On the Record

By Council on Foreign RelationsNews

On the Record episodes

April 10 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
49 min
April 03 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
59 min
March 27 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
1 hr 1 min
March 20On 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
1 hr 11 min
March 13On 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
1 hr 14 min
March 06On 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

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: A Conversation with Elbridge Colby
1 hr 1 min
February 27On the U.S. Vision for Ukraine
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

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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 U.S. Vision for Ukraine
33 min
February 20On International Economics
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

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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: International Economics With John C. Williams
1 hr 1 min
February 13On America’s Grand Strategy for the Future of Global Leadership
In this episode, experts discuss the new Council Special Report, America Revived: A Grand Strategy of Resolute Global Leadership, which defines U.S. vital national interests, summarizes the history of U.S. grand strategy, and proposes an alternative that combines military strength with international legitimacy.

Background Reading:
This report outlines the conceptual pillars of five grand strategy schools and proposes a sixth based around resolute global leadership.

Host: Suzanne Nossel, Lester Crown Senior Fellow on U.S. Foreign Policy and International Order, Chicago Council on Global Affairs

Guests: Robert D. Blackwill, Henry A. Kissinger Senior Fellow for U.S. Foreign Policy, Council on Foreign Relations; Author, Council Special Report, America Revived: A Grand Strategy of Resolute Global Leadership

Thomas A. Shannon, Jr., Senior International Policy Advisor, Arnold & Porter; Former U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (2016–18)

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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 Grand Strategy of Resolute Global Leadership
1 hr
February 06On Sudan’s Humanitarian Emergency
Since civil war erupted on April 15, 2023, between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, Sudan has become the site of the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. More than ten million people have been displaced, over half of the population needs humanitarian assistance, and over 750,000 people are facing catastrophic levels of hunger. In this episode, experts discuss ongoing humanitarian efforts, the challenges faced by aid workers, and potential solutions to mitigate the worsening crisis in Sudan.

Background Reading:
This article discusses Sudan’s devastating humanitarian crisis and how it’s not getting the international attention it deserves.

Host: Michelle Gavin, Ralph Bunche Senior Fellow for Africa Policy Studies, Council on Foreign Relations

Guests: Kholood Khair, Political Analyst; Researcher; Founding Director, Confluence Advisory

Kate Almquist Knopf, Senior Advisor, WestExec Advisors; former Assistant Administrator for Africa, U.S. Agency for International Development

Susan Stigant, Director of Africa Programs, U.S. Institute of Peace

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 Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan
1 hr 2 min

About On the Record

From the publisher's feed

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