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The U.S. military service chiefs discuss the future of American defense strategy, military readiness, and emerging global challenges.
The Robert B. McKeon Endowed Series on Military Strategy and Leadership features prominent individuals from the military and intelligence communities.
For those attending virtually, log-in information and instructions on how to participate during the question and answer portion will be provided the evening before the event to those who register. Please note the audio, video, and transcript of this hybrid meeting will be posted on the CFR website.
Events
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Former U.S. ambassadors and IAF alumni reflect on the challenges of representing American interests amid rising authoritarianism, strained alliances, and shifting trade and security priorities—as well as how diplomacy is adapting and what it continues to get right. The International Affairs Fellowship (IAF) Keynote is made possible through a generous gift from Janine and J. Tomilson Hill in support of CFR’s flagship International Affairs Fellowship (IAF) program. For more information, please visit CFR’s Fellowship Affairs Page. A special series of summer meetings will follow this session, featuring a selection of CFR’s recent IAFs, IAFs in Canada, IAFs in India, IAFs in Indonesia, IAFs in Japan, IAFs for Tenured International Relations Scholars, and IAFs in European Security. Information about the summer sessions will be announced at a later date.
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David Shambaugh, author of the new book, Breaking the Engagement: How China Won & Lost America, discusses the evolution of U.S.-China relations from the 1970s to today’s escalating trade war and evaluates the legacy of engagement. The C.V. Starr & Co. Annual Lecture on China was established in 2018 to honor the trailblazing career of C.V. Starr and the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of C.V. Starr & Co., Maurice R. Greenberg. This meeting is presented in partnership with CFR's China Strategy Initiative. Copies of Breaking the Engagement: How China Won & Lost America will be available for purchase. For those attending virtually, log-in information and instructions on how to participate during the question and answer portion will be provided the evening before the event to those who register. Please note the audio, video, and transcript of this meeting will be posted on the CFR website.
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Women and Foreign Policy Program
Progress for women’s political leadership is stagnating around the world, alongside global democracy decline. In 2024, in the year of elections, only five women out of thirty-one presidential elections won their campaigns. In addition, U.S. voters elected fewer women to the House of Representatives than at any time in the last two decades. The nonpartisan organization RepresentWomen works in the United States and globally to expand women’s political participation and strengthen representative democracy. Linda Robinson, senior fellow for women and foreign policy at the Council on Foreign Relations, and Cynthia Richie Terrell, executive director of RepresentWomen and co-founder of FairVote, discuss ongoing research on recent elections and how electoral rules and systems impact women’s political representation around the world. -
President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola examines the state of transatlantic relations, the evolving dynamics of the U.S.-EU partnership in the context of an increasingly unpredictable world, and the imperative for renewed transatlantic cooperation in addressing shared geopolitical challenges and upholding democratic values. Please note there is no virtual component to the meeting. The audio, video, and transcript of this meeting will be posted on the CFR website.
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Shashi Tharoor discusses the Pahalgam attack, the launch and objectives of Operation Sindoor, and the subsequent political and security developments arising from these events. Please note there is no virtual component to the meeting. Please note the audio, video, and transcript of this meeting will be posted on the CFR website.
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Lisa D. Cook discusses the U.S. economic outlook and monetary policy. The C. Peter McColough Series on International Economics brings the world’s foremost economic policymakers and scholars to address members on current topics in international economics. This meeting series is presented by the Maurice R. Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies. If you wish to attend virtually, log-in information and instructions on how to participate during the question and answer portion will be provided the evening before the event to those who register. Please note the audio, video, and transcript of this hybrid meeting will be posted on the CFR website.
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CFR experts discuss the recent court rulings on the legality of the Trump administration’s sweeping tariffs, and analyze the implications for U.S. trade policy, the impact on global markets, and the legal challenges ahead. This meeting is presented by RealEcon: Reimagining American Economic Leadership, a CFR initiative of the Maurice R. Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies. To register for this virtual meeting, please click the Register button. Please make note of the log-in information listed in this invitation so you may access the meeting.
