CFR On the Record

Follow CFR On the Record
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

A chance to go inside Council on Foreign Relations events. Listen to world leaders and foreign policy experts discuss and debate the most pressing issues in international affairs.

Council on Foreign Relations


    • Apr 30, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 748 EPISODES


    More podcasts from Council on Foreign Relations

    Search for episodes from CFR On the Record with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from CFR On the Record

    Religion and Foreign Policy Webinar: Indigenous Faith and Climate Policy

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2025


    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.

    CEO Speaker Series With Dario Amodei of Anthropic

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2025


    Anthropic Chief Executive Officer and Cofounder Dario Amodei discusses the future of U.S. AI leadership, the role of innovation in an era of strategic competition, and the outlook for frontier model development. The CEO Speaker series is a unique forum for leading global CEOs to share their insights on issues at the center of commerce and foreign policy, and to discuss the changing role of business globally. 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.

    Transition 2025 Series: The Future of U.S. Climate and Energy Policy

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2025


    Panelists discuss the future of climate and energy policy under the new Trump administration, examining lessons from President Trump's previous term, anticipated shifts from the policies of the Biden administration, and the trajectory of U.S. energy industries, including oil, solar, and wind, and natural gas. This meeting is part of CFR's Transition 2025 series, which examines the major foreign policy issues confronting the Trump administration. 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.

    Term Member Meeting: Germany's Next Chapter—Post-Election Analysis and Global Impacts

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2025


    Panelists discuss the February German election results and their implications for Germany's domestic policies, NATO commitments, and the broader European landscape, with insights into how Germany's new leadership could reshape alliances and influence the continent's future. CFR's Stephen M. Kellen Term Member Program is pleased to be hosting this event with the American Council on Germany's Young Leaders Program. **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.  

    CEO Speaker Series With Patrick Pouyanné of TotalEnergies

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2025


    TotalEnergies Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Patrick Pouyanné discusses evolving trends in the global energy market in a changing geopolitical environment, the potential for increased transatlantic energy cooperation, the role of gas and renewable energies in the transition, and TotalEnergies' multi-energy strategy. The CEO Speaker series is a unique forum for leading global CEOs to share their insights on issues at the center of commerce and foreign policy, and to discuss the changing role of business globally. 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.

    The Future of Transatlantic Relations

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2025


    Panelists discuss transatlantic ties under a second Trump administration, NATO burden-sharing, and the future of European strategic autonomy.  This meeting is part of CFR's Transition 2025 series, which examines the major foreign policy issues confronting the Trump administration.

    Media Briefing: Bracing for a Trade War

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2025


    CFR experts provide insights and context around President Donald Trump's announced tariffs and what they mean for North American trade, U.S. alliances, and global competition.

    Virtual Media Briefing: The Israel-Hamas Cease-Fire and Hostage Deal

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2025


    Young Professionals Briefing: Securing the Future—Navigating Careers in Defense and National Security

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2025


    Panelists discuss careers in defense and security within the U.S. government and the many forms they can take. 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 for CFR term membership. We are pleased to extend this invitation to you through the recommendation of a CFR member. If you no longer wish to receive these invitations, please let us know by replying to this email.

    Distinguished Voices Series With H.R. McMaster

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2025


    Lt. General (ret.) H.R. McMaster discusses his new book, At War with Ourselves: My Tour of Duty in the Trump White House, and the geopolitical dynamics that the second Trump Administration will confront. The Distinguished Voices Series focuses particular attention on the contributions made by a prominent individual at a critical juncture in the history of the country or the world.  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.

    The China-Russia Relationship and Its Global Implications

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2025


    The relationship between Russia and the People's Republic of China continues to dominate headlines, news stories, and conversations in the American foreign policy community. Analysts continue to discuss the quality and depth of the relationship, how it's perceived around the world, and what, if anything, the United States can do about it. The CFR China Strategy Initiative is pleased to invite members to the inaugural meeting of its China 360 program: a two-part event on China-Russia Relations. Robert D. Blackwill and Richard Fontaine, in a keynote session, discuss their new Council Special Report, No Limits? The China-Russia Relationship and U.S. Foreign Policy. Following their insights, CFR experts discuss the view and implications of Beijing and Moscow's relationship for the rest of the world.

