Why It Matters

This episode explores how drones, cell phones, and other widely-available intelligence tools are turning civilians and aid workers into frontline witnesses—documenting war in real time, guiding humanitarian aid, and helping build evidence that could power future war crimes cases.    Host:    Gabrielle Sierra, Director of Podcasting, Council on Foreign Relations (CFR)   Guest:   Anthony Vinci, Cofounder and CEO, Vico; Adjunct Senior Fellow, Technology and National Security Program, Center for a New American Security (CNAS)   Sam Vigersky, International Affairs Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations (CFR)   We discuss: How drones, satellites, smartphones, and other widely-available tools are changing who gets to document war. How civilians are no longer just witnesses to conflict but are also recording attacks in real time and helping gather intelligence As Anthony Vinci puts it: “We’re becoming civilian spies.” How ordinary people are building digital evidence libraries online that may later support investigations into war crimes and accountability efforts. How drones are blurring the line between surveillance, intelligence gathering, and direct attacks on the battlefield. Why more access to information does not always lead to justice, especially when politics and institutions fail to act. How journalists, aid workers, and civilians face greater danger when documenting violence and sharing what they see. Why the growing flood of footage, data, and digital records is changing how audiences process war emotionally.   Read more:   Anthony Vinci, The Fourth Intelligence Revolution   Sam Vigersky, “Beyond Conventional Aid: Institutionalizing Public-Private Partnership in Ukraine’s Humanitarian Response,” CFR.org   “Counting the Dead,” Human Rights Watch   “Listen, Run, Hide: How Russia Uses Quadcopter Drones to Hunt and Kill Civilians in Kherson, Ukraine,” Human Rights Watch   “<a href='http

This episode traces one young woman's journey home to a new kind of war—and Ukraine’s fight for survival.   Host:   Gabrielle Sierra, Director of Podcasting, Council on Foreign Relations (CFR)   Guest:   Catarina Buchatskiy, Co-Founder & Director of Analytics, Snake Island Institute   We discuss: The story of a young Ukrainian woman who left college in the U.S. to join the fight at home within days of the invasion. How Ukraine transformed its drone manufacturing from garage shops to a sophisticated, rapidly scaling defense industry. Ukraine’s surprising dependence on China in its drone supply chain, and its push to make ‘China-free’ drones by 2026. Stories of Ukrainian resilience and resolve. How the Snake Island Institute bridges the gap between the battlefield and Western policymaking by connecting Ukrainian military insights to the allies who are shaping defense strategy. As Buchatskiy puts it: “The overarching definition of victory is that the Ukrainian nation is whole, that the state is legitimate, that we have control over the state, that we have our democracy, and that we’re at peace and can live freely.”   Want to keep up with Why It Matters? Sign up to receive an email alert when new episodes drop.   Why It Matters is a production of the Council on Foreign Relations. The opinions expressed on the show are solely those of the host and guests, not of the Council, which takes no institutional positions on matters of policy.

This episode outlines the global network sustaining both sides of the war in Ukraine, with NATO allies on one side and Russia with backing from China, Iran, and North Korea on the other, and how the limits and tensions within these alliances are shaping the war’s next phase and raising broader global security risks.   Host:   Gabrielle Sierra, Director of Podcasting, Council on Foreign Relations (CFR)   Guests:   Liana Fix, Senior Fellow for Europe, Council on Foreign Relations (CFR)    Joseph Torigian, Senior Fellow for Asia Studies, Council on Foreign Relations (CFR)   We discuss: How the war in Ukraine has become a global conflict fueled by competing networks of allies and partners on both sides. Why Ukraine’s survival depends on sustained military, financial, and intelligence support from the United States and NATO. How Russia has built its own wartime coalition, relying on Iran for drones, North Korea for munitions, and China for economic backing. Why the Russian alliance with China is driven more by shared opposition to Western power than true strategic alignment. How cracks are emerging within both coalitions, from political fatigue in the West to quiet limits in China’s support for Russia. As Liana Fix puts it: “A more transactional idea of alliances is exactly where we are headed.” How sanctions, supply chains, and defense production have turned global economics into a second front in the war. How shifting alliances could expand the conflict’s risks beyond Ukraine and reshape global security dynamics. What this war reveals about the return of bloc politics in a new era of great power competition.   Read More:    Liana Fix, “Defending Europe if Russia Steps Out of the Gray Zone,” CFR.org    Liana Fix, Heidi E. Crebo-Rediker, Thomas Graham, Paul B. Stares, and Sam Vigersky, “Securing Ukraine’s Future: Adapting to New Realities After Four Years of War,” CFR.org    Joseph Torigian, “Xi Jinping’s Russian Lessons,” Foreign Affairs   Clara Fong and Lindsay Maizland, “<a href='https://www.cfr.org/backgrounders/china-

