Best Internationalrelations Podcasts (2026)

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On Forecasting Humanitarian Risk for 2026 1:01:31

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5d ago1:01:31

1:01:31

In this episode, David Miliband, president and chief executive officer of the International Rescue Committee, discusses the new IRC Emergency Watchlist report. The report highlights the countries at highest risk of humanitarian crisis in 2026, and evaluates the international community’s progress and shortcomings. Background Reading: This article di…

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On Presidential Leadership and Moral Responsibility 57:47

12d ago57:47

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In this episode, panelists discuss examples of U.S. presidents leveraging executive power to confront political violence, human rights abuses, and other global challenges, highlighting the ways in which presidential leadership has shaped the United States’ legacy of responsibility. Host: Jacob M. Weisberg, Executive Chair, Pushkin Industries; Chair…

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2025 China-Africa Year in Review 1:02:26

12d ago1:02:26

1:02:26

In this special year-end edition of The China in Africa Podcast, Eric, Cobus, and Géraud look back on the top stories of 2025 and look ahead to the key trend to watch in 2026. 📌 Topics covered include: Simandou goes online (Guinea) and the iron ore geopolitics shift Zambia's Kafue River spill and the China narrative battle China's manufacturing pus…

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U.S. Agricultural Policy Outlook

15d ago

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Joseph Glauber, senior research fellow at the International Food Policy Research Institute, discusses the economic impacts of federal policies on U.S. agriculture and international commodity markets.

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President Bill Clinton on U.S. Foreign Policy 1:01:46

19d ago1:01:46

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In this episode, former U.S. President Bill Clinton looks back on critical issues in U.S. foreign policy during his presidency, and shares lessons for sustaining American diplomatic engagement abroad. His remarks were delivered as part of the inaugural Martin S. Indyk Memorial Lecture, held in collaboration with the Clinton Global Initiative. Host:…

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China's Outsized Role in West Africa's Illegal Resource Trade 52:49

20d ago52:49

52:49

Every year, illegal mining, fishing, and logging drain billions of dollars from West Africa's economies as the problem persists largely unchecked, with Chinese actors playing an outsized role. Fueled by chronic corruption among local regulators across the region and seemingly insatiable demand for these resources in China, curtailing these illegal …

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On Innovation at the National Institutes of Health 1:00:15

25d ago1:00:15

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In this episode, Director of the National Institutes of Health Jay Bhattacharya discusses the latest developments in biomedical innovation and how they will shape the future of public health research. Background Reading: This CFR event discusses emerging threats to public health and how journalists are covering new outbreaks across the United State…

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China's Role in Africa's Industrialization: Obstacle, Partner, or Both? 1:05:33

27d ago1:05:33

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Africa's industrialization push is colliding with the defining economic question of this era: how can any country or region climb the manufacturing value chain so long as China dominates industrial production of pretty much, well, everything? But even if overcoming the China question is possible, African leaders then face a second, more daunting ob…

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Reporting on U.S. Agriculture Policy

26d ago

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Media Briefing: The Future of U.S. Chip Controls in the Global Tech Race

29d ago

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CFR experts discuss President Donald Trump’s approval of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) chip sales to China and what that decision means for the future of AI, national security, and U.S.-China relations. The recording and transcript of this meeting will be posted on the CFR website.

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Why the U.S.-DRC Mining Deal is Bad News For China 58:58

1M ago58:58

58:58

The U.S. and the DR Congo signed a landmark deal on critical minerals during President Félix Tshisekedi's visit to the White House this week. The pact provides the U.S. with extraordinary access to the Congolese mining sector and is widely expected to inhibit Chinese mining companies in the DRC from expanding their operations. CGSP Africa Editor Gé…

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Sudan’s Humanitarian Emergency

1M ago

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Panelists discuss the status of the conflict in Sudan, including the deteriorating condition of civilians, the prospect for regional stability, and the options for an international response.This is a virtual meeting through Zoom. Log-in information and instructions on how to participate during the question-and-answer portion will be provided the ev…

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Media Briefing: Understanding President Trump’s National Security Strategy

1M ago

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CFR experts discuss the Trump administration’s new National Security Strategy released on December 4 and what it means for the future of U.S. security.Before the event, read CFR experts’ breakdown of the document.The video and transcript of this meeting will be posted on the CFR website.Please join the Zoom event at least five minutes before the st…

