On the Record

In this engaging discussion, James M. Lindsay, a leader in U.S. Foreign Policy research, and Mary L. Dudziak, a legal expert on civil rights, delve into the best and worst U.S. foreign policy decisions. They analyze why the Marshall Plan is hailed as a top decision while the 2003 Iraq invasion is criticized as a major blunder. Christopher M. Nichols adds historical insights, revealing surprises from a recent survey of historians. The panel also discusses the implications of civil rights on foreign relations and the influence of misleading intelligence on poor decisions.

Vali R. Nasr, an expert on Iranian politics, Ray Takeyh from the Council on Foreign Relations, and Sanam Vakil from Chatham House discuss Iran's widespread protests. They delve into the regime's brutal crackdowns and internet blackouts affecting communication. Insights into the historical context of protests reveal a cycle of dissent that complicates U.S. policy. The panel also tackles the implications of potential military interventions and the intricate web of regional dynamics. With voices starting to rise against oppressive governance, questions about future leadership and national unity loom large.

Immigrants significantly benefit the U.S. economy by growing the labor force, filling essential jobs in sectors like services, construction, and tech. In this episode, panelists discuss the effects of recent refugee and immigration policy developments on the U.S. economy.   Background Reading: This article outlines the critical role immigrants have long played in boosting the U.S. economy and GDP. This article highlights how the second Trump administration has ramped up immigration enforcement, putting pressure on federal, state, and local agencies to meet the president’s deportation goals.   Host: Nelson W. Cunningham, Former President, McLarty Associates; Former Senior Advisor for Economic Affairs, U.S. Department of State; Former Special Advisor on Western Hemisphere Affairs; CFR Member   Guests: Steven A. Camarota, Director of Research, Center for Immigration Studies   Andrea R. Flores, Founder, America’s Promise   Pia Orrenius, Vice President and Senior Economist, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas   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: Immigration Policy and the U.S. Economy

In this episode, David Miliband, president and chief executive officer of the International Rescue Committee, discusses the new IRC Emergency Watchlist report. The report highlights the countries at highest risk of humanitarian crisis in 2026, and evaluates the international community’s progress and shortcomings.   Background Reading: This article discusses Venezuela’s dire humanitarian landscape, as the White House reviews potential military operations in the region. This article examines Sudan’s humanitarian crisis, and a stubborn lack of international attention to its plight. Host: Andrea Mitchell, Chief Washington Correspondent and Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent, NBC News   Guest: David Miliband, President and Chief Executive Officer, International Rescue Committee; Former Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, United Kingdom   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: Forecasting Humanitarian Risk in 2026: A Conversation with David Miliband.   

In this episode, panelists discuss examples of U.S. presidents leveraging executive power to confront political violence, human rights abuses, and other global challenges, highlighting the ways in which presidential leadership has shaped the United States’ legacy of responsibility.   Host: Jacob M. Weisberg, Executive Chair, Pushkin Industries; Chair, Committee to Protect Journalists   Guests: 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   David J. Scheffer, Senior Fellow, CFR   Ruti G. Teitel, Ernst C. Stiefel Professor of Comparative Law and Codirector, Center for International Law, New York Law School   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 it on our YouTube channel: Reckoning with History: Presidential Leadership and Moral Responsibility.

In this episode, former U.S. President Bill Clinton looks back on critical issues in U.S. foreign policy during his presidency, and shares lessons for sustaining American diplomatic engagement abroad.   His remarks were delivered as part of the inaugural Martin S. Indyk Memorial Lecture, held in collaboration with the Clinton Global Initiative.   Host: Richard Haass, President Emeritus, Council on Foreign Relations; Senior Counselor, Centerview Partners   Guest: Bill Clinton, Founder and Board Chair, Clinton Foundation; 42nd President of the United States   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 Bill Clinton.

In this episode, Director of the National Institutes of Health Jay Bhattacharya discusses the latest developments in biomedical innovation and how they will shape the future of public health research.   Background Reading: This CFR event discusses emerging threats to public health and how journalists are covering new outbreaks across the United States.   Host: Sylvia Mathews Burwell, Senior Professorial Lecturer and President Emerita, American University; Former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services   Guests: Jay Bhattacharya, Director, National Institutes of Health   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 it on our YouTube channel: A Conversation With Jay Bhattacharya of the National Institutes of Health.

Join experts Laura DeNardis, a Georgetown professor specializing in technology ethics, Vinh Nguyen, a former NSA AI chief focusing on security, and Miriam Vogel, CEO of EqualAI and author, as they explore the intricate world of AI governance. They dive into the geopolitical challenges of AI, the pressing need for operational responsibility, and the delicate balance between innovation and accountability. From state-linked cyber threats to corporate responsibility, this discussion reveals what it takes to safely navigate the future of artificial intelligence.

Since President Trump first introduced a proposal to end the war in Ukraine, revisions from both sides have led to disagreement, diminishing hopes for a lasting peace. Experts are now examining the recent meeting between Ukrainian and U.S. officials in Miami, where efforts were made to finalize a peace plan for presentation to Moscow, as well as the types of security guarantees Ukraine may seek going forward.    Background Reading: This article details Trump’s proposed peace plan and the pitfalls of Washington’s attempt to advance ceasefire discussions between Russia and Ukraine.   Host: Paul B. Stares, General John W. Vessey Senior Fellow for Conflict Prevention and Director of the Center for Preventive Action, CFR   Guests: Liana Fix, Senior Fellow for Europe, CFR   Thomas Graham, Distinguished Fellow, CFR   Steven Sestanovich, George F. Kennan Senior Fellow for Russian and Eurasian Studies, CFR   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: The State of Play in Ukraine.  

Intelligence experts discuss the new frontiers of intelligence gathering, examining how emerging technologies are transforming espionage and reshaping the future of U.S. national security.   Background Reading: This article outlines how growing politicization within the intelligence community threatens the integrity of intelligence assessments and endangers U.S. national security.   Host: Barton Gellman, Senior Advisor to the President, Brennan Center for Justice, NYU Law School   Guests: Robert Cardillo, Former Director, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency   Anthony Vinci, Author, The Fourth Intelligence Revolution: The Future of Espionage and the Battle to Save America; Former Chief Technology Officer, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency   Rebecca U. Weiner, Deputy Commissioner, Intelligence and Counterterrorism, New York City Police Department; CFR Member   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=iu62quTXCF0