This episode explores how the emergence of drone warfare and innovation under fire is transforming power and forcing nations to rethink strategy and military capacity.   Host: Gabrielle Sierra, Director of Podcasting, Council on Foreign Relations (CFR)   Guests: Michael C. Horowitz, Senior Fellow for Technology and Innovation, Council on Foreign Relations (CFR)   Erin D. Dumbacher, Stanton Nuclear Security Senior Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations (CFR)   We discuss: How Ukraine is redefining modern warfare with cheap, scalable drone technology that can take down multimillion-dollar weapons. As Michael Horowitz puts it: “We’ve entered the era of precise mass in war.” How Ukraine became a real-world testing ground for autonomous weapons and AI-driven combat systems. Why small countries can now challenge military superpowers using precision strike at scale. How 70% of battlefield casualties in Ukraine are now linked to drone warfare, not traditional weapons. How Silicon Valley quietly became a key player in the war, from Starlink to AI intelligence and communication tools. How Russia is adapting just as quickly, scaling drone production and learning in real time. What the U.S. risks if it fails to keep up with rapid battlefield innovation and production speed.   Read More:   Securing Ukraine’s Future, CFR   Michael C. Horowitz and Lauren Kahn, “Military AI Adoption Is Outpacing Global Cooperation,” CFR.org    Michael Horowitz, “What Drones Can—and Cannot—Do on the Battlefield,” Foreign Affairs Erin D. Dumbacher, “Nukes Without Limits? A New Era After the End of New START,” CFR.org   Want to keep up with Why It Matters? Sign up to receive an email alert when new episodes drop.   Why It Matters is a production of the Council on Foreign Relations. The opinions expressed on the show are solely those of the host and guests, not of the Council, which takes no institutional positions on matters of pol

As 2025 draws to a close, U.S. foreign policy stands at an inflection point. Under the second Trump administration, traditional alliances have been tested, a hard-edged national security strategy has been rolled out, and for the first time, CFR’s annual Preventive Priorities Survey has ranked a military conflict with Venezuela as a top threat facing the U.S. in 2026.    Whether these and other flashpoints erupt next year will hinge on how world leaders manage mounting pressures, both at home and abroad.   Read the full 2026 Preventive Priorities Survey.    Featured Guest: Paul B. Stares (General John W. Vessey Senior Fellow for Conflict Prevention and Director of the Center for Preventive Action)   Why It Matters is a production of the Council on Foreign Relations. The opinions expressed on the show are solely those of the guests, not of CFR, which takes no institutional positions on matters of policy.

The unprecedented trade policies since the beginning of this year, driven largely by the Donald Trump administration’s pro-tariff agenda, have propelled the United States into uncertain and rocky territory. When it comes to our trading partners, the potential damage to U.S. alliances has left economists and policymakers in Washington questioning what’s next. Where do experts foresee U.S. trade policy heading?   This season, Why It Matters is taking you through the ins and outs of trade. In this season finale, CFR’s Michael Froman and Shannon K. O’Neil tackle your biggest questions about what’s at stake and what’s next for U.S. trade policy.    Featured Guests:   Michael Froman (President of the Council on Foreign Relations)   Shannon K. O’Neil (Senior Vice President, Director of Studies, and Maurice R. Greenberg Chair, CFR) To hear more from Michael Froman, subscribe to his newsletter, The World This Week.   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/wim/where-does-trade-go-here