    In-Person DC Roundtable: A Conversation With Dafna Rand, Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2024


    New Frontiers of Local News

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2024


    Religion and Foreign Policy Webinar: The Pope and International Relations

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2024


    Peter Casarella, professor of theology at Duke Divinity School, and Cecilia González-Andrieu, professor of theological studies at Loyola Marymount University, discuss the geopolitical and cultural influence of the pope, the challenges and opportunities the Catholic Church faces in addressing international issues, and the global religious leadership of Pope Francis.

    In-Person DC Roundtable: Building Trust: Dr. Atul Gawande on the Future of Artificial Intelligence and Global Health

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2024


    Dr. Atul Gawande, assistant administrator for Global Health USAID, discusses the future of global health with Thomas Bollyky, inaugural Bloomberg Chair in Global Health at the Council on Foreign Relations. In particular, Dr. Gawande examines the role of artificial intelligence, the importance of building government trust, and USAID's key accomplishments since the COVID-19 pandemic.

    A Conversation With Former Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba of Ukraine

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 10, 2024


    Dmytro Kuleba discusses Ukraine's strategic position in the war with Russia, and evaluates how the incoming Donald Trump administration might influence Ukraine's international relations and policies. This meeting is part of the Council Special Initiative on Securing Ukraine's Future and is part of the Wachenheim Program on Peace and Security. The program is made possible by the generous support of the Sue and Edgar Wachenheim Foundation. 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.

    Media Briefing: What's Next for Syria After Assad

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 10, 2024


    CFR experts discuss the latest news out of Syria, including what the fall of Bashar al-Assad means for the future of the country and the wider region.

    Virtual Roundtable: A China Policy for the American People

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2024


    Young Professionals Briefing With CFR Military Fellows

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2024


    CFR Military Fellows discuss ways their respective branches are meeting the challenges of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, climate change, and an evolving global threat landscape. 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 for CFR term membership. We are pleased to extend this invitation to you through the recommendation of a CFR member. If you no longer wish to receive these invitations, please let us know by replying to this email. 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 the transcript of this hybrid meeting will be posted on the CFR website. 

    Religion and Foreign Policy Webinar: Jewish-American Perspectives on U.S. Foreign Policy

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2024


    Elliott Abrams, CFR senior fellow for Middle Eastern studies, and Elliot Cosgrove, rabbi of Park Avenue Synagogue, discuss the evolving role of the Jewish diaspora in shaping U.S. policy towards the Middle East, the challenges of fostering unity within the Jewish community, and the broader implications for international relations. Asher Lopatin, rabbi of Kehillat Etz Chayim,  moderates the discussion.

    Virtual Roundtable: The Impact of the U.S. Presidential Election on Global Women's Leadership

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2024


    Demystifying Artificial Intelligence

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2024


    CFR's Technologist-in-Residence Sebastian Elbaum discusses the capabilities, failures, and future of artificial intelligence and its intersections with policy.  

    Designing a Broader National Security Approach: A Conversation With the Commission on the National Defense Strategy

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2024


    Panelists discuss the findings of the Commission on the National Defense Strategy Report, including the evolving security threats from China and its aligned partners: Russia, Iran, and North Korea. The Commission explores the need for the United States to strengthen its deterrence and response strategies by using all elements of national power, including diplomacy, investment, and commercial strategies, along with the critical role U.S. alliances play in shaping global competition. The U.S. Congress created the Commission on the National Defense Strategy in the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act as an independent body charged with assessing the 2022 National Defense Strategy. Its members are non-governmental experts in national security. The Commission released its final report on July 29, 2024. RAND contributed analytic and administrative support.

