On the Record
A curated selection of thought-provoking events from the Council on Foreign Relations, featuring expert panels, keynote conversations, and global policy discussions.
Episodes
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 persp...
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
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, ...
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 M...
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. Gr...
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, German...
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. ...
In this episode, panelists discuss the implications of U.S.-China relations on the international economy, including how tariff negotiations, supply chain restructuring, and technological competition effect global business.
Host: Michael Froman, President, Council on Foreign Relations
Guests: Albert Bourla, Chairman and Chief Executive Office, Pfizer, Inc; CFR Member
Gina M. Raimondo, Distinguished Fellow, Council on Foreign...
In this episode, Dr. Anwar Gargash, diplomatic advisor to the president of the United Arab Emirates, discusses the rapidly evolving conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States and its implications for the Middle East, including the diplomatic and security challenges facing Gulf states.
Host: Ethan Bronner, Israel Bureau Chief and Senior Editor, Bloomberg; CFR Member
Guests: Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Advisor to the Pr...
In this episode, panelists discuss the ongoing geoeconomic consequences of the conflict in Iran, including global energy flows and oil prices, economic development and AI buildout in the Gulf region, and sanctions on Russia. They also explore inflation and interest rates as markets respond to the crises.
Background Reading:
- In this article, CFR president Michael Froman discusses the unfolding glo...
In this episode, panelists discuss Iran’s current political climate, concerns for civilians on the ground, and how the country’s rapidly evolving internal dynamics are shaping U.S. objectives as well as broader regional and international considerations.
Background Reading:
- In this article, International Affairs Fellow Sam Vigersky discusses the global economic disruption caused by the Iran war an...
In this episode, Under Secretary of War for Policy Elbridge Colby discusses the U.S. National Defense Strategy under the Donald Trump administration.
Background Reading:
- In this article, seven CFR experts consider the implications of the National Security Strategy document released on December 5, 2025, by the Trump administration.
Host: Michael Froman, President, Council on Foreign Rela...
In this episode, panelists explore three critical issues for securing Ukraine’s future: achieving a just and durable peace, ensuring long-term security, and helping the country rebuild and recover from the ravages of war.
Background Reading:
- This article offers concrete recommendations by five CFR experts for securing the future of Ukraine and Europe.
Host: Jonathan Karl, ABC News chief W...
In this episode, John C. Williams, president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, discusses monetary policy and the economic outlook for the year ahead.
Background Reading:
- This article highlights the trade policies four CFR experts will be monitoring this year.
Host: Abby Joseph Cohen, Professor of Business, Columbia Business School
Guests: John C. Williams, President and ...
In this episode, experts discuss the new Council Special Report, America Revived: A Grand Strategy of Resolute Global Leadership, which defines U.S. vital national interests, summarizes the history of U.S. grand strategy, and proposes an alternative that combines military strength with international legitimacy.
Background Reading:
- This report outlines the conceptual pillars of five grand strategy...
Since civil war erupted on April 15, 2023, between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, Sudan has become the site of the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. More than ten million people have been displaced, over half of the population needs humanitarian assistance, and over 750,000 people are facing catastrophic levels of hunger. In this episode, experts discuss ongoing humanitarian efforts, the chall...
In this episode, Senators Christopher Coons and Pete Ricketts—members of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations—discuss the role of Congress in formulating, resourcing, and creating the institutional basis for China policy.
Background Reading:
- This article outlines CFR President Michael Froman’s take on artificial intelligence competition between the United States and China
Host: Rush ...
CFR’s World Economic Update highlights the quarter’s most important and emerging trends. This episode covers changes in the global marketplace, with a special emphasis on current economic events and their implications for U.S. policy.
Host: Sebastian Mallaby, Paul A. Volcker Senior Fellow for International Economics, CFR
Guests: Jan Hatzius, Chief Economist and Head of Global Investment Research, The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
...
In this episode, experts discuss the United States’ renewed interest in Greenland—which the Trump administration argues is vital to U.S. national security—and what it means for Arctic security, the NATO alliance, and great power competition.
Background Reading:
- This article unpacks Trump’s increasingly assertive push to bring Greenland under U.S. control and what that means for the NATO alliance ...
For two-and-a-half centuries, the United States has faced a challenging world. Some of its responses have made Americans proud. Others have not. CFR asked members of the Society for Historians of American Foreign Relations what they considered the best and worst U.S. foreign policy decisions. In this episode, panelists discuss the results of the project and the evolution of America’s role in the world.
Host: David M. Rubenstein, ...
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