Is having a trade deficit necessarily a bad thing? Many experts argue that the U.S. trade deficit is largely good for our economy. It allows Americans to enjoy a wider variety of cheap goods, attracts foreign investment, and reflects the strength of the U.S. dollar. Others believe it’s a warning sign that we’re relying too much on imports, hurting American jobs, and racking up debt owed to other countries.   This season, Why It Matters is taking you through the ins and outs of trade. In this episode, we unpack the trade deficit. What is it and why has it become a primary focus of the second Trump administration?   Featured Guests:   Brad W. Setser (The Whitney Shepardson Senior Fellow specializing in global trade and capital flows, financial vulnerability analysis, and sovereign debt restructuring, CFR) Heather Hurlburt (Associate Fellow for the U.S. and the Americas Programme, Chatham House)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/wim/mind-trade-gap

Host Gabrielle Sierra and podcast guests Johanna Mendelson Forman and Matthew Costello discuss food diplomacy, share stories from White House state dinners, and unpack how food has helped to create lasting international partnerships.   This taping was originally recorded on April 17, 2025.   Featured Guests   Johanna Mendelson Forman (Distinguished Fellow at the Stimson Center, Adjunct Professor at American University’s School of International Service) Matthew Costello (Chief Education Officer and Director of the David M. Rubenstein National Center for White House History at the White House Historical Association)

What role does the president have when it comes to making trade deals? In this episode, we dig into the expansive powers of the U.S. president when it comes to trade. From unilateral authority to congressional oversight, we unpack who truly calls the shots when the U.S. negotiates trade agreements. This season, Why It Matters is taking you through the ins and outs of trade. In this episode, Why It Matters dissects the current state of U.S. trade agreements; what deals exist, which ones are under strain, and how President Donald Trump’s unconventional approach to trade negotiations is shifting the United States away from the norm.   Featured Guest:  Inu Manak (Fellow for trade policy at the Council on Foreign Relations)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/wim/trade-agreements-deal-or-no-deal

Tariffs have sparked intense debate in Washington, but their consequences land far from Capitol Hill. Tariffs can shape paychecks, shift prices for consumers, and affect markets. At best, tariffs offer short-term protection for certain industries. At worst, they can uproot the lives of American workers. In this episode, Why It Matters looks at what tariffs mean for a U.S. steel manufacturer and small business owner trying to stay afloat.   Featured Guests   Matthew P. Goodman, Distinguished Fellow and Director of the Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies, CFR   Jamie Sychak, President of United Auto Workers Local 3303 Debbie Hendrickx, Founder and CEO of Swell Gelato   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/wim/tariff-turmoil-part-2-steel-and-dog-gelato

Tariffs are often discussed in big, abstract terms—trade wars, economic strategy, global power struggles. But for ginseng farmers in Wisconsin, their effects are painfully personal. In this episode, Why It Matters dives into how tariffs work and how they’re hitting one of America's most niche yet lucrative exports: Wisconsin-grown ginseng.   Featured Guests   Matthew P. Goodman, Distinguished Fellow and Director of the Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies, CFR   Will Hsu, President of Hsu's Ginseng Enterprises Inc.   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/wim/tariff-turmoil-part-1-how-tariffs-are-affecting-farmers

When it comes to trade, there is no consensus in Washington. The issue has become deeply polarizing, with lawmakers split over whether free trade agreements benefit or harm the U.S. economy. While some argue that open markets are essential for global leadership and economic growth, others believe that such policies disproportionately harm American workers and industries, fueling the rise of protectionist sentiment.    This season, Why It Matters is taking you through the ins and outs of trade. In this episode, we’re examining how trade policy is sizing up to be anything but consensus.   Featured Guests   Shannon K. O’Neil, Senior Vice President, Director of Studies, and Maurice R. Greenberg Chair, CFR   Edward Alden, Senior Fellow specializing in U.S. economic competitiveness, trade, and immigration policy   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/wim/washington-consensus-could-not-hold