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Panelists discuss the current global state of the critical mineral landscape, the importance of supply chain resilience to address national security concerns in an evolving geopolitical environment, and the recent minerals deal between the United States and Ukraine. This meeting is presented by RealEcon: Reimagining American Economic Leadership, a CFR initiative of the Maurice R. Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies.
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TRANSCRIPT SMITH: Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen. We’re going to get started. Thank you for being quiet so quickly. You guys are, like, the best behaved audience ever. I feel like if we nee…
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The heads of three foreign policy think tanks discuss whether alliances can withstand shifts in U.S. policy, how major allies are adapting their foreign and defense strategies, and what new coalitions might emerge in a changing global security and trade landscape. The Council of Councils (CoC) is an international initiative created by the Council on Foreign Relations to connect leading foreign policy institutes from around the world in a dialogue on issues of global governance and multilateral cooperation. The CoC is composed of twenty-eight major policy institutes from some of the world’s most influential countries. It is designed to facilitate candid, not-for-attribution dialogue and consensus-building among influential opinion leaders from both established and emerging nations, with the ultimate purpose of injecting the conclusions of its deliberations into high-level foreign policy circles within members’ countries. If you wish to attend virtually, log-in information and instructions on how to participate during the question and answer portion will be provided the evening before the event to those who register. Please note the audio, video, and transcript of this hybrid meeting will be posted on the CFR website.
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Farah Pandith and Joshua Geltzer discuss how artificial intelligence (AI) changes the operations of terrorist groups and violent extremists and the challenges and opportunities that AI poses in count…
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The U.S. military service chiefs discuss the future of American defense strategy, military readiness, and emerging global challenges. The Robert B. McKeon Endowed Series on Military Strategy and Leadership features prominent individuals from the military and intelligence communities. For those attending virtually, log-in information and instructions on how to participate during the question and answer portion will be provided the evening before the event to those who register. Please note the audio, video, and transcript of this hybrid meeting will be posted on the CFR website.
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Senator Brian Schatz discusses the future of funding for U.S. foreign assistance and diplomatic engagement and the ability of the United States to address global challenges. If you wish to attend virtually, log-in information and instructions on how to participate during the question and answer portion will be provided the evening before the event to those who register. Please note the audio, video, and transcript of this hybrid meeting will be posted on the CFR website.
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Panelists discuss recent developments in the conflict between India and Pakistan, analyzing the drivers of escalation, the domestic political dynamics shaping bilateral relations, and the potential consequences for regional security, great power competition, and U.S. foreign policy in South Asia. This is a virtual meeting through Zoom. Log-in information and instructions on how to participate during the question and answer portion will be provided the evening before the event to those who register. Please note the audio, video, and transcript of this virtual meeting will be posted on the CFR website.
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Edward Luce discusses his new book, Zbig: The Life of Zbigniew Brzezinski, America’s Great Power Prophet. During the Cold War, the Polish-born scholar and presidential counselor, Zbigniew Brzezinski, was a central figure in shaping U.S. foreign policy and helping to orchestrate the Soviet Union’s eventual collapse. Luce believes that Brzezinski’s legacy embodies the rise of foreign-born intellectuals in Washington’s strategic elite and is a powerful but often underappreciated thread in the story of America’s global ascendancy. The Paul C. Warnke Lecture on International Security was established in 2002 and is endowed by a number of Council members and the family and friends of Paul C. Warnke. The lecture commemorates his legacy of courageous service to the nation and international peace. If you wish to attend virtually, log-in information and instructions on how to participate during the question and answer portion will be provided the evening before the event to those who register. Please note the audio, video, and transcript of this hybrid meeting will be posted on the CFR website. Members may bring a guest to this event.
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The World Economic Update highlights the quarter’s most important and emerging trends. Discussions cover changes in the global marketplace with special emphasis on current economic events and their implications for U.S. policy. This series is presented by the Maurice R. Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies and is dedicated to the life and work of the distinguished economist Martin Feldstein. Please note there is no virtual component to the meeting. The audio, video, and transcript of this meeting will be posted on the CFR website.