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On Governing the Rules of AI 56:11

1M ago56:11

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In this episode, experts discuss the geopolitical implications of transformative technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), including how decision-makers are navigating governance, balancing innovation with risk, and addressing questions of equity and accountability. Background Reading: This article assesses whether AI investments have contrib…

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Silberstein Lecture: Immigration Policy and the U.S. Economy

1M ago

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Panelists discuss the impact of recent refugee and immigration policy developments on the U.S. economy. The

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On a Ukraine–Russia Peace Deal 1:01:27

1M ago1:01:27

1:01:27

Since President Trump first introduced a proposal to end the war in Ukraine, revisions from both sides have led to disagreement, diminishing hopes for a lasting peace. Experts are now examining the recent meeting between Ukrainian and U.S. officials in Miami, where efforts were made to finalize a peace plan for presentation to Moscow, as well as th…

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Religion and Foreign Policy Webinar: The Russian Orthodox Church in Global Affairs

1M ago

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Sergei Chapnin, director of communications at Fordham University's Orthodox Christian Studies Center; Katherine Kelaidis, director of research and content at the National Hellenic Museum; and Andreja Bogdanovski, freelance journalist and analyst, will discuss the role of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) in global affairs. Timothy Snyder, senior fe…

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On Espionage and Intelligence Gathering 57:07

1M ago57:07

57:07

Intelligence experts discuss the new frontiers of intelligence gathering, examining how emerging technologies are transforming espionage and reshaping the future of U.S. national security. Background Reading: This article outlines how growing politicization within the intelligence community threatens the integrity of intelligence assessments and en…

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China at COP30 and the New Politics of Climate Change 48:54

1M ago48:54

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With the U.S. absent from two major international summits this month, the G20 in South Africa and the COP30 in Brazil, we got an early look at what the post-American order is starting to look like. In both instances, China moved to fill the void left by the U.S., taking on a much more prominent role. Anika Patel, China analyst at the non-profit cli…

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Episode 2: The AI Impact 39:11

1M ago39:11

39:11

Nick & Tristan discuss the impact of AI on society

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Virtual Meeting: The State of Play in Ukraine

1M ago

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Efforts to end the war in Ukraine gained momentum in recent days as a result of newly developed peace plans. CFR fellows discuss the current state of play and prospects for peace in Ukraine.This meeting is part of the Council’s Special Initiative on Securing Ukraine’s Future and the Wachenheim Program on Peace and Security, which are made possible …

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How China Uses Parliamentary Buildings to Build Influence in Africa 41:39

1M ago41:39

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China has funded, designed, and built more than 200 government buildings across Africa, including the headquarters of the African Union and Ecowas, foreign ministry annexes in Ghana and Kenya, and at least 15 national parliaments. Eric and Cobus speak with Innocent Batsani-Ncube, an associate professor of African politics at Queen Mary University o…

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On U.S. Economic Security and Competition 1:08:47

2M ago1:08:47

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Today, U.S. economic leadership is at a crossroads. An overconcentration of critical supply chains in China, underinvestment in important sectors at home, and strategic competition over the next generation of foundational technologies has exposed vulnerabilities in U.S. economic security. In its new report, U.S. Economic Security: Winning the Race …

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Chinese Nationals' Role in Africa's Illicit Weapons, Mining, and Money Flows 54:37

2M ago54:37

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There's mounting evidence from the United Nations and others that Chinese organized crime syndicates are moving more of their operations from countries in Southeast Asia to Africa. These groups are contributing to a surge in illicit crypto mining, scam centers, illegal wildlife trafficking, and black market weapons sales. African countries with alr…

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What’s Next for the Global Gen Z Uprisings?

2M ago

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Panelists discuss how youth-driven protest movements are shaping global political change and examine how these movements work to sustain momentum after major political transitions.

