What to Do About... | Council on Foreign Relations

What to Do About Saudi Arabia

In the wake of recent geopolitical and economic upheavals in Saudi Arabia, please join our panelists as they discuss how U.S.-Saudi relations should move forward, as well as what Saudi Arabia's future means for the greater Middle East and its Western allies.

Event with Karen Elliott House, Robert W. Jordan, Aaron David Miller and Tamara Cofman Wittes February 22, 2019 What to Do About...

Syria

Northern Syria: The United States, Turkey, and the Kurds

Panelists discuss the ongoing conflict in Northern Syria and how the United States should handle its relationships with the affected parties, including Turkey and the Kurds.

Event with Henri J. Barkey, Max Hoffman, Gayle Tzemach Lemmon, Amanda Sloat and Douglas Ollivant June 5, 2018 What to Do About...

Venezuela

Volatile Venezuela: What to Do About the Crisis

Venezuela is in the midst of an unprecedented economic and political crisis. During this event, panelists discuss the effects of this turmoil on the region, current U.S. and international policy towards Venezuela, and possible options to address the growing crisis.

Event with William Brownfield, Shannon K. O'Neil, Brad W. Setser and Jose W. Fernandez April 4, 2018 What to Do About...

Afghanistan

U.S. Strategy in Afghanistan and Pakistan

Panelists discuss current U.S. policy toward Afghanistan and Pakistan and explore other possible military and diplomatic options to address the ongoing conflict.

Event with Courtney Cooper, Ronald E. Neumann, David S. Sedney and James Shinn March 12, 2018 What to Do About...

Yemen

Yemen: A Country in Crisis

The What to Do About... series highlights a specific issue and features experts who will put forward competing analyses and policy prescriptions in a mock high-level U.S. government meeting.

Event with Gerald M. Feierstein, Stephen Seche and Ellen Laipson December 12, 2017 What to Do About...

Syria

Syria: Are There Any Steps Forward?

Experts discuss U.S. policy options toward Syria including military intervention, prioritizing the fight against ISIS, cooperation with Russia, and responding to chemical attacks from the Assad government.

Event with Kimberly Kagan, Paul R. Pillar, Mona Yacoubian and Douglas A. Ollivant June 6, 2017 What to Do About...

North Korea

The Rising Threat of a Nuclear North Korea

Experts discuss U.S. policy options toward North Korea.

Event with Sue Mi Terry, Mary Beth Long, Robert L. Gallucci and Mitchel B. Wallerstein March 13, 2017 What to Do About...

United States

The Uncertain Future of U.S. Trade Policy

Experts discuss the economic and political challenges facing U.S. trade policy, how to proceed in the current political climate, and policy options for the future direction of U.S. trade.

Event with Edward Alden, Barney Frank, Charlene Barshefsky and Diana Farrell March 6, 2017 What to Do About...

Russia

Russia: Rival or Partner, or Both?

Experts discuss U.S. policy options toward Russia including continued sanctions, possible cooperation with Russia in Syria, and responding to increased tensions surrounding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Event with Charles A. Kupchan, Stephen Sestanovich, Angela E. Stent and Evelyn N. Farkas February 27, 2017 What to Do About...

Venezuela

HBO What to Do About Venezuela

Experts discuss U.S. policy options toward Venezuela in response to food and medicine shortages, soaring crime rates, declining oil production, and a government crackdown on the opposition.

Event with Matthew M. Taylor, Roger Francisco Noriega, Patrick Dennis Duddy and Diana V. Negroponte October 27, 2016 What to Do About...

Turkey

What to Do About Turkey

Experts assess Turkey's relations with its neighbors, as well as its handling of the migrant crisis, and offer U.S. policy options moving forward.

Event with James F. Jeffrey, Melissa Dalton and Thomas R. Pickering April 27, 2016 What to Do About...

Afghanistan

HBO What To Do About Afghanistan

Experts assess the current situation in Afghanistan, analyze U.S. involvement, and offer policy options moving forward.

Event with James B. Cunningham, Mary Beth Long, John R. Allen and Marc Grossman February 29, 2016 What to Do About...

Syria

HBO What to Do About Syria

Experts analyze the current situation in the Middle East and discuss U.S. policy options toward Syria.

Event with Philip H. Gordon, Michael S. Doran, Paul R. Pillar and Richard Haass January 5, 2016 What to Do About...

Diplomacy and International Institutions

HBO What to Do About Russia

Experts discuss U.S. foreign policy options toward Russia.

Event with Kimberly Marten, Ivo H. Daalder, Heidi Crebo-Rediker and Richard Haass December 8, 2015 What to Do About...

Global

HBO What to Do About Cyberattacks

Experts discuss possible policy approaches toward cyberattacks.

Event with Adam Segal, Eli Dourado, General Michael V. Hayden and Frances Fragos Townsend October 6, 2015 What to Do About...

United States

What to Do About U.S. Infrastructure

Experts discuss challenges to U.S. infrastructure.

Event with Kurt J. Nagle, John Porcari, Heidi Crebo-Rediker and Neal S. Wolin June 24, 2015 What to Do About...

North Korea

What to Do About North Korea

Experts discuss U.S. foreign policy options toward North Korea.

Event with Scott A. Snyder, Christopher R. Hill and Burwell B. Bell III June 12, 2015 What to Do About...

Middle East and North Africa

What to Do About The Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process

Experts evaluate U.S. policy options in approaching the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

Event with Richard Haass May 18, 2015 What to Do About...

Middle East and North Africa

What to Do About ISIS

Experts discuss the Islamic State group and possible U.S. options in responding to the crisis in Iraq and Syria.

Event with Max Boot, Audrey Kurth Cronin, Janine Davidson and Michael Allen March 31, 2015 What to Do About...

India

What to Do About U.S.-India Relations

Experts discuss U.S.-India relations, and the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

Event with Robert D. Blackwill, Stephen P. Cohen, Alyssa Ayres and John D. Negroponte February 4, 2015 What to Do About...

Iraq

What to Do About Iraq

Experts discuss latest developments in Iraq and options for dealing with them.

Event with Stephen Biddle, Max Boot, Meghan L. O'Sullivan and Richard Haass June 18, 2014 What to Do About...

Russia

What to Do About Russia and Ukraine

Karen E. Donfried of the German Marshall Fund and CFR Fellows Robert Kahn and Stephen Sestanovich join CFR President Richard N. Haass to discuss the crisis in Ukraine and its implications for U.S. foreign policy.

Event with Stephen Sestanovich, Karen Donfried, Robert Kahn and Richard Haass June 9, 2014 What to Do About...

Syria

What to Do About Syria

More than three years after the start of the Syrian civil war, debates continue about what role, if any, the United States should play in the conflict. Ryan C. Crocker of Texas A&M, Freedom House's Charles W. Dunne, and Paul R. Pillar of Georgetown University join CFR President Richard N. Haass to outline the courses of action available to the United States and debate whether U.S. intervention would be desirable or effective.

Event with Paul R. Pillar, Charles W. Dunne, Ryan C. Crocker and Richard Haass May 1, 2014 What to Do About...

Global

What to Do About Guantanamo Bay

Despite President Obama's stated goal of closing the prison at Guantanamo Bay, it continues to hold dozens of detainees. Phillip Carter of the Center for a New American Security, Marc A. Thiessen of the American Enterprise Institute, and CFR's Matthew C. Waxman join CFR President Richard N. Haass to discuss the costs, benefits, and risks of keeping Guantanamo open.

Event with Marc A. Thiessen, Matthew C. Waxman, Phillip Carter and Richard Haass April 22, 2014 What to Do About...