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Defense Policy

On Navigating Crises Inside the Situation Room

CFR - Fri, 10/10/2025 - 2:00am

U.S. Department of State officials are the foremost representatives of U.S. interests around the world, helping to manage relationships with foreign governments, international organizations, and the people of other countries. Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Dean of Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs Keren Yarhi-Milo discuss their new book, Inside the Situation Room, and lessons for future leaders navigating national security crises.

 

Background Reading: 

  • This post unpacks leaked reform plans that the Donald Trump administration seeks to make to the State Department.

 

Host: David Westin, Anchor, Bloomberg

 

Guests: Hillary Rodham Clinton, 67th U.S. Secretary of State

Keren Yarhi-Milo, Dean and Adlai E. Stevenson Professor of International Relations, Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA)

John J. Sullivan, Partner, Mayer Brown; Former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State

 

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To keep tabs on all CFR events, visit cfr.org/event. To watch this event, please visit our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juwvr_yrwz4 



Categories: Defense Policy

On the Future of the U.S. Economy

CFR - Fri, 10/03/2025 - 10:33am

In September 2025, the U.S. Federal Reserve approved a quarter-point interest rate cut. The move came amid a softening labor market, above-target inflation, heightened uncertainty about Trump’s trade and tariff policy, and other conditions that present significant challenges to monetary policymakers. Against this backdrop, Susan M. Collins, the president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, discusses the United States’ current economic outlook. 

 

Background Reading: 

  • This backgrounder unpacks the role of the U.S. Federal Reserve, and its ongoing struggles with inflation and political scrutiny.

 

Host: Seema Mody, Technology and Global Markets Correspondent, CNBC

 

Guest: Susan M. Collins, President and Chief Executive Officer, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston

 

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To keep tabs on all CFR events, visit cfr.org/event. To watch this event, please visit our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJgEznKrwKY 

Categories: Defense Policy

UN High Commissioner Volker Türk On Human Rights

CFR - Fri, 09/26/2025 - 2:21pm

From Sudan to the war in Gaza, 2025 has seen the continuation of major humanitarian crises across the globe. Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, examines a range of these crises, while also exploring issues such as financing, reform, and declining multilateral consensus. 

 

This conversation was hosted by the Council on Foreign Relations during the 80th United Nations General Assembly. 

 

Background Reading: 

  • This expert brief outlines the Trump administration's move away from UN human rights standards. 
  • This post discusses the most recent U.S. report on Human Rights Practices. 

 

Host: Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations

 

Guest: Volker Türk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

 

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To keep tabs on all CFR events, visit cfr.org/event. To watch this event, please visit our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/live/Hami3lD8MeY?si=8Uzbhk09q45hB8jC 

Categories: Defense Policy

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa On Trade, Reform, and the BRICS Alliance

CFR - Wed, 09/24/2025 - 11:37am

Long before Trump retook the Oval Office, policymakers were concerned that South Africa's growing ties with Russia and China could undermine Washington’s strategic interests in the region. Against the backdrop of these concerns, President Cyril Ramaphosa examines South Africa’s domestic priorities, its bilateral trade relations with the United States, the future of BRICS, and the country’s role in Southern Africa.

 

This conversation was hosted by the Council on Foreign Relations during the 80th United Nations General Assembly. 

 

Background Reading: 

  • This post unpacks the confrontational meeting between South African President Ramaphosa and U.S. President Trump in May 2025.

 

Host: Richard Stengel, Political Analyst at MSNBC; Former Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs at the U.S. Department of State

 

Guest: Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa

 

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Categories: Defense Policy

Canadian PM Mark Carney On NATO, Trade, and the Middle East

CFR - Mon, 09/22/2025 - 3:01pm

The U.S.-Canadian relationship boasts a history of cooperation, peaceful borders, and strong trade ties. However, the partnership has come under strain during the second Trump administration, in part due to sweeping tariffs that have called into question Canada’s economic ties to Washington. Against this backdrop, Prime Minister Mark Carney discusses Canada’s role in NATO, the ongoing war in Gaza, Canada’s foreign policy priorities, and the new global economy. 

 

This conversation was hosted by the Council on Foreign Relations during the 80th United Nations General Assembly. 

