weigh in on what it means for the United States and the region, and what to look for moving forward.
www.cfr.org
August 27, 2026 at 9:23 PM
Six months from the beginning of the U.S.-Israel war against Iran, 7 experts weigh in on what the conflict means for the U.S., the region, and what to look for moving forward.
Read more from Steven Cook, Farah Pandith, Henri Barkey, Elliott Abrams, Bruce Hoffman, Ed Husain, and Elisa Ewers:
Read more from Steven Cook, Farah Pandith, Henri Barkey, Elliott Abrams, Bruce Hoffman, Ed Husain, and Elisa Ewers:
President Trump signed an executive order that calls for changes to childhood vaccine recommendations. "This is the latest in a series of actions aiming to change the vaccine schedule through political directives rather than scientific processes," argues expert Stephanie Psaki.
www.cfr.org
August 27, 2026 at 8:11 PM
President Trump signed an executive order that calls for changes to childhood vaccine recommendations. "This is the latest in a series of actions aiming to change the vaccine schedule through political directives rather than scientific processes," argues expert Stephanie Psaki.
Trade talks between the U.S. and Canada collapsed last week, clearing the way for the Trump administration to impose new tariffs on Canadian goods.
Brad Setser breaks down between the United States and Canada could cost both countries and why other U.S. trading partners will be paying attention:
Brad Setser breaks down between the United States and Canada could cost both countries and why other U.S. trading partners will be paying attention:
The Real Cost of the U.S.-Canada Trade Breakdown | Council on Foreign Relations
Canada is the first U.S. ally to absorb tariff pain rather than settle. CFR’s Brad W. Setser explains what the breakdown costs both economies—and why other countries are likely watching the fallout cl...
www.cfr.org
August 27, 2026 at 7:49 PM
Trade talks between the U.S. and Canada collapsed last week, clearing the way for the Trump administration to impose new tariffs on Canadian goods.
Brad Setser breaks down between the United States and Canada could cost both countries and why other U.S. trading partners will be paying attention:
Brad Setser breaks down between the United States and Canada could cost both countries and why other U.S. trading partners will be paying attention:
The September/October 2026 issue of Foreign Affairs is out now.
The latest issue provides analysis on the future of U.S. alliances, the threat of a global economic crisis from Chinese overcapacity, the dangers of synthetic pathogens created with AI, and more.
Start reading: https://bit.ly/3SeiQaW
The latest issue provides analysis on the future of U.S. alliances, the threat of a global economic crisis from Chinese overcapacity, the dangers of synthetic pathogens created with AI, and more.
Start reading: https://bit.ly/3SeiQaW
August 27, 2026 at 5:04 PM
The September/October 2026 issue of Foreign Affairs is out now.
The latest issue provides analysis on the future of U.S. alliances, the threat of a global economic crisis from Chinese overcapacity, the dangers of synthetic pathogens created with AI, and more.
Start reading: https://bit.ly/3SeiQaW
The latest issue provides analysis on the future of U.S. alliances, the threat of a global economic crisis from Chinese overcapacity, the dangers of synthetic pathogens created with AI, and more.
Start reading: https://bit.ly/3SeiQaW
Governments across the globe are looking to nuclear energy as a stable power source in the face of geopolitical uncertainty, increasing electricity demand, and accelerating climate change.
Here's what’s driving renewed global interest in nuclear energy and the debate over its risk.
Here's what’s driving renewed global interest in nuclear energy and the debate over its risk.
Why Nuclear Energy Is Making a Global Comeback | Council on Foreign Relations
Nuclear energy is gaining momentum as countries seek reliable, low-emission power sources to meet increasing electricity demand and climate goals amid uncertainty in fossil fuel markets. Its revival renews long-standing debates over safety and nuclear p...
www.cfr.org
August 24, 2026 at 9:22 PM
Governments across the globe are looking to nuclear energy as a stable power source in the face of geopolitical uncertainty, increasing electricity demand, and accelerating climate change.
Here's what’s driving renewed global interest in nuclear energy and the debate over its risk.
Here's what’s driving renewed global interest in nuclear energy and the debate over its risk.
CFR's U.S. Government Deal Tracker sheds light on how the government is experimenting with new tools and financing structures to advance a range of strategic sectors, including critical minerals, energy, global logistics, manufacturing, telecommunications, and other technologies.