    Securing the Future: Navigating the Nexus of Climate and Defense

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2024


    Panelists discuss the intersection of climate change and national security, the emerging challenges for defense, and how the U.S. military is adapting to address these evolving threats.  

    Religion and Foreign Policy Webinar: Religion in the 2024 U.S. Election

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2024


    Adelle M. Banks, projects editor and national reporter for Religion News Service, and Adam Nicholas Phillips, chief strategy officer and chief of staff at Interfaith America, discuss the evolving role of religious constituencies in U.S. politics, as well as the intersection of religion with key political and social issues in the lead up to the 2024 election.  

    CFR-Brookings Institution Election 2024 Virtual Public Event: The Future of the Middle East

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2024


    The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) and the Brookings Institution Foreign Policy Program are collaborating to convene an expert discussion to examine the future of the Middle East. As part of a series of virtual events convened by CFR and Brookings in the lead-up to Election Day, the conversation will examine the escalating conflicts in the Middle East and the policy options and priorities for an incoming U.S. administration in the region.  The series is a part of Election 2024, a CFR initiative focused on exploring the United States' role in the world, how international affairs issues affect voters, and the foreign policy issues at stake in November, and Election '24: Issues at Stake, a Brookings initiative aimed to bring public attention to consequential policy issues confronting voters and policymakers in the run up to the 2024 election. Both projects are made possible in part by grants from Carnegie Corporation of New York.

    Russian Aggression Beyond Ukraine

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2024


    Panelists discuss Russia's broader strategy beyond Ukraine, including efforts to expand the conflict through cyberattacks and arson across Europe, as well as possible election interference in the United States.  

    CFR-Brookings Institution Election 2024 Virtual Public Event: Technology and Electoral Dynamics

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2024


    The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) and the Brookings Institution Foreign Policy Program collaborated to convene an expert discussion that examined the role of technology and electoral dynamics in the 2024 election. As part of a series of virtual events convened by CFR and Brookings in the lead-up to Election Day, the conversation examined how the perception of technology is influencing electoral credibility; cybersecurity and election integrity; and what is at stake for safeguarding our democratic processes in an era of disinformation. The series is a part of Election 2024, a CFR initiative focused on exploring the United States' role in the world, how international affairs issues affect voters, and the foreign policy issues at stake in November, and Election '24: Issues at Stake, a Brookings initiative aimed to bring public attention to consequential policy issues confronting voters and policymakers in the run up to the 2024 election. Both projects are made possible in part by grants from Carnegie Corporation of New York.

    One Year Later: U.S. Policy Options in the Israel-Hamas War

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2024


    As the one-year anniversary of the October 7 attacks approaches, panelists discuss U.S. policy options regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict, including the administration's proposed peace deal and the ramifications of the upcoming U.S. presidential election.

    The Millennium Challenge Corporation at 20: Progress and Prospects

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2024


    Panelists reflect on the past, present, and future of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) having reached its twentieth anniversary of operation, as well as the future of economic diplomacy and the challenging landscape of global poverty. This meeting series is presented by RealEcon: Reimagining American Economic Leadership, a CFR initiative of the Maurice R. Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies. 

    Religion and Foreign Policy Webinar: Muslim-American Perspectives on U.S. Foreign Policy

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2024


    Salam al-Marayati, president and cofounder of the Muslim Public Affairs Council, and Nazita Lajevardi, associate professor of political science at Michigan State University, discuss the domestic and international policies that affect and matter to American Muslim communities, as well as the diversity, trends, and priorities of the bloc.

    John B. Hurford Memorial Lecture With Timothy Snyder

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2024


    Historian Timothy Snyder explores the concept of freedom, including what it is, how it has been misunderstood, and why it is worth fighting for both in the United States and globally. The John B. Hurford Memorial Lecture was inaugurated in 2002 in memory of CFR member John B. Hurford, and features individuals who represent critical new thinking in international affairs and foreign policy. This meeting is also part of the Diamonstein-Spielvogel Meeting Series on Democracy.

