CFR On the Record

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Jun 2026

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A chance to go inside Council on Foreign Relations events. Listen to world leaders and foreign policy experts discuss and debate the most pressing issues in international affairs.

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45 recent

June 12, 202656 min

On U.S. Democracy, Belonging, and Power

In this episode, panelists discuss what American democracy has and hasn't delivered on equality, access, and opportunity, and whether that internal reckoning is now inseparable from the country's standing and credibility as a world leader. Host: Meena Bose, Executive Dean, Public Policy and Public Service Programs and Director, Peter S. Kalikow Center for the Study of the American Presidency, Kalikow School of Government, Public Policy and International Affairs, Hofstra University; CFR Member Guests: Jamelle Bouie, Opinion Columnist, New York Times Jane Kamensky, President and Chief Executive Officer, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello; Jonathan Trumbull Professor of American History Emerita, Harvard University Elizabeth Rule, Assistant Professor of Critical Race, Gender, and Culture Studies, American University; Author, Indigenous DC: Native Peoples and the Nation's Capital Introductory Remarks: Michael Froman, President, Council on Foreign Relations; CFR Member Want more comprehensive analysis of global news and events sent straight to your inbox? Subscribe to CFR’s Daily News Brief newsletter. To keep tabs on all CFR events, visit cfr.org/event. To watch this event, please visit it on our YouTube channel: America at 250: Democracy, Belonging, and Power

June 5, 202658 min

On the Iran War’s Global Economic Effects

On this episode, panelists provide an update on the geoeconomic consequences of the Iran war and the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, including disruptions to oil, gas, and other commodity markets, and the longer-term implications for the petrodollar system and the energy transition. Host: Edward Fishman, Senior Fellow and Director of the Maurice R. Greenberg Center for Geoeconomics, Council on Foreign Relations Speakers: Daniel H. Yergin, Vice Chairman, S&P Global; CFR Member Helima Croft, Managing Director and Global Head of Commodity Strategy, RBC Capital Markets; CFR Member Mallika Sachdeva, Managing Director, Head of FX Thematics, Deutsche Bank Research Want more comprehensive analysis of global news and events sent straight to your inbox? Subscribe to CFR’s Daily News Brief newsletter. To keep tabs on all CFR events, visit cfr.org/event. To watch this event, please visit it on our YouTube channel: How the Iran War is Remaking the Global Economy

May 29, 20261 hr 16 min

On U.S. Trade Policy with Jamieson Greer

In this episode, U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer discusses recent developments in the administration’s global economic trade strategy. Host: Michael Froman, President, Council on Foreign Relations, Former U.S. Trade Representative (2013-17) Guest: Jamieson Greer, Ambassador, U.S. Trade Representative Want more comprehensive analysis of global news and events sent straight to your inbox? Subscribe to CFR’s Daily News Brief newsletter. To keep tabs on all CFR events, visit cfr.org/event. To watch this event, please visit it on our YouTube channel: A Conversation With Jamieson Greer

May 22, 20261 hr 14 min

On the Future of American Power

In this moment of renewed debate over the United States’ role in the world, CFR launches the Future of American Strategy Initiative, a multiyear effort to develop a strategic vision for U.S. foreign policy and answer a defining question: Where does America go from here? Led by Senior Fellow Rebecca Lissner, a leading U.S. foreign policy practitioner and scholar, the Future of American Strategy Initiative will bring together perspectives across ideological lines to develop new thinking on U.S. foreign policy. In this episode, members of the Senate Armed Services Committee discuss the defense priorities, investments, and strategic choices that will define American power in the decade ahead. Host: Dasha Burns, White House Bureau Chief and Host, The Conversation, Politico; Host, Ceasefire, C-SPAN Guests: Elissa Slotkin, U.S. Senator from Michigan (D); Member, Senate Armed Services Committee; Member, Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Tim Sheehy, U.S. Senator from Montana (R), Member, Senate Armed Services Committee Introductory Remarks: Michael Froman, President, Council on Foreign Relations; CFR Member Rebecca Lissner, Senior Fellow for U.S. Foreign Policy and Director of the Future of American Strategy Initiative, Council on Foreign Relations Want more comprehensive analysis of global news and events sent straight to your inbox? Subscribe to CFR’s Daily News Brief newsletter. To keep tabs on all CFR events, visit cfr.org/event. To watch this event, please visit it on our YouTube channel: Europe’s Response to the Iran War

May 15, 202644 min

On the Iran War’s Economic Impact in Asia

In this episode, Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masato Kanda discusses the economic impact of the Middle East conflict on Asia and the Pacific, ADB’s response, and the need for countries to strengthen resilience against future shocks. Host: Brad W. Setser, Whitney Shepardson Senior Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations Guests: Masato Kanda, President, Asian Development Bank Want more comprehensive analysis of global news and events sent straight to your inbox? Subscribe to CFR’s Daily News Brief newsletter. To keep tabs on all CFR events, visit cfr.org/event. To watch this event, please visit it on our YouTube channel: A Conversation With President Masato Kanda of the Asian Development Bank