There was once a broad consensus in Washington that trade was a force for good—a way to connect, grow, and prosper. But today, trade has evolved into something much bigger than just the exchange of goods. It’s become a powerful tool to rewrite the rules of foreign policy, reshape how the United States is viewed by the rest of the world, and steer us toward an increasingly uncertain future. When did this change begin, and where did we go off course?   This season, Why It Matters is taking you through the ins and outs of trade. In this episode, we’re diving into the history books to learn what can the past tell us about the future of U.S. trade policy.   Featured Guest   Edward Alden, senior fellow specializing in U.S. economic competitiveness, trade, and immigration policy   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/weve-been-looking-trade-all-wrong

Why It Matters is back and this time we are dedicating an entire season to talking about trade. Alongside CFR’s leading experts, we are bringing you stories from Americans around the country and trying to figure out where Washington went wrong when it comes to U.S. trade policy.

As the climate crisis intensifies, so do discussions about the utilization of nuclear energy. In the aftermath of nuclear meltdowns such as Chernobyl and Fukushima, climate skeptics say the environmental benefits do not outweigh the associated costs and risks. But others think that nuclear energy might be the best option for a greener future. Weighed against the world’s continued reliance on fossil fuels, how could nuclear be a safeguard for our energy supply?   This episode was originally released on October 29, 2021.   Featured Guests   Leslie Dewan, CEO, RadiantNano   Shirley Ann Jackson, President, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/the-climate-for-nuclear-energy

Emerging technologies are transforming international relations and our country’s economy. So how do we connect science and engineering labs with Washington and the world of business?    The Interconnect, a new podcast series from the Council on Foreign Relations and the Stanford Emerging Technology Review, brings together leading minds in cutting-edge technology and foreign policy to explore recent ground-breaking developments, what's coming over the horizon, and the implications for U.S. innovation leadership.   In this featured episode, Stanford Emerging Technology Review Faculty Council Member Mark Horowitz and CFR’s technologist-in-residence Sebastian Elbaum discuss where chip manufacturing is heading, how hardware advances are powering the new artificial intelligence (AI) era, and what the United States should prioritize in order to sustain its leadership in this crucial domain.   Host   Martin Giles, Managing Editor of the Stanford Emerging Technology Review   Guests   Mark Horowitz, chair of the Electrical Engineering Department at Stanford University   Sebastian Elbaum, the Technologist in Residence at the Council on Foreign Relations

Fresh water sustains all life, but in many regions, especially arid ones, it is becoming increasingly scarce due to climate change. Aging infrastructure and ineffective policies are only making the situation worse, affecting communities, economies, and even the political stability of some countries. As water shortages intensify, it’s crucial to rethink how we manage this vital resource and develop more adaptable systems that can better withstand the effects of climate change.   This episode was originally released on July 8, 2021.   Featured Guests   Sandra Postel, Founder and Director, Global Water Policy Project   Mark Giordano, Professor of Geography and Cinco Hermanos Chair in Environment and International Affairs, Georgetown University   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/water-scarcity

Under international law, the North Pole and the Arctic waters surrounding it are not owned by any country. But this January, President Donald Trump announced his plans to buy the Arctic territory of Greenland, testing the claims of rivals and opening up a greater conversation around who governs the Arctic Circle. On top of these icy tensions, the North Pole is warming. Melting ice caps are opening up new shipping routes and making the region increasingly mineable, generating even more interest from leaders around the world.   This episode was originally released on March 29, 2023.   Featured Guests   Esther Brimmer, James H. Binger Senior Fellow in Global Governance   Jeff Randall, Military Fellow, U.S. Coast Guard For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/whats-cracking-arctic

What does it mean to price our climate? The goal of fees like the “carbon tax” is to put a price on pollutants such as carbon dioxide that contribute to climate change, and incentivize businesses to reduce their emissions and make cleaner choices. But many companies are continuing to value profit over protecting the planet, backing out of their clean energy goals and sinking more money into fossil fuels and other short-term investments that harm the Earth. This has been happening for years, but has ramped up in anticipation of a new Trump administration which has pulled away from climate initiatives like the Paris Accord and Inflation Reduction Act since taking office.   This episode was originally released on July 29, 2020.   Featured Guests   Kate Mackenzie, Green Columnist, Bloomberg   Michael Greenstone, Professor of Economics, University of Chicago For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/pricing-our-climate