    Reporter's Notebook—Covering a Dangerous World

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2024


    Journalists with on-the-ground experience reporting from dangerous areas of the world discuss the lessons they have learned, the risks they face, and the importance of sharing these stories.

    Reporting on Statehouse Politics and Elected Officials

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2024


    Diana Fuentes, executive director of Investigative Reporters and Editors, discusses accountability journalism and reporting on state politics. The host of the webinar is Carla Anne Robbins, senior fellow at CFR and former deputy editorial page editor at the New York Times. 

    U.S.-China Economic Relations With Jay Shambaugh

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2024


    Jay Shambaugh discusses U.S.-China macroeconomic engagement and dialogue with Chinese leadership on overcapacity and economic imbalances. 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 and U.S. monetary policy. This meeting series is presented by RealEcon: Reimagining American Economic Leadership, a CFR initiative of the Maurice R. Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies. This meeting is also part of CFR's China Strategy Initiative.

    Media Briefing: Update on the UK and France Elections and NATO Summit

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2024


    CFR experts discuss the results of presidential elections in France and the United Kingdom, as well as what to expect from the 2024 NATO Summit in Washington, DC.

    A Conversation With Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen of Denmark

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2024


    Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen of Denmark discusses transatlantic cooperation, Russia's war in Ukraine, and her priorities for the NATO Summit in Washington.  

    Darryl G. Behrman Lecture: Screening and Discussion of “Bobi Wine: The People's President”

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 28, 2024


    The Oscar and BAFTA-nominated Bobi Wine: The People's President, is set during Uganda's 2021 presidential election, where music star, activist, and opposition leader Bobi Wine, together with his wife Barbie, rallies supporters in a dangerous fight for freedom from President Museveni's 35-year regime. Join us for a special screening of the documentary, followed by a discussion examining the outlook for democracy in Uganda and the region.   The Darryl G. Behrman Lecture on Africa Policy is held in memory of Darryl G. Behrman, who was originally from South Africa and had an abiding passion for Africa and international peace. The annual lecture is funded by members of the Behrman family. 

    A Strategy for U.S. Competitiveness in Innovation

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2024


    Innovation power is playing a critical role in today's world order, affecting global economies, militaries, and societies. Panelists discuss the strategy needed for the United States to compete in this space to ensure its national security, economic prosperity, and global influence.  

    In-Person DC Roundtable: National Security and the U.S. Pharma and Biotech Industries

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2024


    The COVID-19 pandemic and chronic U.S. drug shortages highlight the health security and strategic importance of U.S. pharmaceutical and biotechnology capabilities during and between pathogenic crises. Geopolitical competition and interest in industrial policy for biotechnology further underscore the national security role of domestic biopharmaceutical infrastructure. Policymakers confront competing health, economic, and strategic priorities in maximizing innovation in technology, business models, and health-care systems in facilitating safe, accessible, secure, and sustainable products, services, and supply chains.   Please join our speakers, Monique K. Mansoura, executive director for global health security and biotechnology at The MITRE Corporation, and Victor Suarez, Colonel (ret.), U.S. Army, senior fellow (visiting) at The Council on Strategic Risks and founder of BluZoneBio, to explore challenges facing the U.S. pharma and biotech industries and approaches to strengthening the national security resilience of those industries in a world marked by health and geopolitical threats.

    Paul C. Warnke Lecture on International Security: Turning Point—The Bomb and The Cold War

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2024


    The Netflix series Turning Point: The Bomb and the Cold War is an exploration of the decades-long conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union framed by current events that reveal the Cold War continues and the world remains on the precipice of nuclear war. Join us for a special screening of episode nine of the series, followed by a discussion on the ongoing danger posed by nuclear weapons amidst present-day conflicts and how recent advancements, including artificial intelligence, influence the risks related to nuclear warfare. The full series of Turning Point: The Bomb and the Cold War is out on Netflix now.  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.

    World Economic Update

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2024


    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.

    Hybrid DC Roundtable: Transnational Repression of Journalists by Iran

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2024


    Claim CFR On the Record

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel