How to Stop Food Weaponization, According to the Experts
Food weaponization—using control over food access, infrastructure, or supplies to achieve strategic objectives—has surged in modern conflicts, causing humanitarian crises and threatening national security. Experts highlighted recent examples in Ukraine, Gaza, and Yemen where hunger has been weaponized to destabilize populations. The Council on Foreign Relations panel outlined seven policy solutions, ranging from legal bans and transparent monitoring to diversified supply chains and strengthened humanitarian corridors. Implementing these measures could curb the use of hunger as a tool of war.
CFR Fellows' Book Launch Series: The Infinity Machine
The Council on Foreign Relations hosted a launch for Sebastian Mallaby’s new book, *The Infinity Machine*, chronicling the life of Demis Hassabis and his quest to build superintelligent AI through DeepMind. Mallaby, a seasoned author on finance and technology, frames Hassabis’s...
Are Russia and Iran Allies?
Thomas Graham, a distinguished fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, described the Russia‑Iran partnership as a "frenemies" relationship, underscored by a shared goal of sidestepping U.S. sanctions. The two nations cooperate on diplomatic, military, and economic fronts, yet persistent...
The Iran War: What’s Legal?
Former U.S. Ambassador at Large for War Crimes David Scheffer, a key architect of the International Criminal Court, breaks down five legal questions surrounding the ongoing Iran conflict. He stresses that every U.S. and allied decision must adhere to international...
The Modern Oppenheimer + Mailbag Contest Winners | The Spillover
The Spillover episode features CFR senior fellow Sebastian Mallaby discussing his new book, The Infinity Machine, while dissecting AI’s rapid evolution, especially DeepMind’s contributions and AlphaFold’s impact on drug discovery. The hosts also examine the enduring dominance of the U.S....
CFR 3/31 Religion and Foreign Policy Webinar: Faith and Democracy in Venezuela
The Council on Foreign Relations hosted a webinar titled “Faith and Democracy in Venezuela,” featuring Laura Cristina Dib of the Washington Office on Latin America and bishop‑elect Antonio Gallardo. The panel examined how Venezuelan religious groups and leaders are influencing...
The Gulf Countries Are Seeking More than a Ceasefire
Gulf states are pressing for a political settlement with Iran that goes beyond a simple ceasefire, insisting on a security guarantee and the dismantling of Tehran's missile program. Mina Al-Oraibi, editor‑in‑chief of The National, highlighted these demands on The President’s...
Fannie Mae Now Accepts Bitcoin as Mortgage Collateral
Fannie Mae announced it will accept Bitcoin and the dollar‑backed stablecoin USDC as eligible collateral for mortgage loans. The move positions the government‑sponsored enterprise as the first major GSE to formally recognize cryptocurrency assets in its underwriting guidelines. Borrowers will...
10 Best U.S. Foreign Policy Decisions: The Creation of NATO
The Council on Foreign Relations surveyed historians and identified the creation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization as one of the United States’ best foreign‑policy decisions. Formed in 1949, NATO cemented a collective defense commitment that anchored America’s post‑World War II...
Were Gulf States Surprised by Iranian Missile and Drone Attacks?
The video examines whether Gulf states were caught off‑guard by Iran’s wave of missile and drone attacks that followed a U.S. response to Israeli strikes. Tehran targeted the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, prompting the question of whether...
“I Knew I Was Going to Dedicate My Life to Fighting Russia Off” Says Cat Buchatskiy
In a candid interview, Cat Buchatskiy recounts how the Russian invasion of Ukraine in early 2022 forced her to abandon her university studies in California and return home to join the fight. Buchatskiy describes hearing Putin’s “special operation” address, the immediate...
CFR 3/23 Discussion at ISA: Strategic Frontiers in U.S. Foreign Policy: Arctic, Climate, and Space
The Council on Foreign Relations convened a panel of scholars and a senior military officer to examine three emerging frontiers of U.S. foreign policy— the Arctic, climate change, and outer space. The discussion framed these domains as zones beyond traditional...
Investors Have Tried to Withdraw $10 Billion From Private Credit in 2026—What’s Next?
The video examines a wave of $10 billion redemption requests from investors seeking to pull money out of private‑credit funds in the first quarter of 2026, highlighting a liquidity strain in an asset class that now totals roughly $1.5‑$3 trillion. While the $10 bn...
Private Credit's Black Box + Why It's Not 2008 (But Still Risky) | The Spillover
The private‑credit market has ballooned to roughly $1.5 trillion, yet its opacity is raising alarm as $10 billion in redemption requests hit major funds in Q1 2026. Hosts Sebastian Mallaby and Rebecca Patterson highlight liquidity mismatches, redemption gates, and growing retail exposure as...
Ukraine’s Battlefield Hacks: Jet Skis, Drones, and Parts From Alibaba
Ukraine is turning everyday items into weapons, from jet skis rigged with explosives to drones built with cheap components. Former drone pilot Cat Buchatskiy explains how volunteers repurpose civilian tech, sourcing parts on Alibaba to create low‑cost UAVs that strike...