For decades, U.S. homeowners have counted on property insurance to protect them from catastrophic loss if their homes are destroyed. But last year, private companies pulled their coverage in multiple climate-sensitive states, only months before the fires in Los Angeles and the hurricanes in the Southeast region wreaked havoc. As climate disasters become more frequent, can home insurance hold up?    This episode was originally released on September 27, 2023.   Featured Guests   David Marlett, Managing Director of the Brantley Risk & Insurance Center, Appalachian State University   Nancy Watkins, Principal and Consulting Actuary, Milliman For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at  https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/could-climate-change-break-home-insurance

Our editors top picks of Why It Matters episodes on climate.

What powers artificial intelligence (AI)? As global electricity use is surging, with unprecedented demand coming from an increase in data centers, AI’s dependence on fossil fuels presents a serious issue for the planet. In the United States, data center power usage is on track to double by 2030, largely due to the proliferation of AI technology. But while the application of AI shows potential to mitigate climate problems, will its power grab stall the clean energy transition?   Featured Guests:   Varun Sivaram, Senior Fellow for Climate and Energy, CFR   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/wim/dirty-energy-powering-ai

Tumultuous events have rocked the last four years: the COVID-19 pandemic, Europe’s largest land war in eighty years, and an escalating Middle Eastern conflict between Israel and Iran-backed forces. On top of that, the United States faces an intensifying geopolitical struggle with China and Russia. Now, U.S. President Joe Biden is running out of time to secure his legacy while the transition to a second Donald Trump administration comes sharply into focus. The U.S. president-elect has been quickly nominating leaders to his cabinet and receiving calls from foreign leaders. Why It Matters sits down with the hosts of The World Next Week to talk about what the United States–and a closely watching world–should expect in the weeks and months to come as incoming President Trump takes office.   Featured Guests:   Robert McMahon (Managing Editor, CFR) Carla Anne Robbins (Senior Fellow, CFR)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/why-world-next-week-matters

For most of our history, the realm of international relations was dominated by nation-states. They waged wars and signed treaties through the framework of governance. But today, more so than ever before, tech titans are acting as unilateral decision-makers, upsetting the balance and structure of global power around the world.   Featured Guests: Rana Foroohar (Global Business Columnist and Associate Editor, Financial Times; Global Economic Analyst, CNN) Adam Segal (Ira A. Lipman Chair in Emerging Technologies and Director of the Digital and Cyberspace Policy Program, CFR)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/wim/new-tech-world-order

With the rise of social media, influencers around the world have increasingly taken on the role of newscaster without a traditional media organization behind them. Some say it has democratized journalism, but with the rise of misinformation, influencers who capture massive audiences online also run the risk of spreading false or even harmful information. How much have influencers altered the media landscape?   Featured Guests:   Nic Newman (Senior Research Associate, Reuters Institute) Michael Spikes (Lecturer and Director of Teach for Chicago Journalism Program, Northwestern University) Renee DiResta (Technical Research Manager, Stanford Internet Observatory)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/wim/world-under-influence

The United States national debt is rising to levels not seen since World War II. Many economists say Washington is on an unsustainable track, but no one knows when it will pass the point of crisis. What is at risk if U.S. debt continues to grow?   Featured Guests: Maya MacGuineas (President of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget) Roger W. Ferguson Jr. (Steven A. Tananbaum Distinguished Fellow for International Economics, CFR)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/wim/whos-afraid-national-debt

The world is watching the U.S. presidential contest between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris with intense interest. Few countries are tracking the race more closely than Germany, Europe's biggest economy and a founding member of the NATO alliance. Its experiences provide insights into how this election is reverberating globally.   Featured Guests: Liana Fix (Fellow for Europe, CFR)  Stefan Kornelius (Foreign Editor, Süddeutsche Zeitung)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/wim/why-world-obsessed-us-election-ask-germany

