On the Record

A curated selection of thought-provoking events from the Council on Foreign Relations, featuring expert panels, keynote conversations, and global policy discussions.

Episodes

3 days ago

1 hr 4 min

In this episode, panelists examine China’s efforts to reduce its dependence on the U.S. dollar and build alternatives to the dollar-centered international financial system. Experts also assess the progress and limits of these efforts—including the internationalization of the renminbi, the development of alternative payment systems, and China’s growing financial ties with emerging markets—and what they mean for the future of U.S. financial power.
 
Host: Edward Fishman, Senior Fellow and Director of the Maurice R. Greenberg Center for Geoeconomics, Council on Foreign Relations
 
Guests: Martin Chorzempa, Dennis Weatherstone Senior Fellow, Peterson Institute for International Economics; CFR Term Member
 
Robert Greene, Partner and Chief Operating Officer, Patomak Global Partners; Nonresident Scholar, Asia Program and Technology and International Affairs Program, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
 
Jess Hoversen, Chief Economist, Column; Nonresident Senior Fellow, GeoEconomics Center, Atlantic Council
 
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/events. To watch this event, please visit CFR’s YouTube channel:China's Challenge to the U.S. Dolla

3 days ago

1 hr 4 min

Oct 30, 2026

1 hr 15 sec

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

Oct 30, 2026

1 hr 15 sec

Oct 23, 2026

1 hr 16 min

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
 
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/events. To watch this event, please visit CFR’s YouTube channel: American Energy Strategy Post-Hormuz
 

Oct 23, 2026

1 hr 16 min

Oct 16, 2026

1 hr 3 sec

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
 
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: CFR 2/26 Religion and Foreign Policy Webinar: Combating Human Trafficking

Oct 16, 2026

1 hr 3 sec

Oct 9, 2026

46 min

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
 
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 President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana

Oct 9, 2026

46 min

Oct 6, 2026

1 hr 56 sec

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

Oct 6, 2026

1 hr 56 sec

Oct 2, 2026

51 min

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
 
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 it on our YouTube channel: A Conversation With President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi of Somaliland

Oct 2, 2026

51 min

Sep 25, 2026

47 min

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
 
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 it on our YouTube channel: A Conversation with Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados.

Sep 25, 2026

47 min

Sep 24, 2026

1 hr 24 sec

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
 
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 it on our YouTube channel: A Conversation With Tony Elumelu.

Sep 24, 2026

1 hr 24 sec

Sep 18, 2026

1 hr 4 min

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

Sep 18, 2026

1 hr 4 min

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