Backgrounders
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World Health Organization (WHO)
What Does the World Health Organization Do?
Since its postwar founding, the UN agency has garnered both praise and criticism for its response to international public health crises, including the pandemic of a new coronavirus in 2020.Since its postwar founding, the UN agency has garnered both praise and criticism for its response to international public health crises, including the pandemic of a new coronavirus in 2020. -
Democracy in Hong Kong
As China’s power continues to grow, some fear that the considerable autonomy Hong Kong has enjoyed over the last three decades could slip away.As China’s power continues to grow, some fear that the considerable autonomy Hong Kong has enjoyed over the last three decades could slip away. -
What Is the World Doing to Create a COVID-19 Vaccine?
The race to find a vaccine for the new coronavirus is well underway. Governments and researchers are aiming to provide billions of people with immunity in eighteen months or less, which would be unprecedented.The race to find a vaccine for the new coronavirus is well underway. Governments and researchers are aiming to provide billions of people with immunity in eighteen months or less, which would be unprecedented. -
How the Coronavirus Will Harm State and City Budgets
The coronavirus pandemic is placing enormous budget pressure on state and local governments, threatening deep and potentially lasting cuts to education, infrastructure, and other important investments.The coronavirus pandemic is placing enormous budget pressure on state and local governments, threatening deep and potentially lasting cuts to education, infrastructure, and other important investments.
In Briefs
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Censorship and Freedom of Expression
Trump’s Executive Order: What to Know About Section 230
President Trump wants to scale back a law that protects social media companies such as Twitter from liability for what their users post. Why is it controversial?President Trump wants to scale back a law that protects social media companies such as Twitter from liability for what their users post. Why is it controversial? -
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Open Skies: Another Dying Arms Control Agreement?
A pending U.S. withdrawal from the Treaty on Open Skies has alarmed some allies in Europe, who fear losing a valuable means of monitoring Russia.A pending U.S. withdrawal from the Treaty on Open Skies has alarmed some allies in Europe, who fear losing a valuable means of monitoring Russia. -
What’s Driving Lebanon’s Midpandemic Protests?
An unprecedented financial and political crisis has sparked mass protests in Lebanon, but a nonresponsive government and the coronavirus pandemic could stand in the way of demonstrators’ demands.An unprecedented financial and political crisis has sparked mass protests in Lebanon, but a nonresponsive government and the coronavirus pandemic could stand in the way of demonstrators’ demands.
Podcasts
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George Floyd’s Funeral, Coronavirus at Month Six, and More
The funeral for George Floyd, whose death in police custody triggered massive U.S. protests against racism, is held in Houston; the novel coronavirus continues its global spread six months after emerging in Wuhan, China; and the fourth round of Brexit talks is held.The funeral for George Floyd, whose death in police custody triggered massive U.S. protests against racism, is held in Houston; the novel coronavirus continues its global spread six months after emerging in Wuhan, China; and the fourth round of Brexit talks is held. -
The Human Cost of Labor Trafficking
It is estimated that twenty to forty million people around the world are victims of human trafficking. Of these, the majority are trafficked for labor, and many of them are exploited in the United States.It is estimated that twenty to forty million people around the world are victims of human trafficking. Of these, the majority are trafficked for labor, and many of them are exploited in the United States. -
The State of the Special Relationship, With Ambassador Dame Karen Pierce DCMG
Dame Karen Pierce DCMG, the British ambassador to the United States, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss U.S.-UK relations, Britain’s post-Brexit foreign policy, and the merits of multilateralism.Dame Karen Pierce DCMG, the British ambassador to the United States, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss U.S.-UK relations, Britain’s post-Brexit foreign policy, and the merits of multilateralism.
Special Projects
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Constitutional Change in Japan
Japan's constitutional debate is about not simply the document's past but also the nation's ability to respond to twenty-first-century challenges.Japan's constitutional debate is about not simply the document's past but also the nation's ability to respond to twenty-first-century challenges. -
Women's Workplace Equality Index
Most countries still have laws that make it harder for women to work than men. This inequality shortchanges not only women but also entire economies.Most countries still have laws that make it harder for women to work than men. This inequality shortchanges not only women but also entire economies. -
Candidate Tracker
CFR is following the presidential candidates on the major foreign policy issues. Dive deeper below.CFR is following the presidential candidates on the major foreign policy issues. Dive deeper below. -
Videos
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The True Cost of Cheap Clothes
Fast fashion has become a multibillion-dollar industry in recent decades, reshaping the world’s shopping habits. But the industry’s low prices disguise a staggering environmental cost.Fast fashion has become a multibillion-dollar industry in recent decades, reshaping the world’s shopping habits. But the industry’s low prices disguise a staggering environmental cost. -
Behind China's Influence in Africa
From trade to film, China's influence in Africa is nearly everywhere. Why—and at what cost?From trade to film, China's influence in Africa is nearly everywhere. Why—and at what cost? -
Coronavirus: Which Countries Are Doing Well? Which Are Falling Short?
In 2019, researchers assessed how prepared 195 countries were for a health crisis. But how have countries measured up against the real-life pandemic? Here’s how their scores last year compare to their responses today.In 2019, researchers assessed how prepared 195 countries were for a health crisis. But how have countries measured up against the real-life pandemic? Here’s how their scores last year compare to their responses today. -
Is China Being Fair on Trade?
“Made in China.” You’ve probably seen this label on your clothes, toys, and other everyday products. China’s reach has skyrocketed in recent decades, disrupting the global trading system as we know it.“Made in China.” You’ve probably seen this label on your clothes, toys, and other everyday products. China’s reach has skyrocketed in recent decades, disrupting the global trading system as we know it.
InfoGuides