West Africa is losing many of its best and brightest. Across the region, doctors, lawyers, and engineers are leaving, depriving some of the world’s youngest countries of the minds they need to develop sustainably. At the same time, coups have rocked the nearby Sahel, threatening to create a corrosive cycle of instability. Can West Africa quell the tide of emigration?   Featured Guests: Aanu Adeoye (West Africa correspondent, Financial Times) Ebenezer Obadare (Douglas Dillon Senior Fellow for Africa Studies, CFR)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/can-west-africa-curb-its-brain-drain

In the past thirty years, sixty countries have expanded access to abortion care as an underpinning of maternal health. The 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade made the United States the fourth country ever to decrease access to abortion—and the world took notice. Some countries have since reinforced protections for abortion care, while others have moved to further restrict it.   Featured Guests: Onikepe Owolabi (Director of International Research, Guttmacher Institute) Patty Skuster (Reproductive Health Law Policy Researcher and Consultant, University of Pennsylvania)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/global-abortion-access-after-roe

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the most popular man in India. On track to be elected for a third term, he has boosted the country’s global standing and propelled strong economic growth while consolidating power and galvanizing majoritarian support for his Hindu nationalist agenda—all while growing closer to the United States. How could Hindu nationalism reshape India?   Ashok Swain (Head of Department of Peace and Conflict Research, Uppsala University) Hartosh Singh Bal (Executive Editor, The Caravan)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/india-modi-and-hindu-nationalism

A free and independent press is at the core of many democracies. But threats to the safety of journalists abound worldwide, and the rise of generative artificial intelligence has raised concerns about the future of media. At the same time, more people have access to high quality news now than perhaps ever before. Where does all this leave the state of the current media climate? In this episode, Host Gabrielle Sierra and Foreign Affairs Editor Daniel Kurtz-Phelan talk about the future of journalism, and whether political polarization presents a challenge to nonpartisan publishing.   Dan Kurtz-Phelan (Executive Editor, Foreign Affairs)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/publishing-polarized-world

A little over a week ago, Iran directly attacked Israel from its own territory for the first time in history. And while the United States and Israel shot down almost all of the missiles and drones, the attack remains unprecedented. Since the release of this episode, Israel has launched a relatively moderate counter strike, and tensions appear to be cooling. But the Middle East might still be on the brink of a wider war. Host Dan Kurtz-Phelan and guests Suzanne Maloney and Ali Vaez discuss the consequences of deteriorating Iran-Israel dynamics and more in this Foreign Affairs Interview episode.   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit Foreign Affairs at https://www.foreignaffairs.com/podcasts/can-israel-and-iran-step-back-brink

Thirty years ago, Rwanda’s government began a campaign to eradicate the country’s largest minority group. In just one hundred days in 1994, roving militias killed around eight hundred thousand people. Would-be killers were incited to violence by the radio, which encouraged extremists to take to the streets with machetes. The United Nations stood by amid the bloodshed, and many foreign governments, including the United States, declined to intervene before it was too late. What got in the way of humanitarian intervention? And as violent conflict now rages at a clip unseen since then, can the international community learn from the mistakes of its past?   Featured Guests: Claude Gatebuke (Executive Director, African Great Lakes Action Network) David Scheffer (Senior Fellow for International Law and Criminal Justice, CFR)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/remembering-rwandan-genocide

Many Americans are losing faith in the benefits of internationalism. But whether it’s wars in the Gaza Strip and Ukraine, worsening extreme weather as a result of climate change, or the trade-offs of globalization, events abroad are increasingly having a local impact. At the same time,  more state and local officials in the United States are becoming involved in global affairs, conducting their own form of diplomacy on international issues and driving investment home. What role should the United States play in the world economy? And how do states and cities fit in?   Read about the RealEcon Initiative.   Featured Guests: Matthew P. Goodman, Distinguished Fellow for Global Economic Policy and Director of the Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies Nina Hachigian, U.S. Special Representative for City and State Diplomacy   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/local-leaders-global-economy

Unidentified flying objects (UFOs) are real. And the truth about them is often hidden from the public, for reasons related to national security. That secrecy has fed conspiracy theories about the possibility of alien life on Earth, creating a stigma around the legitimate scientific search for life on other planets. Why are UFOs considered a defense concern? And does a defense framing of UFOs inhibit scientific research?   Featured Guests Philippe Ailleris (Copernicus Programme Project Controller, European Space Agency) Shane Harris (Intelligence Correspondent, Washington Post) Kai-Uwe Schrogl (President, International Institute of Space Law)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/ufos-close-encounters-national-security-kind