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A Conversation With Jay Bhattacharya of the National Institutes of Health

2M ago

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Director of the National Institutes of Health Jay Bhattacharya discusses the latest developments in biomedical innovation and how they will shape the future of public health research.If you wish to attend virtually, log-in information and instructions on how to participate during the question-and-answer portion will be provided the evening before t…

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Martin S. Indyk Memorial Lecture: A Conversation With President Bill Clinton

2M ago

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The Martin S. Indyk Memorial Lecture was established by CFR to honor Ambassador Martin S. Indyk’s legacy of public service, scholarship, and institution building, and to recognize his ideas and contributions that shaped U.S.-Middle East policy for decades. Ambassador Indyk was a CFR distinguished fellow and former U.S. ambassador to Israel. The lec…

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A Conversation With João Cravinho, EU Special Representative for the Sahel Region

2M ago

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From the ongoing spill-over of the conflict in Sudan into Chad to the resurgence of military coups in countries such as Niger and Burkina Faso, and to the democratic election in Senegal, the Sahel region of Africa has remained in the news.The EU Special Representative for the Sahel Region discusses the forces shaping the region’s sociopolitical and…

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On COP30 and the Future of Climate Negotiations 52:49

2M ago52:49

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As leaders gather in Brazil to discuss international climate policy at this year’s COP30 summit, major questions remain regarding a warming climate and investments in renewable energy. In this conversation, experts discuss the future of global climate negotiations and reflect on lessons learned from past climate diplomacy, including the legacy of t…

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Is China's "Engineering State" the New Development Model for the Global South? 40:59

2M ago40:59

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China's rapid ascent from rural poverty to industrial superpower reshaped the global economy and established a new center of gravity for manufacturing. Today, Chinese factories anchor much of the world's supply chains, producing goods at a speed and scale that few countries can match. Behind this transformation is a system that author Dan Wang desc…

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Reckoning with History: Presidential Leadership and Moral Responsibility

2M ago

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Panelists discuss how U.S. presidents have leveraged executive power to confront political violence, human rights abuses, and other global challenges, highlighting the ways presidential leadership has shaped America’s legacy of responsibility, reconciliation, and transitional justice.Please note there is no virtual component to the meeting.…

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Why China's Ability to Make a $6 Toaster is a Big Problem for the Global South 22:23

2M ago22:23

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China is breaking the rules of development. Typically, as countries progress up the value chain, they transition from agriculture to light industry, then to heavy industry, and ultimately to high-technology and services. And as they move up the value chain, this creates opportunities for less-developed countries to advance. But China's not doing th…

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The Post-COP30 World of Energy Technology, Competition, and Cooperation to Address the Climate Crisis

2M ago

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Former U.S. Secretary of State and former U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry discusses the state of global and U.S. climate policy, the opportunities and challenges of advancing energy innovation, and the potential for economic growth through clean technology leadership.For those attending virtually, log-in information and instr…

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How China Changed Its Image in the African News Media 39:28

2M ago39:28

39:28

Ten years ago, African news coverage of China's engagement on the continent was often quite negative and repackaged many of the critical Western narratives. Today, the situation is very different. China has spent considerable resources cultivating closer ties with African news outlets. Through a combination of journalist junkets, so-called "content…

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Forecasting Humanitarian Risk in 2026: A Conversation With David Miliband

2M ago

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David Miliband, president and chief executive officer of the International Rescue Committee (IRC), presents the new IRC Emergency Watchlist report, highlighting the countries at highest risk of humanitarian crises in 2026 and examining where the international community has made progress or fallen short.For those attending virtually, log-in informat…

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On the Rise of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases 1:02:49

2M ago1:02:49

1:02:49

Measles, whooping cough, and other vaccine-preventable diseases are on the rise around the world. Cuts to foreign aid, coupled with growing vaccine hesitancy, and persistent gaps in vaccine access are fueling outbreaks in poor and wealthy nations alike. In this conversation, global health experts discuss the drivers of these outbreaks and the solut…

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The Rules of AI: Governing Technology in a Geopolitical Age

2M ago

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Panelists discuss the geopolitical implications of transformative technologies like artificial intelligence, including how decision-makers are navigating governance, balancing innovation with risk, and addressing questions of equity and accountability.

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Science Fair Series: Demystifying Quantum

2M ago

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Quantum technologies are redefining the landscape of science and policy. National leading experts Spyridon Michalakis and Gorjan Alagic explore the foundations of this emerging field and its implications for innovation, security, and global governance. All members, science experts or not, are welcome to join this session.For those attending virtual…

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China's Evolution from "Rules Taker" to "Rules Maker" in Development Finance 40:25

2M ago40:25

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As China's economic influence expands, so does its ambition to shape the very system that once constrained it. In this episode of The China-Global South Podcast, Eric speaks with Greg Chin and Kevin Gallagher from Boston University's Global Development Policy Center about their new book that details China's transformation from a "rules taker" withi…