CFR expert Chris McGuire testified to the House Foreign Affairs Committee that export controls related to semiconductor manufacturing equipment and advanced semiconductors are one of the most powerful tools available to U.S. policymakers in the technological competition with China. Read more:

🎧 On this episode of The President's Inbox podcast, Chris McGuire sits down with James Lindsay to discuss whether U.S. efforts to deny China advanced semiconductor chips will sustain the U.S. lead in artificial intelligence or unintentionally accelerate Chinese innovation.

President Trump has imposed punitive measures on several countries in the name of curbing what he characterizes as high fentanyl flows into the United States. In reality, supplies of the drug—and related deaths—have sharply declined, though they are still at worrying levels.

This year's UN climate summit, known as COP30, is wrapping up its final week with little evident progress on critical issues, argue climate experts @alice-c-hill.bsky.social, @profdavidhart.bsky.social, and Daniel B. Poneman. Here is their analysis of the major themes:

President Vladimir Putin proposed an extension to New START—a nuclear arms treaty that limits the size of U.S. and Russian nuclear arsenals. "An unverifiable, 1-year extension is not a substitute for peace in Europe," write John Drennan and Erin Dumbacher.

Mohammed bin Salman visited the White House on Tuesday for the first time in 7 years. The meeting affirmed the importance of the two countries’ partnership in the Middle East, but questions remain over how much influence Saudi Arabia has in broader regional peace efforts, argues Steven Cook.

Takaichi Sanae is looking to accelerate the changes that Abe set in motion over a decade ago, despite a host of new challenges, writes Sheila Smith.

When she was younger, @inumanak.bsky.social wanted to be an actor. She pivoted to studying the dramatic intricacies global trade relations. Now, she's a senior fellow for international trade at CFR. Read more about her life, career, and the advice she has for others:

Are you a mid-career professional passionate about foreign policy? Our International Affairs Fellowship in Canada provides the opportunity to dive into key issues pertinent to the U.S.-Canada partnership. Learn more about eligibility and how to apply by 11/30 ➡️ https://on.cfr.org/4o3DQMg

"There are moments in great-power politics when the tectonic plates seem to shift perceptibly beneath us. The recent summit between President Trump and President Xi Jinping of China was one of those inflection points," writes Rush Doshi.

The G20, gathering of many of the world’s largest economies, is the premier global forum for discussing international economic issues. Its 2025 summit marks the first time the forum is hosted in Africa, but questions loom about the group’s continued relevance.

"Despite a sharp reduction in humanitarian ambitions since January, the Trump administration’s response to Hurricane Melissa signals that the United States hasn’t entirely abandoned its vital role as global first responder," writes Sam Vigersky.

To meet growing energy demands while averting climate change, the world must accelerate innovation, argue David M. Hart, Colin Cunliff, Mia Beams, and Akkshath Subrahmanian.

The Hull Doctrine is dead – drowned in the South China Sea. While the liberal belief that trade raises the cost of war contains a kernel of truth, it is equally true that interdependence can just as easily breed mistrust and rivalry, writes Benn Steil.

📣 We are now accepting applications for CFR's 2026–27 Stanton Nuclear Security Fellowship, a unique opportunity for young professionals studying nuclear security issues. Learn more: https://on.cfr.org/3JaeQnk Apply by 11/30

The Trump administration’s accusations that Nigeria is allowing targeted killings of Christians distract from the bigger problem of jihadist and other forms of indiscriminate violence, argues Africa expert Ebenezer Obadare. Read more of this analysis:

With a mercurial president, the policy effect of an National Security Strategy—or even a more detailed National Defense Strategy—is especially hard to predict, writes Carla Anne Robbins.

Foreign intervention, political instability, and natural disasters have stymied development efforts in Haiti. Recently, armed gangs have sought to fill the country’s political vacuum by taking control of large swaths of territory. Here's what to know:

With 2025 marking the ten-year anniversary of the Paris Agreement, countries have made some progress lowering global heating predictions, but trends are still not on track to meeting climate commitments. Here's what to know from our explainer:

"For decades, the liberal belief that open trade fosters peace has shaped US foreign policy. It worked while US security guarantees held the system together, but as those commitments weaken and new powers assert themselves, the multilateral trading order is rapidly coming undone," writes Benn Steil.

"The government argues that IEEPA allows the president to 'regulate ... importation,' which implicitly includes tariffs. Most members of the court seem unpersuaded," writes John K. Veroneau.

"Washington needs better answers to the strategic dilemmas inherent in managing quasi alliances. Only by grappling with recent successes and failures can policymakers develop a better playbook," writes Rebecca Lissner.

The U.S. relies on China for 70% of its rare earths and nearly 100% of its heavy rare earths. A new CFR Task Force explains America's supply chain dependencies in the new tech race—and how to fix them.