Every January, CFR’s annual Preventive Priorities Survey analyzes the conflicts most likely to occur in the year ahead and measures their potential impact. For the first time, the survey predicts that this year/in 2024 the United States will contend not only with a slew of global threats, but also a high risk of upheaval within its own borders. Is the country prepared for the eruption of election-related instability at home while wars continue to rage abroad?   Featured Guest:  Paul B. Stares (General John W. Vessey Senior Fellow for Conflict Prevention and Director of the Center for Preventive Action)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/2024-whats-worst-could-happen

Billions of people will take to the polls next year, marking the world’s largest-ever electoral field. But this historic scale is not the only thing that will make 2024 unique. As new threats like deep fakes become cheaper and more widespread, these upcoming elections could serve as a test run for democracy in the artificial intelligence (AI) era. What risks does AI pose to elections next year? And will a surge in AI-powered disinformation change the nature of democratic elections?   Featured Guests: Kat Duffy (Senior Fellow for Digital and Cyberspace Policy) Yoel Roth (Technology Policy Fellow, University of California, Berkeley)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/year-ai-and-elections

The United States and India have a long and complex history. In recent years, the two democracies have grown closer, linked by their shared concern about the rise of China. But the relationship has also been marked by a number of challenges. Just last week, U.S. authorities foiled a plot by an Indian national to assassinate a Sikh separatist on U.S. soil. Is the United States thinking about India the right way? And do the two countries share the same goals with regard to China? In this week's podcast takeover, host Dan Kurtz-Phelan and guest Ashley J. Tellis discuss all this and more in this Foreign Affairs Interview episode.   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit Foreign Affairs at https://www.foreignaffairs.com/podcasts/will-india-take-americas-side-against-china

Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas are again at war. The most recent iteration of the conflict, which erupted after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, has stoked public debate throughout the world. In the United States, heated debates about the issue have played out at universities, in boardrooms, and on social media. Thus far, the U.S. government has strongly supported Israel’s right to defend itself, sending warships and high-ranking officials to the region, but concerns are mounting about the civilian death toll and humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. U.S. support for Israel is not new, but it has grown increasingly controversial, particularly among young people. Still, experts are skeptical that shifting U.S. public opinion of Israel and the Palestinian territories will influence the war’s trajectory.   Featured Guest: Steven A. Cook (Eni Enrico Mattei Senior Fellow for Middle East and Africa Studies)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/understanding-us-role-israel-hamas-war

International trade has shaped the world for much of the past century. Countries benefited from the global flow of goods, and the world became richer and safer. At the same time, many Americans lost their jobs to cheaper overseas competitors. Now, a series of compounding challenges, including great power competition and climate change, have led U.S. officials to rethink trade policy. What's next for international trade? And can the United States retain the benefits of trade while protecting critical supply chains and fighting climate change?   Featured Guests: Jennifer Hillman (Senior Fellow for Trade and International Political Economy) Inu Manak (Fellow for Trade Policy) Edward Alden (Bernard L. Schwartz Senior Fellow)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/turning-point-global-trade

Over the past few years, a new threat has emerged as a leading cause of death in the United States: fentanyl. Yet even as the drug wreaks havoc on Americans lives, preventing its flow into the United States is complicated, partially because of the supply’s overseas origins, which is often China. What is China’s role in the U.S. fentanyl crisis?   Featured Guests: Tom Bollyky (​​Senior Fellow for Global Health, Economics, and Development, and Director of the Global Health Program) Zongyuan Zoe Liu (Maurice R. Greenberg Fellow for China Studies)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/americas-fentanyl-epidemic-china-connection