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This event was part of the 2025 CFR Local Journalists Workshop, which is made possible through the generous support of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. TRANSCRIPT LABOTT: Everybody h…
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Censorship and Freedom of Expression
This event was part of the 2025 CFR Local Journalists Workshop, which is made possible through the generous support of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. TRANSCRIPT ROBBINS: Hi. Everyb… -
This event was part of the 2025 CFR Local Journalists Workshop, which is made possible through the generous support of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. TRANSCRIPT VOGT: I hope it ins…
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This event was part of the 2025 CFR Local Journalists Workshop, which is made possible through the generous support of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. TRANSCRIPT FROMAN: Well, good …
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Panelists compare 1990s Russia and the first decade of the 21st century with the U.S. political landscape today in a complex and changing world order. For those attending virtually, log-in information and instructions on how to participate during the question and answer portion will be provided the evening before the event to those who register. Please note the audio, video, and transcript of this meeting will be posted on the CFR website. This meeting is part of the Diamonstein-Spielvogel Project on the Future of Democracy.
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Panelists discuss how artificial intelligence is reshaping the national security landscape and how government and technology leaders can respond to emerging threats, protect critical systems, and manage global competition. This meeting is part of CFR’s Transition 2025 series, which examines the major foreign policy issues confronting the Trump administration. This is a virtual meeting through Zoom. Log-in information and instructions on how to participate during the question and answer portion will be provided the evening before the event to those who register. Please note the audio, video, and transcript of this meeting will be posted on the CFR website.
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CFR experts discuss President Donald Trump’s upcoming trip to the Gulf region, including what the trip could signify for Iran nuclear negotiations, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and U.S. policy in the Middle East.
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Panelists discuss how the arts and cultural institutions influence and reflect global affairs—shaping public diplomacy, fostering cross-cultural understanding, and contributing to the broader objectives of foreign policy. If you wish to attend virtually, log-in information and instructions on how to participate during the question and answer portion will be provided the evening before the event to those who register. Please note the audio, video, and transcript of this hybrid meeting will be posted on the CFR website. Members may bring a guest to this meeting.
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Panelists discuss the first one hundred days of the second Donald Trump administration in the historical context of the American presidency, comparing the policies implemented since Trump’s inauguration with those of past presidents, and what it means for U.S. democracy and foreign policy moving forward. This is a virtual meeting through Zoom. Log-in information and instructions on how to participate during the question and answer portion will be provided the evening before the event to those who register. Please note the audio, video, and transcript of this virtual meeting will be posted on the CFR website. This meeting is part of the Diamonstein-Spielvogel Project on the Future of Democracy.
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Founder and CEO of AlphaGeo Parag Khanna discusses the rapidly evolving geopolitical system, how to comprehensively compare countries according to metrics that matter, and how ranking the stability of nations can be used to better understand the world order that is forming. AlphaGeo's Periodic Table of States represents a holistic typology of geopolitical units across the diplomatic, economic, military, technological, cultural and other domains, as well as an effort to capture their complex interrelationships. Please note there is no virtual component to the meeting. The audio, video, and transcript of this meeting will be posted on the CFR website.
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Panelists discuss the international implications of the current avian flu outbreak, how the virus may continue to evolve and spread, and how the United States and other countries should address the crisis. This is a virtual meeting through Zoom. Log-in information and instructions on how to participate during the question and answer portion will be provided the evening before the event to those who register. Please note the audio, video, and transcript of this virtual meeting will be posted on the CFR website.
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Amelia Marchand, executive director of the L.I.G.H.T. Foundation, explores the intersection of Indigenous faith and climate action, discussing the role of faith-based Indigenous leaders in combating environmental challenges and advancing sustainable solutions for future generations.
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Former U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer shares his firsthand perspective on the Trump administration’s bold trade agenda, reflecting on the lasting impact of these policies and what they mean for the future of U.S. trade policy in an increasingly competitive global landscape. The C. Peter McColough Series on International Economics brings the world’s foremost economic policymakers and scholars to address members on current topics in international economics. This meeting series is presented by the Maurice R. Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies. If you wish to attend virtually, log-in information and instructions on how to participate during the question and answer portion will be provided the evening before the event to those who register. Please note the audio, video, and transcript of this hybrid meeting will be posted on the CFR website.
