Explainers

In Briefs

Succinct rundowns on the world’s most important developments, produced by CFR’s scholars and editorial team. 

In Brief Filters and Cards

Ukraine
Comparing the Size and Capabilities of the Russian and Ukrainian Militaries
Russia holds a sizable advantage over Ukraine on troop numbers and weaponry yet the two sides have fought to a standstill. Russia this spring has ramped up attacks on civilian targets while resisting U.S. ceasefire calls.
United States
What Is the Defense Production Act?
Presidents Trump and Biden have turned to the Defense Production Act to address the country’s vital needs, from stimulating critical supply chains during the COVID-19 pandemic to countering growing competition with China. How does the law work?
Sanctions
Three Years of War in Ukraine: Are Sanctions Against Russia Making a Difference?
The United States and its allies have imposed broad economic penalties on Russia over its war in Ukraine. As the conflict continues, experts debate whether the sanctions are working.
Syria
Does Trump’s Change to U.S.-Syria Relations Affect Refugees?
Trump’s decision to lift sanctions on Syria and meet with its new president is a major shift in U.S.-Syria relations, but it may not be an indicator that Syrian refugees should return home any time soon. 
United States
Anatomy of a Film Tariff: Trump’s Proposed Movie Tariffs Cast a Shadow on Cannes
Cinema was the latest item to fall into Trump’s tariff crosshairs. The White House has since walked the proposal back, but the industry remains on edge about its return and the possible economic consequences it could have on the arts.  
Canada
Canada’s 2025 Elections: Why the U.S. Is on the Ballot
Canadians are heading to the polls at the most fraught moment in U.S.-Canada relations in eighty years.
Romania
What’s at Stake in Romania’s 2025 Elections?
Romania will hold its rescheduled presidential elections in May in what could be a major test for the country’s democracy after the earlier results were annulled due to charges of Russian interference.
United States
Here’s Where Trump’s Deportations Are Sending Migrants
The Trump administration’s deportations of undocumented immigrants are accelerating as part of a broader crackdown on unauthorized immigration. The focus so far has been on hundreds of flights, mainly to Latin American countries.
Yemen
Iran’s Support of the Houthis: What to Know
Iranian support has boosted the military prowess of Yemen’s Houthi rebels, helping them project force into the Red Sea. Ramped up U.S.-led attacks on the group raise the prospect of military escalation with Iran.
Palestinian Territories
The UN’s Palestinian Aid Controversy: What’s at Stake
The leading UN aid agency for Palestinian refugees faces severe funding cuts and suspended services, with huge consequences for millions of Palestinians. It remains enmeshed in controversy over accusations that some of its employees were involved in Hamas’s 2023 attack on Israel.
Panama
What’s Causing the Panama Canal Logjam
Low water levels have led to a traffic jam at one of the world’s busiest maritime passages. The bottleneck demonstrates how accelerating climate change is threatening global supply chains.
Western Sahara
What Does the Western Sahara Conflict Mean for Africa?
After a decades-long cease-fire crumbled in 2020, Morocco and the pro-independence Polisario Front have resumed fighting over the disputed Western Sahara.
Election 2024
How Does Immigration Affect the U.S. Economy?
Presidential candidates Harris and Trump differ sharply on the benefits of immigration for the U.S. economy. What role do immigrants play?
Immigration and Migration
Golden Passports and Visas: How Investment Migration Works
Programs that allow foreign investors to buy residency or citizenship in another country are growing in popularity, but some carry economic and security risks.
United States
The CHIPS Act: How U.S. Microchip Factories Could Reshape the Economy
The CHIPS and Science Act seeks to revitalize the U.S. semiconductor industry amid growing fears of a China-Taiwan conflict. Where is the money going, and how is the effort playing out?