Read the tracker:
Read the tracker:
www.cfr.org
August 24, 2026 at 1:48 PM
CFR's U.S. Government Deal Tracker sheds light on how the government is experimenting with new tools and financing structures to advance a range of strategic sectors, including critical minerals, energy, global logistics, manufacturing, telecommunications, and other technologies.
Read the tracker:
Read the tracker:
President Trump signed an executive order that calls for changes to childhood vaccine recommendations. "This is the latest in a series of actions aiming to change the vaccine schedule through political directives rather than scientific processes," argues expert Stephanie Psaki.
www.cfr.org
August 23, 2026 at 4:10 PM
President Trump signed an executive order that calls for changes to childhood vaccine recommendations. "This is the latest in a series of actions aiming to change the vaccine schedule through political directives rather than scientific processes," argues expert Stephanie Psaki.
"Call it the Pakistan paradox: The institution that gives the country international relevance—a disciplined 660,000-strong military armed with nuclear weapons—holds back the Islamic republic's political and economic modernization," argues CFR expert Sadanand Dhume.
www.wsj.com
August 22, 2026 at 7:32 PM
"Call it the Pakistan paradox: The institution that gives the country international relevance—a disciplined 660,000-strong military armed with nuclear weapons—holds back the Islamic republic's political and economic modernization," argues CFR expert Sadanand Dhume.
For the first time in nearly 2 decades, a new Pew Research survey—based on interviews with more than 42,000 people across 36 countries—shows China is viewed more favorably than the US.
"This is a story driven more by an American decline in soft power than by a Chinese surge," writes Yanzhong Huang.
"This is a story driven more by an American decline in soft power than by a Chinese surge," writes Yanzhong Huang.
www.cfr.org
August 21, 2026 at 4:06 PM
For the first time in nearly 2 decades, a new Pew Research survey—based on interviews with more than 42,000 people across 36 countries—shows China is viewed more favorably than the US.
"This is a story driven more by an American decline in soft power than by a Chinese surge," writes Yanzhong Huang.
"This is a story driven more by an American decline in soft power than by a Chinese surge," writes Yanzhong Huang.
"Zambia’s 2026 general elections are unlikely to leave many citizens feeling particularly confident in their democracy," writes expert Michelle Gavin. "That’s a shame, because in 2021, the commitment of Zambian citizens served as a bright spot in dark times for democracy advocates around the world."
Zambia’s Messy Election | Council on Foreign Relations
What to make of Zambia’s 2026 general elections?
www.cfr.org
August 20, 2026 at 9:28 PM
"Zambia’s 2026 general elections are unlikely to leave many citizens feeling particularly confident in their democracy," writes expert Michelle Gavin. "That’s a shame, because in 2021, the commitment of Zambian citizens served as a bright spot in dark times for democracy advocates around the world."
Sadanand Dhume has viewed foreign policy through the lens of a foreign correspondent, a newspaper columnist, and an author.
He sat down with us to discuss his experiences covering the economy and extremism, his evolution in journalism, and his advice for those seeking to break into foreign policy.
He sat down with us to discuss his experiences covering the economy and extremism, his evolution in journalism, and his advice for those seeking to break into foreign policy.
www.cfr.org
August 20, 2026 at 3:18 PM
Sadanand Dhume has viewed foreign policy through the lens of a foreign correspondent, a newspaper columnist, and an author.
He sat down with us to discuss his experiences covering the economy and extremism, his evolution in journalism, and his advice for those seeking to break into foreign policy.
He sat down with us to discuss his experiences covering the economy and extremism, his evolution in journalism, and his advice for those seeking to break into foreign policy.
Despite Nigerian President Tinubu's recent progress in confronting terrorism and a security partnership with the United States, the situation across the country remains critical, argues Africa expert Ebenezer Obadare.
Is the Trump-Tinubu Collaboration Working? | Council on Foreign Relations
Despite undeniable progress, insecurity in Nigeria remains by and large intractable.
www.cfr.org
August 20, 2026 at 11:56 AM
Despite Nigerian President Tinubu's recent progress in confronting terrorism and a security partnership with the United States, the situation across the country remains critical, argues Africa expert Ebenezer Obadare.