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European Commissioner, Valdis Dombrovskis, discusses macroeconomic trends, the impact of universal tariffs on the global trading system, and the state of transatlantic relations. Please note there is no virtual component to the meeting. The audio, video, and transcript of this meeting will be posted on the CFR website. The C. Peter McColough Series on International Economics brings the world’s foremost economic policymakers and scholars to address members on current topics in international economics. This meeting series is presented by the Maurice R. Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies. This meeting is presented by RealEcon: Reimagining American Economic Leadership, a CFR initiative of the Maurice R. Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies.
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Cloudflare Cofounder and CEO Matthew Prince discusses developments in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity technologies, countering national security threats and advancing technological research through public-private partnerships, and his perspective on navigating geopolitical crises as the leader of a multinational company. The Bernard L. Schwartz Annual Lecture on Economic Growth and Foreign Policy series focuses on two areas: the evolution of the relationship between business and government in the making of foreign policy, and ways for government to make better use of business in solving foreign policy problems. If you wish to attend virtually, log-in information and instructions on how to participate during the question and answer portion will be provided the evening before the event to those who register. Please note the audio, video, and transcript of this hybrid event will be posted on the CFR website.
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World Trade Organization (WTO)
World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala discusses the future of global trade and the WTO's role in the rules-based international system. The C. Peter McColough Series on International Economics brings the world’s foremost economic policymakers and scholars to address members on current topics in international economics. This meeting series is presented by the Maurice R. Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies. This meeting is presented by RealEcon: Reimagining American Economic Leadership, a CFR initiative of the Maurice R. Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies. If you wish to attend virtually, log-in information and instructions on how to participate during the question and answer portion will be provided the evening before the event to those who register. Please note the audio, video, and transcript of this hybrid meeting will be posted on the CFR website. -
Panelists discuss global financial efforts to support the reconstruction of Ukraine and help rebuild the country’s infrastructure and economy following Russia’s military aggression. This meeting is part of the Council Special Initiative on Securing Ukraine's Future. This event is part of the Wachenheim Program on Peace and Security which is made possible by the generous support of the Sue and Ed Wachenheim Foundation.
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IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi discusses the growing interest in acquiring nuclear weapons among nation-states, advancements in nuclear technology, the increasing global demand for nuclear energy, the evolving nuclear weapons programs in North Korea and Iran, and the impact of these historic trends on nuclear security, nuclear energy, and the viability of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty regime. For those attending virtually, log-in information and instructions on how to participate during the question and answer portion will be provided the evening before the event to those who register. Please note the audio, video, and transcript of this meeting will be posted on the CFR website.
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Please join us for a LIVE! taping of the CFR Why It Matters podcast. During this special taping and livestream, host Gabrielle Sierra and podcast guests discuss food diplomacy and share stories from White House state dinners where food helped create a lasting partnership. Why It Matters explains some of the least-understood issues that are shaping our world. Every two weeks, host Gabrielle Sierra speaks to a diverse lineup of guests with the goal of simplifying a complicated global topic. Will the world run out of coffee? Will wars be fought by killer robots? Is Hollywood giving in to Chinese censorship? With a little bit of humor and a lot of curiosity, Why It Matters is here to dig in and find out. Please note Why It Matters LIVE! will appear on all podcast feeds and stream live through CFR.org. The CFR Young Professionals Briefing Series provides an opportunity for those early in their careers to engage with CFR. The briefings feature remarks by experts on critical global issues and lessons learned in their careers. These events are intended for individuals who have completed their undergraduate studies and have not yet reached the age of thirty to be eligible to apply for CFR term membership.
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The goal of the workshop is to find new ways for college and university educators to encourage their students to learn about international relations and the role of the United States in the world. It provides an opportunity for educators to explore the wide array of CFR and Foreign Affairs teaching and research resources available to the academic community, participate in substantive briefings with subject experts as well as in group discussions, and share best practices and educational tools for bringing global issues into the classroom.