On the Record

On Europe’s Response to the Iran War

In this episode, panelists discuss European responses to the war in Iran, efforts in conflict resolution, and the implications for the transatlantic relationship, EU cohesion, and Europe’s long-term strategic direction.
 
Host: Serge Schmemann, Editorial Writer, New York Times; CFR Member
 
Guests: Alexandra de Hoop Scheffer, Chief Executive Officer and President, German Marshall Fund of the United States
 
Douglas E. Lute, Chair, International and Defense Practices, BGR Group; Former U.S. Ambassador to NATO (2013-17); CFR Member
 
Ellie Geranmayeh, Deputy Director, Middle East and North Africa Programme and Senior Policy Fellow, European Council on Foreign Relations
 
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To keep tabs on all CFR events, visit cfr.org/event. To watch this event, please visit it on our YouTube channel: Europe’s Response to the Iran War

On U.S. Policy Options in War with Iran

In this episode, panelists assess the evolving situation in Iran, identify U.S. policy options for ending the conflict, and examine the implications of each potential next step.
 
Host: Janine Zacharia, Carlos Kelly McClatchy Lecturer, Stanford University; CFR Member
Guests: Brian H. Hook, Vice Chairman, Cerberus Global Investments, LP; Former U.S. Special Representative for Iran and Senior Policy Advisor to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (2018– 2020)
 
Michele Flournoy, Cofounder and Managing Partner, WestExec Advisors; Former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy (2009– 2011); Member, Board of Directors, CFR
 
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To keep tabs on all CFR events, visit cfr.org/event. To watch this event, please visit it on our YouTube channel: U.S. Policy Options in the War with Iran

Rafael M. Grossi on Nuclear Challenges and the Future of the United Nations

In this episode, International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael M. Grossi discusses his candidacy for UN secretary-general, his plans and priorities for the future of the United Nations, and the challenges facing nuclear security, nuclear energy, and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty regime.
 
Host: Esther Brimmer, James H. Binger Senior Fellow in Global Governance, Council on Foreign Relations
 
Guests: Rafael M. Grossi, Director General, International Atomic Energy Agency; Nominee, Position of UN Secretary-General
 
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To keep tabs on all CFR events, visit cfr.org/event. To watch this event, please visit it on our YouTube channel: 2026 UN Secretary-General Candidates Series: A Conversation With Rafael M. Grossi

On Rethinking Humanitarian Partnerships in an Age of Crisis

In this episode, panelists examine how multilateral partnerships, innovative approaches, and strengthened financing can scale recovery and humanitarian efforts, enhance inclusion, and deliver durable outcomes for crisis-affected communities.
 
Host: Shannon K. O'Neil, Senior Vice President of Studies and Maurice R. Greenberg Chair, CFR
 
Guests: Reem Alabali Radovan, Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Germany
 
Hanin Sayyed, Minister of Social Affairs of Lebanon
 
David Miliband, President and Chief Executive Officer, International Rescue Committee; Former Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, United Kingdom
 
Dr. Rajiv J. Shah, President, The Rockefeller Foundation; Former Administrator, U.S. Agency for International Development; CFR Member
  
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To keep tabs on all CFR events, visit cfr.org/event. To watch this event, please visit it on our YouTube channel: Delivering at the Frontline: Scaling Support for Fragile and Conflict-Affected States

Odd Lots Live at CFR: On How European Industry Is Getting Crushed

In this episode, former Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo discusses her view that European industry is being hollowed out by China and that the only path forward is a unified global trading bloc excluding China—an idea she said is being thwarted by the Trump administration. The episode also covers the legacy of the CHIPS Act and Raimondo’s fears that artificial intelligence could create mass unemployment and destabilize democracy.Host: Joe Weisenthal, Odd Lots Co-host, Bloomberg
 
Host: Tracy Alloway, Odd Lots Co-host, Bloomberg
 
Guest: Gina M. Raimondo, Distinguished Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations; Former U.S. Secretary of Commerce
 
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To keep tabs on all CFR events, visit cfr.org/event. To watch this event, please visit it on our YouTube channel: U.S.-China Relations and the Global Economy

On U.S.-China Relations and the Global Economy

In this episode, panelists discuss the implications of U.S.-China relations on the international economy, including how tariff negotiations, supply chain restructuring, and technological competition effect global business. 
 
Host: Michael Froman, President, Council on Foreign Relations
 
Guests: Albert Bourla, Chairman and Chief Executive Office, Pfizer, Inc; CFR Member 
 
Gina M. Raimondo, Distinguished Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations
 
Geoff Martha, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Medtronic, Inc. 
 
John E. Waldron, President and Chief Operating Officer, The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.; CFR Member
 
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To keep tabs on all CFR events, visit cfr.org/event. To watch this event, please visit it on our YouTube channel: U.S.-China Relations and the Global Economy

Anwar Gargash on the Iran War and the Challenges It Presents to Gulf States

In this episode, Dr. Anwar Gargash, diplomatic advisor to the president of the United Arab Emirates, discusses the rapidly evolving conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States and its implications for the Middle East, including the diplomatic and security challenges facing Gulf states.
 
Host: Ethan Bronner, Israel Bureau Chief and Senior Editor, Bloomberg; CFR Member
 
Guests: Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Advisor to the President, United Arab Emirates
 
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To keep tabs on all CFR events, visit cfr.org/event. To watch this event, please visit it on our YouTube channel: A Conversation with Anwar Gargash

On the Iran War’s Economic Fallout

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
 
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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

On the U.S.-Israeli 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
 
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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

On U.S. National Defense Strategy

In this episode, Under Secretary of War for Policy Elbridge Colby discusses the U.S. National Defense Strategy under the Donald Trump administration.
 
Background Reading:
In this article, seven CFR experts consider the implications of the National Security Strategy document released on December 5, 2025, by the Trump administration. 
Host: Michael Froman, President, Council on Foreign Relations
 
Guests: Elbridge A. Colby, Under Secretary of War for Policy, U.S. Department of War; CFR Member
 
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To keep tabs on all CFR events, visit cfr.org/event. To watch this event, please visit it on our YouTube channel: A Conversation with Elbridge Colby