 

Background Reading: 

  • This backgrounder unpacks Canada’s fraught trade relationship with the United States.
  • This timeline highlights the U.S.-Canada partnership over the last century, and how trade tensions and territorial disputes have strained relations in recent years.

 

Host: Michael Froman, President, Council on Foreign Relations

 

Guest: Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada

 

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Categories: Defense Policy

On U.S. National Security Challenges

CFR - Fri, 09/19/2025 - 2:00am

Since the start of the second Trump administration, the National Security Council (NSC) has seen its staff reduced from around 350 employees to fewer than 100, with dozens of policy experts abruptly dismissed or placed on administrative leave this May. Former U.S. National Security Advisors Thomas E. Donilon, Stephen J. Hadley, and Susan E. Rice unpack how the recent reorganization could affect U.S. foreign policy decision-making. 

 

Background Reading:

  • This backgrounder from CFR Education outlines the role of the U.S. National Security Council.

 

Host: Michael Froman, President, Council on Foreign Relations

 

Guests: Susan E. Rice, Former National Security Advisor (2013–17); CFR Member

 

Thomas E. Donilon, Former National Security Advisor (2010–13); Member, Board of Directors, Council on Foreign Relations

 

Stephen J. Hadley, Former National Security Advisor (2005–09); CFR Member

 

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To keep tabs on all CFR events, visit cfr.org/event. To watch this event, please visit our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTvZJxAGnW4 

Categories: Defense Policy

On Gaza’s Humanitarian Crisis

CFR - Fri, 09/12/2025 - 2:00am

Former UN Undersecretary-General Sigrid Kaag discusses the state of humanitarian assistance in Gaza and the role of the international community in supporting relief efforts.

 

Background Reading:

  • Malnutrition has reached alarming levels in Gaza, with famine declared in the territory’s most populated region. As Israel continues to block aid from entering Gaza, this backgrounder explains how hunger is now reportedly affecting more than just civilians on the ground. 
  • As the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip continues, some countries have announced their intent to recognize the Palestinian territories as a sovereign nation, but full independence and UN membership remain elusive. This backgrounder unpacks the quest for Palestinian statehood.

 

Host:

Steven Kalin, Foreign Correspondent at the Wall Street Journal

 

Guest:

Sigrid Kaag, Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process; Former United Nations Undersecretary-General

 

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To keep tabs on all CFR events, visit cfr.org/event. To watch this event, please visit our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPUiqLythfc 

Categories: Defense Policy

On Gaza’s Humanitarian Crisis

CFR - Fri, 09/12/2025 - 2:00am

Former UN Undersecretary-General Sigrid Kaag discusses the state of humanitarian assistance in Gaza and the role of the international community in supporting relief efforts.

 

Background Reading:

  • Malnutrition has reached alarming levels in Gaza, with famine declared in the territory’s most populated region. As Israel continues to block aid from entering Gaza, this backgrounder explains how hunger is now reportedly affecting more than just civilians on the ground. 
  • As the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip continues, some countries have announced their intent to recognize the Palestinian territories as a sovereign nation, but full independence and UN membership remain elusive. This backgrounder unpacks the quest for Palestinian statehood.

 

Host: Steven Kalin, Foreign Correspondent at the Wall Street Journal

 

Guest: Sigrid Kaag, Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process; Former United Nations Undersecretary-General

 

Want more comprehensive analysis of global news and events 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 our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPUiqLythfc 

Categories: Defense Policy

On Pope Leo XIV’s First 100 Days

CFR - Tue, 08/12/2025 - 2:00pm

Experts discuss Pope Leo XIV’s foreign policy priorities during his first 100 days and the Vatican’s evolving role in international diplomacy. 

