Backgrounders
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Public Health Threats and Pandemics
The U.S. Opioid Epidemic
Opioid addiction in the United States has become a prolonged epidemic, threatening not only public health but economic output and national security.Opioid addiction in the United States has become a prolonged epidemic, threatening not only public health but economic output and national security. -
What Does the CDC Do?
The federal agency has a broad mandate to protect Americans’ health and an expansive global reach. But the COVID-19 pandemic has sparked debate about the future of the CDC.The federal agency has a broad mandate to protect Americans’ health and an expansive global reach. But the COVID-19 pandemic has sparked debate about the future of the CDC. -
The U.S. Inequality Debate
Public policy experts call income and wealth inequality one of the defining challenges of our time. Recent crises have accelerated these divisions, and the coronavirus pandemic looks set to deepen them further.Public policy experts call income and wealth inequality one of the defining challenges of our time. Recent crises have accelerated these divisions, and the coronavirus pandemic looks set to deepen them further. -
Demographics of the U.S. Military
Deployed around the world, the armed forces are a pillar of U.S. power and influence abroad. But many civilians are unfamiliar with their composition. How much does the military resemble U.S. society?Deployed around the world, the armed forces are a pillar of U.S. power and influence abroad. But many civilians are unfamiliar with their composition. How much does the military resemble U.S. society?
In Briefs
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The Economic Effects of Working From Home
The coronavirus pandemic has forced many companies to switch to remote work, some permanently. What does this mean for the economy?The coronavirus pandemic has forced many companies to switch to remote work, some permanently. What does this mean for the economy? -
Did Iran Suffer a Nuclear Setback?
An explosion has caused heavy damage to an Iranian nuclear facility just as the country approaches a bold new energy partnership with China, but Iran shows no signs of slowing down its nuclear program.An explosion has caused heavy damage to an Iranian nuclear facility just as the country approaches a bold new energy partnership with China, but Iran shows no signs of slowing down its nuclear program. -
Will Russia’s Constitutional Changes Allow Putin to Hold on to Power?
Russians have voted on a sweeping package of more than two hundred constitutional amendments, the most important of which exempts President Vladimir Putin from term limits and potentially allows him to rule until 2036. What does this change mean for the country’s future?Russians have voted on a sweeping package of more than two hundred constitutional amendments, the most important of which exempts President Vladimir Putin from term limits and potentially allows him to rule until 2036. What does this change mean for the country’s future? -
Can Syria’s Assad Regime Survive a New Wave of Threats?
New U.S. sanctions under the Caesar Act could compound the economic turmoil threatening to undo the Assad regime.New U.S. sanctions under the Caesar Act could compound the economic turmoil threatening to undo the Assad regime.
Podcasts
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U.S. Congress Returns to Session, Schools Grapple With Reopening, and More
The U.S. Congress returns to session; schools and universities struggle with reopening amid a surge in COVID-19 cases; and, China, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States prepare for spacecraft launches to Mars.The U.S. Congress returns to session; schools and universities struggle with reopening amid a surge in COVID-19 cases; and, China, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States prepare for spacecraft launches to Mars. -
Hey, Remember the Olympics?
Hosting the Olympics is a monumental undertaking that often leaves behind rusted stadiums and financial losses. So why do nations compete to do it? This episode examines the political history of the games, and the soft power that countries hope to gain by hosting them.Hosting the Olympics is a monumental undertaking that often leaves behind rusted stadiums and financial losses. So why do nations compete to do it? This episode examines the political history of the games, and the soft power that countries hope to gain by hosting them. -
Hong Kong Under China’s National Security Law, With Victoria Tin-bor Hui
Victoria Tin-bor Hui, associate professor of political science at the University of Notre Dame, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the new national security law China has imposed on Hong Kong.Victoria Tin-bor Hui, associate professor of political science at the University of Notre Dame, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the new national security law China has imposed on Hong Kong.
Special Projects
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Constitutional Change in Japan
Japan's constitutional debate is about not simply the document's past but also the nation's ability to respond to twenty-first-century challenges.Japan's constitutional debate is about not simply the document's past but also the nation's ability to respond to twenty-first-century challenges. -
Women's Workplace Equality Index
Most countries still have laws that make it harder for women to work than men. This inequality shortchanges not only women but also entire economies.Most countries still have laws that make it harder for women to work than men. This inequality shortchanges not only women but also entire economies. -
China’s Approach to Global Governance
Learn about China's evolving approach to global governance and how it has shifted strategy under President Xi Jinping related to trade, the belt and road initiative, and the coronavirus pandemic.Learn about China's evolving approach to global governance and how it has shifted strategy under President Xi Jinping related to trade, the belt and road initiative, and the coronavirus pandemic. -
Candidate Tracker
CFR is following the presidential candidates on the major foreign policy issues. Dive deeper below.CFR is following the presidential candidates on the major foreign policy issues. Dive deeper below.
Videos
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How to Vote During a Pandemic
As countries consider how and when to vote in the coming months, here's what experts recommend for holding safe and secure elections during the coronavirus pandemic.As countries consider how and when to vote in the coming months, here's what experts recommend for holding safe and secure elections during the coronavirus pandemic. -
The True Cost of Cheap Clothes
Fast fashion has become a multibillion-dollar industry in recent decades, reshaping the world’s shopping habits. But the industry’s low prices disguise a staggering environmental cost.Fast fashion has become a multibillion-dollar industry in recent decades, reshaping the world’s shopping habits. But the industry’s low prices disguise a staggering environmental cost. -
Behind China's Influence in Africa
From trade to film, China's influence in Africa is nearly everywhere. Why—and at what cost?From trade to film, China's influence in Africa is nearly everywhere. Why—and at what cost? -
Coronavirus: Which Countries Are Doing Well? Which Are Falling Short?
In 2019, researchers assessed how prepared 195 countries were for a health crisis. But how have countries measured up against the real-life pandemic? Here’s how their scores last year compare to their responses today.In 2019, researchers assessed how prepared 195 countries were for a health crisis. But how have countries measured up against the real-life pandemic? Here’s how their scores last year compare to their responses today.
InfoGuides