Government tensions have upended the economic relationships between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Despite this, North American members of the Trilateral Commission appeared committed to finding a path forward when they met in October. Read analysis by expert Rebecca Patterson:

CFR President Michael Froman analyzes the big picture of a trade strategy that may be emerging. Read his thoughts below ⬇️

"China’s reported current account surplus understates China’s contribution to global trade imbalances. The massive gap between China’s export and import volume growth over the last six years tells a more accurate story," writes Brad Setser.

Heidi Crebo-Rediker spent nearly two decades in investment banking overseas before pivoting to government work. She sat down with CFR to chat about how her early fascination with Russia influenced her career path and the benefits of starting her career in finance.

A new CFR Task Force report highlights America's opportunity to lead the next wave of tech innovation. Investments in AI, quantum, and biotechnology are necessary to stay ahead as China gains ground, finds the Task Force.

Get an exclusive look at CFR's new bipartisan Task Force report focused on how to ensure U.S. advantages in areas such as AI, quantum and biotechnology from @axios.com: https://www.axios.com/2025/11/12/ai-trump-private-sector-intervention

MAGA loyalists will go wherever Trump leads, and a lot of them actually seem to appreciate the discordant combination of Trump mediating conflicts while simultaneously saber-rattling, writes @maxboot.bsky.social.

October marked the 25th anniversary of the UN security council resolution that launched the women, peace, and security effort. Linda Robinson and Noël James review the results of U.S. efforts:

Today is Veterans Day, which Americans first observed on November 11, 1919, one year after the end of World War I. Today, roughly 16 million Americans are veterans. Expert James Lindsay explores the history:

Nuclear security is one of the greatest challenges facing the world today. CFR's Stanton Nuclear Security Fellowship offers younger scholars studying nuclear security issues the opportunity to conduct policy-relevant research. Apply by 11/30 ➡️ https://on.cfr.org/4orLRdr

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth launched Pentagon reforms that prioritize speed in acquiring new military capabilities, but the ambitious proposal risks running into the same bureaucratic obstacles that have plagued past efforts, argue CFR experts.

There are, broadly speaking, two competing theories that help to explain why Argentina has a long history of financial turmoil, writes Brad Setser.

With 2025 marking the ten-year anniversary of the Paris Agreement, countries have made some progress lowering global heating predictions, but trends are still not on track to meeting climate commitments. Here's what to know from our explainer:

The credibility of U.S. and allied leadership in the digital order will rest on whether they can embed trust into the architecture of machine intelligence itself, writes Vinh Nguyen.

Linda Robinson's career as a foreign correspondent and researcher has taken her through Latin America and the Middle East. She chatted with CFR about being an immersion journalist and the importance of women in democracy movements. Learn more:

"Thailand has increasingly become the Southeast Asian hub of transnational repression. Across mainland Southeast Asia, transnational repression—of political activists, refugees, and others—has spiked over the past decade," writes Josh Kurlantzick.

The choice between spending a dollar on vaccination versus a dollar on cutting emissions comes down in large part to how you value a life today relative to one tomorrow, writes Lindsay Iversen.

🎧 On this episode of The President's Inbox podcast, Michael Horowitz sits down with James Lindsay to discuss how emerging military technologies are revolutionizing the modern battlefield and how the Pentagon is adapting and incorporating these new technologies. Listen below ⬇️

CFR President Michael Froman discusses the latest from the civil war in Sudan with CFR Africa expert Michelle Gavin. Read their full conversation ⬇️

The 30th Conference of the Parties will present a stress test for multilateralism and the greater climate effort as it kicks off on November 10 in Belém, Brazil. CFR expert @alice-c-hill.bsky.social and Angus Soderberg explain the stakes and what to watch out for:

How Sharaa rules his impoverished, broken, and politically divided country remains an open question, but clearly U.S. President Donald Trump believes a White House visit will help unlock much-needed reconstruction assistance and set Syria on a positive path, writes @stevenacook.bsky.social.

The Rapid Support Forces have agreed to a proposal for a humanitarian ceasefire in Sudan put forth by the United States and Arab countries and has said it “looks forward” to peace talks. The Sudanese Army did not immediately respond to the announcement.

This year's UN climate summit will present a stress test for the greater climate effort. But countries’ climate commitments are still lacking, and the U.S. has withdrawn from the global effort even as average temperatures rise, argue Alice Hill and Angus Soderberg.

CFR’s Global Monetary Policy Tracker by Benn Steil compiles data from 54 countries around the world to highlight significant global trends in monetary policy. Who is tightening policy? Who is loosening policy? Find out more ⬇️

Part of the challenge facing WTO members today is that the world has fundamentally changed since the institution’s founding, while the rules and tools to address those changes have not kept up, writes @inumanak.bsky.social.

Are you a mid-career professional passionate about foreign policy? Our International Affairs Fellowship in Canada provides the opportunity to dive into key issues pertinent to the U.S.-Canada partnership. Learn more about eligibility and how to apply by 11/30 ➡️ https://on.cfr.org/4o3DQMg

Preventable infectious diseases are climbing worldwide. This global disease tracker, updated weekly, traces outbreaks of 9 childhood diseases around the world, including measles and polio. Use the new tool by Think Global Health ⬇️