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On the Midterm Elections and Their Implications for U.S. Foreign Policy Oct 30, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, panelists discuss how public opinion, election administration, and shifts in congressional power could shape America’s global posture in the months after the midterm elections.

Host: Carla Anne Robbins, senior fellow, Council on Foreign Relations

Guests: James M. Lindsay, Mary and David Boies Distinguished Senior Fellow in U.S. Foreign Policy, Council on Foreign Relations

Hannah Hartig, senior researcher, Pew Research Center

Jessica Huseman, editorial director, Votebeat

Opening Remarks: Irina A. Faskianos, vice president for National Program and Outreach, Council on Foreign Relations

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To keep tabs on all CFR events, visit cfr.org/events. To watch this event, please visit CFR’s YouTube channel: Midterm Elections and Implications for U.S. Foreign Policy

On American Energy Strategy Post-Hormuz Oct 23, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, panelists explore the uncertain status of U.S. security assurances for the free flow of oil, the ongoing crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, and the ramifications of both for U.S. and global energy security.

Host: Vijay V. Vaitheeswaran, Philip D. Reed Senior Fellow and Director of the Energy and Climate Program, Council on Foreign Relations

Guests: Edward L. Morse, Senior Advisor, Hartree Partners, LP; CFR Member

Kelly Sims Gallagher, Dean, The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy; CFR Member

Kevin Book, Director of Research and Cofounder, ClearView Energy Partners, LLC; CFR Member

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To keep tabs on all CFR events, visit cfr.org/events. To watch this event, please visit CFR’s YouTube channel: American Energy Strategy Post-Hormuz

On Combating Human Trafficking Oct 16, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, panelists discuss cross-sector efforts to combat human trafficking.

Host: Rachel B. Vogelstein, Associate Professor of Professional Practice; Director, Women’s Initiative, Institute of Global Politics, Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs

Guests: Diana S. Gerson, Associate Executive Vice President, New York Board of Rabbis

Shadi Kourosh, Associate Professor of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School; CFR Member

Mary Graw Leary, Professor of Law, Columbus School of Law, Catholic University of America

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To keep tabs on all CFR events, visit cfr.org/event. To watch this event, please visit the CFR YouTube channel: CFR 2/26 Religion and Foreign Policy Webinar: Combating Human Trafficking

A Conversation With President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana Oct 09, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, President John Dramani Mahama discusses Ghana’s development priorities, the country’s role as a regional leader in West Africa, and the future of U.S.-Ghana relations.

Host: Michelle Gavin, Ralph Bunche Senior Fellow for Africa Policy Studies and Director of the Council of Councils, Council on Foreign Relations; Former U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Botswana

Guest: John Mahama, President, Republic of Ghana

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To keep tabs on all CFR events, visit cfr.org/events. To watch this event, please visit CFR’s YouTube channel: A Conversation With President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana

A Conversation With Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre of Norway and President Alexander Stubb of Finland Oct 06, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre of Norway and President Alexander Stubb of Finland discuss the current state of the war in Ukraine, Arctic and European security, shifting geopolitics, and strategic investments in foreign aid.

Host: Fareed Zakaria, Host, Fareed Zakaria GPS, CNN; Member, Board of Directors, Council on Foreign Relations

Guest: Jonas Gahr Støre, Prime Minister, Kingdom of Norway

Alexander Stubb, President, Republic of Finland

Want more comprehensive analysis of global news and events sent straight to your inbox? Subscribe to CFR’s Daily Brief newsletter.

To keep tabs on all CFR events, visit cfr.org/events. To watch this event, please visit CFR’s YouTube channel: A Conversation With Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre of Norway and President Alexander Stubb of Finland

A Conversation With President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi of Somaliland Oct 02, 2026

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In this episode, President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi discusses Somaliland’s bid for international recognition and the regional security landscape.

Host: Ebenezer Obadare, Douglas Dillon Senior Fellow for Africa Studies, Council on Foreign Relations

Guest: Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, President, Republic of Somaliland

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To keep tabs on all CFR events, visit cfr.org/events. To watch this event, please visit it on our YouTube channel: A Conversation With President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi of Somaliland

Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados on the Challenges Facing Climate-Vulnerable and Developing Countries Sep 25, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados discusses the challenges facing climate-vulnerable and developing countries, including efforts to reform the international financial architecture, expand access to development finance, and advance a more resilient and equitable global economy.

Host: Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations (2021–25); Member, Board of Directors, Council on Foreign Relations

Guest: Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister, Barbados

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To keep tabs on all CFR events, visit cfr.org/events. To watch this event, please visit it on our YouTube channel: A Conversation with Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados.

On Africa Policy With Tony Elumelu Sep 24, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, leading African investor and philanthropist Tony Elumelu discusses the continent’s evolving role in the global economy, including entrepreneurship as a catalyst for development, private sector-led growth, energy security, and the evolving U.S.-Africa partnership.

Host: Michael Froman, President, Council on Foreign Relations

Guests: Tony O. Elumelu, African Investor and Philanthropist; Founder and Chairman of Heirs Holdings; Founder, The Tony Elumelu Foundation

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To keep tabs on all CFR events, visit cfr.org/events. To watch this event, please visit it on our YouTube channel: A Conversation With Tony Elumelu.

On France’s UN Security Council Presidency Priorities Sep 18, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Ambassador Jérôme Bonnafont discusses France’s priorities as it assumes the presidency of the UN Security Council.

Host: Jane Hartley, Chair, Board of Directors, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace; Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom (2022–25) and to France and Monaco (2014–17); CFR Member

Guest: Jérôme Bonnafont, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of France to the United Nations

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 the CFR YouTube channel: France’s UN Security Council Presidency Priorities: A Conversation With Ambassador Jérôme Bonnafont

Eyewitness to History: Reflections on September 11 Sep 11, 2026

Show notes

Title: Eyewitness to History: Reflections on September 11

In this episode, senior leaders across various sectors reflect on their firsthand experiences of the September 11 attacks and the global war on terrorism that followed.

Host: Juju Chang, Coanchor, Nightline, ABC News; CFR Member

Guests: Jane Harman, Former U.S. Representative (D-CA), Former Ranking Member, House Intelligence Subcommittee on Terrorism and Homeland Security (1993–2011); Chair, 2024 Commission on the National Defense Strategy; CFR Member

Paul D. Wolfowitz, Distinguished Visiting Fellow, Hoover Institution; Former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense (2001–05); CFR Member

John E. McLaughlin, Professor of Practice, Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies; Former Deputy Director and Acting Director, Central Intelligence Agency (2000–04); CFR Member

John B. Bellinger III, Adjunct Senior Fellow for International and National Security Law, Council on Foreign Relations; Partner, Arnold & Porter LLP; Former Senior Associate Counsel to the President and Legal Advisor to the National Security Council (2001–05); CFR Member

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To keep tabs on all CFR events, visit cfr.org/event. To watch this event, visit the CFR YouTube channel: Eyewitnesses to History—The View From Washington

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