On the Record
On the Record
Council on Foreign Relations
A curated selection of thought-provoking events from the Council on Foreign Relations, featuring expert panels, keynote conversations, and global policy discussions.
On AI, Quantum, and the Future of American Science
In this episode, Under Secretary Gil discusses the Genesis Mission, and what the federal government’s bet on AI and quantum computing for scientific discovery means for American competitiveness and global collaboration.   Host: Nicholas F. Beim, Partner, Venrock; Member, Board of Directors, Council on Foreign Relations   Guests: Darío Gil, Under Secretary for Science, U.S. Department of Energy   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: AI, Quantum, and the Future of American Science: A Conversation With Darío Gil
Jun 19
1 hr 1 min
On U.S. Democracy, Belonging, and Power
In this episode, panelists discuss what American democracy has and hasn't delivered on equality, access, and opportunity, and whether that internal reckoning is now inseparable from the country's standing and credibility as a world leader.   Host: 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    Guests: Jamelle Bouie, Opinion Columnist, New York Times    Jane Kamensky, President and Chief Executive Officer, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello; Jonathan Trumbull Professor of American History Emerita, Harvard University    Elizabeth Rule, Assistant Professor of Critical Race, Gender, and Culture Studies, American University; Author, Indigenous DC: Native Peoples and the Nation's Capital   Introductory Remarks: Michael Froman, President, Council on Foreign Relations; CFR Member    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: America at 250: Democracy, Belonging, and Power
Jun 12
56 min
On the Iran War’s Global Economic Effects
On this episode, panelists provide an update on the geoeconomic consequences of the Iran war and the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, including disruptions to oil, gas, and other commodity markets, and the longer-term implications for the petrodollar system and the energy transition.   Host: Edward Fishman, Senior Fellow and Director of the Maurice R. Greenberg Center for Geoeconomics, Council on Foreign Relations   Speakers: Daniel H. Yergin, Vice Chairman, S&P Global; CFR Member   Helima Croft, Managing Director and Global Head of Commodity Strategy, RBC Capital Markets; CFR Member   Mallika Sachdeva, Managing Director, Head of FX Thematics, Deutsche Bank Research   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: How the Iran War is Remaking the Global Economy
Jun 5
58 min
On U.S. Trade Policy with Jamieson Greer
In this episode, U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer discusses recent developments in the administration’s global economic trade strategy.   Host: Michael Froman, President, Council on Foreign Relations, Former U.S. Trade Representative (2013-17)   Guest: Jamieson Greer, Ambassador, U.S. Trade Representative    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 Jamieson Greer
May 29
1 hr 16 min
On the Future of American Power
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 perspectives across ideological lines to develop new thinking on U.S. foreign policy.   In this episode, members of the Senate Armed Services Committee discuss the defense priorities, investments, and strategic choices that will define American power in the decade ahead.   Host: Dasha Burns, White House Bureau Chief and Host, The Conversation, Politico; Host, Ceasefire, C-SPAN   Guests: Elissa Slotkin, U.S. Senator from Michigan (D); Member, Senate Armed Services Committee; Member, Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee   Tim Sheehy, U.S. Senator from Montana (R), Member, Senate Armed Services Committee   Introductory Remarks: Michael Froman, President, Council on Foreign Relations; CFR Member   Rebecca Lissner, Senior Fellow for U.S. Foreign Policy and Director of the Future of American Strategy Initiative, Council on Foreign Relations   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: Europe’s Response to the Iran War
May 22
1 hr 14 min
On the Iran War’s Economic Impact in Asia
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   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 Masato Kanda of the Asian Development Bank
May 15
44 min
On Europe’s Response to the Iran War
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, International and Defense Practices, BGR Group; Former U.S. Ambassador to NATO (2013-17); CFR Member   Ellie Geranmayeh, Deputy Director, Middle East and North Africa Programme and Senior Policy Fellow, European Council on Foreign Relations   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: Europe’s Response to the Iran War
May 8
1 hr
On U.S. Policy Options in War with Iran
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 Mike Pompeo (2018– 2020)   Michele Flournoy, Cofounder and Managing Partner, WestExec Advisors; Former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy (2009– 2011); Member, Board of Directors, CFR   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: U.S. Policy Options in the War with Iran
May 1
58 min
Rafael M. Grossi on Nuclear Challenges and the Future of the United Nations
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. Grossi, Director General, International Atomic Energy Agency; Nominee, Position of UN Secretary-General   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: 2026 UN Secretary-General Candidates Series: A Conversation With Rafael M. Grossi
Apr 24
1 hr 2 min
On Rethinking Humanitarian Partnerships in an Age of Crisis
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, Germany   Hanin Sayyed, Minister of Social Affairs of Lebanon   David Miliband, President and Chief Executive Officer, International Rescue Committee; Former Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, United Kingdom   Dr. Rajiv J. Shah, President, The Rockefeller Foundation; Former Administrator, U.S. Agency for International Development; CFR Member    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: Delivering at the Frontline: Scaling Support for Fragile and Conflict-Affected States
Apr 17
1 hr 1 min
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