CFR On the Record
A chance to go inside Council on Foreign Relations events. Listen to world leaders and foreign policy experts discuss and debate the most pressing issues in international affairs.
Council on Foreign Relations
Show overview
CFR On the Record launched in 2025 and has put out 47 episodes in the time since. That works out to roughly 45 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a weekly cadence.
Episodes typically run an hour to ninety minutes — most land between 58 min and 1h 2m — and the run-time is fairly consistent across the catalogue. None of the episodes are flagged explicit by the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-language Government & Organizations show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 3 days ago, with 28 episodes already out so far this year. Published by Council on Foreign Relations.
From the publisher
A chance to go inside Council on Foreign Relations events. Listen to world leaders and foreign policy experts discuss and debate the most pressing issues in international affairs.
Latest Episodes
View all 47 episodesFrom the Archives: Alan Greenspan on the U.S. Economy in 2015
On AI, Quantum, and the Future of American Science
On U.S. Democracy, Belonging, and Power
On the Iran War’s Global Economic Effects
On U.S. Trade Policy with Jamieson Greer
On the Future of American Power
On the Iran War’s Economic Impact in Asia
On Europe’s Response to the Iran War
On U.S. Policy Options in War with Iran
Rafael M. Grossi on Nuclear Challenges and the Future of the United Nations
On Rethinking Humanitarian Partnerships in an Age of Crisis
Odd Lots Live at CFR: On How European Industry Is Getting Crushed
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 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: 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 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 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 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 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 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: 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 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
On 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 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 U.S. Vision for Ukraine
On 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 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: International Economics With John C. Williams
On 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) 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 Grand Strategy of Resolute Global Leadership