 

Host: Claire Giangravé, Vatican Reporter for Religion News Service

 

Guests: Thomas J. Reese, Senior Analyst for Religion News Service

 

Stephen Schneck, Commissioner of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom

 

George Weigel, Senior Fellow of the Ethics and Public Policy Center

 

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To keep tabs on all CFR events, visit cfr.org/event. To watch this event, please visit our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYbURipvtj0 

Categories: Defense Policy

Defensive Space Analysis Tool (DSPAT): Version 2.0

RAND - Fri, 01/05/2018 - 2:00am
This user's manual explains how to employ Defensive Space Analysis Tool (DSPAT) within a game-theoretic framework for assessing the potential deterrent value, escalation risks, and political costs of alternative space control options. This manual describes the tool; guides users through the processes of opening, populating, and running it; and explains how to interpret its outputs.
Categories: Defense Policy

Gaming Space: A Game-Theoretic Methodology for Assessing the Deterrent Value of Space Control Options

RAND - Fri, 01/05/2018 - 2:00am
This report introduces and explains a game-theoretic methodology to help decisionmakers assess the potential effects of alternative approaches to space control. Specifically, we sought to develop a methodology to identify those defensive space control options that would likely contribute to deterrence without increasing political costs and risks of escalation.
Categories: Defense Policy

Assessing Bid Protests of U.S. Department of Defense Procurements: Identifying Issues, Trends, and Drivers

RAND - Thu, 01/04/2018 - 7:30am
Bid protests have been a feature of the U.S. defense acquisition environment for decades. In recent years, the bid protest process has come under increased scrutiny. In response, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 called for a "comprehensive study on the prevalence and impact of bid protests on DoD acquisitions," including the systematic collection and analysis of the characteristics of bid protests and their outcomes.
Categories: Defense Policy

Air Force Non-Rated Technical Training: Opportunities for Improving Pipeline Processes

RAND - Mon, 12/18/2017 - 1:15am
In recent years the U.S. Air Force has faced persistent resource constraints while trying to deliver necessary training to its officer and enlisted forces. The Air Force therefore asked RAND Project AIR FORCE (PAF) to identify opportunities for optimizing processes at all levels of the nonrated technical training pipeline. This report presents PAF's assessment and recommends process and policy changes that could improve efficiency.
Categories: Defense Policy

Airpower in Counter-Terrorist Operations: Balancing Objectives and Risks

RAND - Wed, 12/06/2017 - 3:00am
Overview and analysis of harnessing airpower in counter-terrorist operations.
Categories: Defense Policy

Accelerating the Transition of Technologies Created through the U.S. Department of Defense Small Business Innovation Research Program

RAND - Thu, 11/16/2017 - 6:30am
This dissertation gains to understand the contextual effects on the success of the transition of technologies generated through the U.S. Department of Defense Small Business Innovation Research program.
Categories: Defense Policy

Air Force Installation Energy Assurance: An Assessment Framework

RAND - Mon, 11/06/2017 - 4:30am
Air Force mission success is increasingly dependent on assured access to electricity. A number of factors can interrupt supply of electric power, including natural disasters, accidents, and deliberate interference. The authors present a framework to assess energy assurance at Air Force installations.
Categories: Defense Policy

Air Force Officer Management Flexibilities: Modeling Potential Policies

RAND - Wed, 10/11/2017 - 1:00am
This report assesses the effect that proposed military human resource management flexibilities could have on Air Force officer accessions, promotions, separations, and other force management outcomes. The assessments identified flexibilities that would benefit the Air Force and characterized subsets of the military workforce to which they could be advantageously applied.
Categories: Defense Policy

Assessing Russian Reactions to U.S. and NATO Posture Enhancements

RAND - Tue, 10/10/2017 - 12:45am
Heightened tensions between Russia and NATO since 2014 have prompted the Alliance to take a fresh look at NATO's ability to deter potential Russian aggression. In this report, RAND researchers develop a framework that analysts can use to assess likely Russian reactions to ongoing and proposed NATO posture enhancements in Europe, which can help policymakers determine the utility and advisability of different options.
Categories: Defense Policy

Air Force Senior Leader Representation in the Joint Community

RAND - Tue, 10/03/2017 - 3:30am
Airmen are underrepresented in senior joint positions critical to shaping U.S. national security strategy and warfighting capability. Increasing competitiveness for senior joint positions may entail risks and will require cultural transformation.
Categories: Defense Policy

PacNet #44 - Comparative Connections Summaries

CSIS - Thu, 05/12/2016 - 9:00pm

Regional Overview: Déjà Vu All Over Again … Only Worse!

by Ralph A. Cossa and Brad Glosserman

read more

Categories: Defense Policy
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