President Trump's order last weekend to scale back joint military exercises with South Korea, just hours before the drills were due to kick off, privately incensed South Korean officials in a country "where Washington’s popularity had already been plummeting," writes Josh Kurlantzick.
Trump’s South Korea Move Fuels Growing Fears of U.S. Retreat From Asia | Council on Foreign Relations
Trump’s abrupt rollback of joint military exercises with South Korea is the latest in a series of actions draining Asian allies’ confidence in U.S. security commitments—and hands China another opening...
www.cfr.org
August 19, 2026 at 8:52 PM
President Trump's order last weekend to scale back joint military exercises with South Korea, just hours before the drills were due to kick off, privately incensed South Korean officials in a country "where Washington’s popularity had already been plummeting," writes Josh Kurlantzick.
New reporting indicates that the Trump administration’s campaign of strikes on alleged drug-smuggling vessels, ongoing since 2025—could be "bigger, more secretive, and run by more actors than previously understood, making congressional oversight both more important and harder," writes Will Freeman.
Unclaimed Boat Strikes in Ecuador: Has Trump’s Operation Southern Spear Opened a Hidden Front? | Council on Foreign Relations
New reporting indicates that Trump’s boat strike program could be more secretive, larger, and more resistant to oversight than previously known.
www.cfr.org
August 19, 2026 at 4:27 PM
New reporting indicates that the Trump administration’s campaign of strikes on alleged drug-smuggling vessels, ongoing since 2025—could be "bigger, more secretive, and run by more actors than previously understood, making congressional oversight both more important and harder," writes Will Freeman.
The September/October 2026 issue of Foreign Affairs is out now.
The latest issue provides analysis on the future of U.S. alliances, the threat of a global economic crisis from Chinese overcapacity, the dangers of synthetic pathogens created with AI, and more.
Start reading: https://bit.ly/3SeiQaW
The latest issue provides analysis on the future of U.S. alliances, the threat of a global economic crisis from Chinese overcapacity, the dangers of synthetic pathogens created with AI, and more.
Start reading: https://bit.ly/3SeiQaW
August 19, 2026 at 12:08 PM
The September/October 2026 issue of Foreign Affairs is out now.
The latest issue provides analysis on the future of U.S. alliances, the threat of a global economic crisis from Chinese overcapacity, the dangers of synthetic pathogens created with AI, and more.
Start reading: https://bit.ly/3SeiQaW
The latest issue provides analysis on the future of U.S. alliances, the threat of a global economic crisis from Chinese overcapacity, the dangers of synthetic pathogens created with AI, and more.
Start reading: https://bit.ly/3SeiQaW
The U.S.-aligned order could now become a Middle East with two blocs: the countries that remained committed to the Abraham Accords—the 2020 normalization agreements between Israel and Bahrain, Morocco, and the UAE—and its alternative, the Mecca Agreement, argues Steven Cook.
Read the full analysis:
Read the full analysis:
The U.S.-Led Middle East Order Is Over. The Mecca Agreement Proves It. | Council on Foreign Relations
A defense pact between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey shows how far U.S. influence in the Middle East has eroded--and how regional powers are now shaping their own security order.
www.cfr.org
August 18, 2026 at 7:54 PM
The U.S.-aligned order could now become a Middle East with two blocs: the countries that remained committed to the Abraham Accords—the 2020 normalization agreements between Israel and Bahrain, Morocco, and the UAE—and its alternative, the Mecca Agreement, argues Steven Cook.
Read the full analysis:
Read the full analysis:
President Trump’s desire to end the confrontation with Iran quickly, so oil flows and prices drop, has left him with no real bargaining position, writes expert Elliott Abrams.
Read his full analysis:
Read his full analysis:
Trump’s Iran Negotiations: Less Art of the Deal, More Art of Concealing Defeat | Council on Foreign Relations
Trump’s desire to end the confrontation with Iran quickly, so oil flows and prices drop, has left him with no real bargaining position. That has emboldened Iran to demand a deal that would let it mone...
www.cfr.org
August 18, 2026 at 4:20 PM
President Trump’s desire to end the confrontation with Iran quickly, so oil flows and prices drop, has left him with no real bargaining position, writes expert Elliott Abrams.
Read his full analysis:
Read his full analysis: