On the Record

Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE president and former senior official, weighs in on the Iran-Israel-U.S. conflict and its fallout for Gulf states. He discusses attacks on civilian infrastructure, UAE restraint and defenses, fragile mediation and trust with Iran, risks of a protracted war, and how regional alignments and maritime security may shift.

In this episode, panelists discuss the ongoing geoeconomic consequences of the conflict in Iran, including global energy flows and oil prices, economic development and AI buildout in the Gulf region, and sanctions on Russia. They also explore inflation and interest rates as markets respond to the crises.   Background Reading: In this article, CFR president Michael Froman discusses the unfolding global energy crisis with CFR senior fellow Daniel B. Poneman and the Center on Global Energy Policy’s Jason Bordoff, all of whom worked together on the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve 2011 release.   Host: Edward Fishman, Senior Fellow and Director of the Maurice R. Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies, Council on Foreign Relations   Guests: Edward Morse, Senior Advisor and Commodities Analyst, Hartree Partners, LP; CFR Member   Meghan L. O’Sullivan, Director and Professor, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School; Member, Board of Directors, Council on Foreign Relations   Brad W. Setser, Whitney Shepardson Senior Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations   Karen E. Young, Senior Research Scholar, Center on Global Energy Policy, Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs; 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: The Geoeconomic Ripple Effects of the War in Iran

In this episode, panelists discuss Iran’s current political climate, concerns for civilians on the ground, and how the country’s rapidly evolving internal dynamics are shaping U.S. objectives as well as broader regional and international considerations.   Background Reading: In this article, International Affairs Fellow Sam Vigersky discusses the global economic disruption caused by the Iran war and its effects on existing humanitarian crises.    Host: Deborah Amos, Ferris Professor of Journalism in Residence, Princeton University; CFR Member   Guests: Elliott Abrams, Senior Fellow for Middle Eastern Studies, Council on Foreign Relations   Mahmood Reza Amiry-Moghaddam, Professor, University of Oslo; Founder and Director, Iran Human Rights NGO   Mara Karlin, Professor of Practice, Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies; Visiting Fellow, Brookings Institution; CFR Member   Ray Takeyh, Hasib J. Sabbagh Senior Fellow for Middle East Studies, 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: Iran’s Internal Dynamics and U.S. Objectives

Elbridge A. Colby, Under Secretary of War for Policy and architect of the National Defense Strategy, lays out priorities and posture. He discusses prioritizing the Western Hemisphere, a firm but pragmatic approach to China, calibrated aims toward Iran, and the push to mobilize U.S. and allied defense production. Short takes on NATO, Japan, AUKUS, and deterrence challenges round out the conversation.

In this episode, panelists explore three critical issues for securing Ukraine’s future: achieving a just and durable peace, ensuring long-term security, and helping the country rebuild and recover from the ravages of war.   Background Reading: This article offers concrete recommendations by five CFR experts for securing the future of Ukraine and Europe.   Host: Jonathan Karl, ABC News chief Washington correspondent and co-anchor of This Week with George Stephanopoulos   Guests: Jeanne Shaheen, U.S. Senator from New Hampshire (D); Ranking Member, Senate Foreign Relations Committee; Member, Senate Armed Services Committee   Thom Tillis, U.S. Senator from North Carolina (R); Chair, Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property; Member, Senate Finance Committee   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: The U.S. Vision for Ukraine

In this episode, John C. Williams, president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, discusses monetary policy and the economic outlook for the year ahead.   Background Reading: This article highlights the trade policies four CFR experts will be monitoring this year.   Host: Abby Joseph Cohen, Professor of Business, Columbia Business School    Guests: John C. Williams, President and CEO, Federal Reserve Bank of New York   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: International Economics With John C. Williams

Robert D. Blackwill, CFR scholar and author proposing a 'resolute global leadership' grand strategy. Thomas A. Shannon, Jr., former Under Secretary of State and policy adviser offering critique and context. They debate U.S. legitimacy, military strength, tech competition, alliances, diplomacy, and how to balance government support with market dynamism in shaping American global leadership.

Cameron Hudson, former U.S. official versed in African mediation; Kholood Khair, regional analyst on Sudanese conflict dynamics; Declan Walsh, NYT Africa correspondent reporting from the front lines. They discuss the war’s humanitarian scale, shifting battle lines and drone use, regional spoilers and cross-border arms flows, limits of international mediation and sanctions, and collapsing aid pipelines.

Pete Ricketts, U.S. senator from Nebraska and chair of an East Asia and cybersecurity subcommittee, offers a lawmaker’s take on deterrence and Taiwan security. He discusses bipartisan trips to the region and how firsthand observation shaped assessments. He covers supply-chain levers beyond chips, allied coordination on tech controls, and legislative tools to speed Taiwan’s defenses.

Natasha Sarin, Yale law professor focused on fiscal sustainability; Jan Hatzius, Goldman Sachs chief economist with data-driven macro forecasts; Karen Karniol-Tambour, Bridgewater co-CIO on macro and AI market effects. They discuss geopolitical volatility and market complacency. They cover rising U.S. public debt and Europe’s fiscal strain. They debate AI’s macro impact, China’s mixed outlook, and private credit risks.