Russia has caused unprecedented damage in Ukraine. And with no diplomatic end in sight to the conflict, many Ukrainians are wondering when, if ever, they will be able to go back to their homes. According to many experts, the answer is actually sooner rather than later. Can reconstruction begin before a war ends? Who pays, and where should world leaders begin?   Featured Guests:  Sam Greene (Director of the Democratic Resilience Program at the Center for European Policy Analysis, Professor of Russian Politics, King's College London) Phillip Zelikow (White Burkett Miller Professor of History at the University of Virginia, Distinguished Visiting Fellow at the Hoover Institution)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us as https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/case-rebuilding-ukraine

For decades, U.S. homeowners have counted on property insurance to protect them from catastrophic loss if their homes are destroyed—and the U.S. economy has rested on the functionality of that model. But as this summer’s extreme weather broke records, private companies reduced their coverage. As climate disasters become more frequent, can home insurance hold up?   Featured Guests: David Marlett (Managing Director of the Brantley Risk & Insurance Center, Appalachian State University) Nancy Watkins (Principal and Consulting Actuary, Milliman)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/could-climate-change-break-home-insurance

Female representation in politics leads to numerous benefits, but the vast majority of the world’s most powerful politicians are men. Using the Council on Foreign Relations’ Women’s Power Index tool to track women’s leadership across the globe, this episode examines the problems that arise from a shortage of female leaders.   Featured Guests:  Sandra Pepera (Senior Associate and Director for Gender, Women and Democracy, National Democratic Institute) Linda Robinson (Senior Fellow for Women and Foreign Policy)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/who-runs-world-not-women

A small island one hundred miles off the coast of China could be the flashpoint that determines the future of great-power competition. Experts increasingly warn that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan would be globally catastrophic, regardless of its success or if the United States intervenes. How concerned should Americans be?   James Lin (Assistant Professor at the University of Washington ) David Sacks (Fellow for Asia Studies, CFR)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/taiwan-china-and-threat-war

The rapid emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) has brought lawmakers and industry leaders to the same conclusion: regulation is necessary to ensure the technology changes the world for the better. The similarities could end there, as governments and industry clash on what those laws should do, and different governments take increasingly divergent approaches. What are the stakes of the debate over AI regulation?   Featured Guests: Janet Haven (Executive Director, Data & Society) Sebastian Mallaby (Paul A. Volcker Senior Fellow for International Economics, CFR)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/ai-meets-world-part-two

After decades of seeming like another sci-fi catchphrase, artificial intelligence (AI) is having its moment. Some experts predict that AI will usher in an era of boundless productivity and techno-utopia; others see a new realm of great-power competition and the end of humanity. Nearly all agree that AI will change the world. But will it be for the better?   Featured Guests: Janet Haven (Executive Director, Data & Society) Sebastian Mallaby (Paul A. Volcker Senior Fellow for International Economics, CFR)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/ai-meets-world-part-one

Feeding the world's eight billion people has never been easy. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine shocked the market for fertilizer, that task has gotten even harder. The fertilizer crisis threatens to exacerbate food insecurity worldwide, especially in low-income countries already reeling from record-high inflation and rapidly depreciating currencies. What is fertilizer’s role in the food supply chain?   Featured Guests:  Laura Cross (Director, Market Intelligence, International Fertilizer Association) Michelle Gavin (Ralph Bunche Senior Fellow for Africa Policy Studies)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/down-and-dirty-global-fertilizer-dilemma

Before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the possibility of nuclear war felt like a problem of days past. Now, as great-power competition heats up, the potential for nuclear conflict seems higher than at any point in decades. How did the nuclear taboo fade, and what does nuclear proliferation mean for the United States?   Featured Guests: J. Andrés Gannon (Stanton Nuclear Security Fellow, CFR) Rupal N. Mehta (Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/new-nuclear-age

All current U.S. military personnel have one thing in common: they volunteered. But falling recruitment has raised questions of national security, military readiness, and the health of U.S. society. Can the all-volunteer force handle a changing international security landscape?   Featured Guests: Max Boot (Jeane J. Kirkpatrick Senior Fellow for National Security Studies, CFR) Amy Bushatz (Director and Executive Editor, Military.com) Colonel Timothy J. MacDonald (U.S. Army Fellow, CFR)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/army-some-recruiting-trouble-all-volunteer-force