May 8, 20261 hr 0 min

On Europe’s Response to the Iran War

In this episode, panelists discuss European responses to the war in Iran, efforts in conflict resolution, and the implications for the transatlantic relationship, EU cohesion, and Europe’s long-term strategic direction. Host: Serge Schmemann, Editorial Writer, New York Times; CFR Member Guests: Alexandra de Hoop Scheffer, Chief Executive Officer and President, German Marshall Fund of the United States Douglas E. Lute, Chair, International and Defense Practices, BGR Group; Former U.S. Ambassador to NATO (2013-17); CFR Member Ellie Geranmayeh, Deputy Director, Middle East and North Africa Programme and Senior Policy Fellow, European Council on Foreign Relations Want more comprehensive analysis of global news and events sent straight to your inbox? Subscribe to CFR’s Daily News Brief newsletter. To keep tabs on all CFR events, visit cfr.org/event. To watch this event, please visit it on our YouTube channel: Europe’s Response to the Iran War

May 1, 202658 min

On U.S. Policy Options in War with Iran

In this episode, panelists assess the evolving situation in Iran, identify U.S. policy options for ending the conflict, and examine the implications of each potential next step. Host: Janine Zacharia, Carlos Kelly McClatchy Lecturer, Stanford University; CFR Member Guests: Brian H. Hook, Vice Chairman, Cerberus Global Investments, LP; Former U.S. Special Representative for Iran and Senior Policy Advisor to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (2018– 2020) Michele Flournoy, Cofounder and Managing Partner, WestExec Advisors; Former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy (2009– 2011); Member, Board of Directors, CFR Want more comprehensive analysis of global news and events sent straight to your inbox? Subscribe to CFR’s Daily News Brief newsletter. To keep tabs on all CFR events, visit cfr.org/event. To watch this event, please visit it on our YouTube channel: U.S. Policy Options in the War with Iran

April 24, 20261 hr 2 min

Rafael M. Grossi on Nuclear Challenges and the Future of the United Nations

In this episode, International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael M. Grossi discusses his candidacy for UN secretary-general, his plans and priorities for the future of the United Nations, and the challenges facing nuclear security, nuclear energy, and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty regime. Host: Esther Brimmer, James H. Binger Senior Fellow in Global Governance, Council on Foreign Relations Guests: Rafael M. Grossi, Director General, International Atomic Energy Agency; Nominee, Position of UN Secretary-General Want more comprehensive analysis of global news and events sent straight to your inbox? Subscribe to CFR’s Daily News Brief newsletter. To keep tabs on all CFR events, visit cfr.org/event. To watch this event, please visit it on our YouTube channel: 2026 UN Secretary-General Candidates Series: A Conversation With Rafael M. Grossi

April 17, 20261 hr 1 min

On Rethinking Humanitarian Partnerships in an Age of Crisis

In this episode, panelists examine how multilateral partnerships, innovative approaches, and strengthened financing can scale recovery and humanitarian efforts, enhance inclusion, and deliver durable outcomes for crisis-affected communities. Host: Shannon K. O'Neil, Senior Vice President of Studies and Maurice R. Greenberg Chair, CFR Guests: Reem Alabali Radovan, Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Germany Hanin Sayyed, Minister of Social Affairs of Lebanon David Miliband, President and Chief Executive Officer, International Rescue Committee; Former Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, United Kingdom Dr. Rajiv J. Shah, President, The Rockefeller Foundation; Former Administrator, U.S. Agency for International Development; CFR Member Want more comprehensive analysis of global news and events sent straight to your inbox? Subscribe to CFR’s Daily News Brief newsletter. To keep tabs on all CFR events, visit cfr.org/event. To watch this event, please visit it on our YouTube channel: Delivering at the Frontline: Scaling Support for Fragile and Conflict-Affected States

April 10, 202648 min

Odd Lots Live at CFR: On How European Industry Is Getting Crushed

In this episode, former Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo discusses her view that European industry is being hollowed out by China and that the only path forward is a unified global trading bloc excluding China—an idea she said is being thwarted by the Trump administration. The episode also covers the legacy of the CHIPS Act and Raimondo’s fears that artificial intelligence could create mass unemployment and destabilize democracy. Host: Joe Weisenthal, Odd Lots Co-host, Bloomberg Host: Tracy Alloway, Odd Lots Co-host, Bloomberg Guest: Gina M. Raimondo, Distinguished Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations; Former U.S. Secretary of Commerce Want more comprehensive analysis of global news and events sent straight to your inbox? Subscribe to CFR’s Daily News Brief newsletter. To keep tabs on all CFR events, visit cfr.org/event. To watch this event, please visit it on our YouTube channel: U.S.-China Relations and the Global Economy

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