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Articles by Will Merrow
Vaccine Skepticism Has Risen in the U.S.—And in Many Other Countries
Decades of Immunization Progress Under Strain Growing distrust in vaccines casts a shadow over what has otherwise been a story of global public health success: a decades-long convergence toward higher immunization coverage across both higher- and lower-income regions, driven by sustained international coordination and financing—with the United States among the largest contributors through the World Health Organization (WHO), Gavi, and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
Kharg Island: Iran’s Oil Hub That Trump Keeps Threatening to Take
Kharg Island, a small coral island in the northern Persian Gulf responsible for handling approximately 90 percent of Iran’s crude oil exports, has become a flash point in the United States and Israel’s widening conflict in Iran. President Donald Trump issued a threat on June 11 that the United States intended to hit Iran “VERY HARD” later that night and seize Iran’s energy base on Kharg Island as part of that effort.
What are Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities?
Israel Defense Forces said June 21, 2025, that this video shows the result of its strikes on Iran's nuclear site at Isfahan. (IDF video) By Mariel Ferragamo, Jonathan Masters and Will Merrow • Feb 09, 2026 Many foreign policy experts warn that if Iran were to acquire nuclear weapons, it would be broadly destabilizing for the Middle East and nearby regions.
What Are Iran’s Nuclear and Missile Capabilities?
Many foreign policy experts warn that if Iran were to acquire nuclear weapons, it would be broadly destabilizing for the Middle East and nearby regions. A first-order concern is that Iran’s possession of nuclear weapons would pose a major, perhaps existential threat to Israel—a worry that drove Israel to launch a full-scale attack on Iran’s nuclear and military facilities in June 2025.
Mapping the U.S. Military Buildup Near Venezuela
U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent call with Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro—during which Trump reportedly pressed Maduro to step down—follows a substantial increase in the U.S. military’s presence in the Caribbean Sea. The United States has positioned military assets that could potentially support an invasion of Venezuela, though it remains unclear whether the Trump administration is considering such a move.
PODCAST | The President's Inbox: Confronting the China Challenge, With Dmitri Alperovitch
Expand Transcript LINDSAY: Welcome to The President's Inbox. I'm Jim Lindsay, the Mary and David Boies Distinguished Senior fellow in U.S. Foreign Policy at the Council on Foreign Relations. This week's topic is Confronting the China Challenge. With me to discuss the geopolitical rivalry between China and the United States, its impact on U.S. interests, and how the United States should respond is Dmitri Alperovitch.
U.S. Forces in the Middle East: Mapping the Military Presence
The United States maintains a considerable military presence in the Middle East, with forces in more than a dozen countries and on ships throughout the region’s waters. That presence expanded in 2024 as the United States focused on deterring and defeating threats from Iran and its network of armed affiliates in the region, including Hamas (Gaza Strip), Hezbollah (Lebanon), the Houthis (Yemen), and several Iraq- and Syria-based militant groups.
Here’s How Countries Are Retaliating Against Trump’s Tariffs
In response to the Donald Trump administration’s second-term tariffs, Canada, China, Mexico, and the European Union (EU)—the United States’ largest trade partners—have announced or threatened retaliatory tariffs. How do retaliatory tariffs work? More From Our Experts A tariff is a tax on foreign-made goods, which makes them more expensive to import.
Don’t Gut USAID
Last week, the Trump administration ignited a firestorm when it issued a stop-work order for most U.S. foreign aid programs and announced that it would permanently close all 80 field missions of the U.S. Agency for International Development, the U.S. government’s primary aid agency, which I led from 2001 to 2006.
How Tariffs Work: Consider the Avocado
1 hour ago Why the new cover of Time magazine is likely to get Trump’s attention Exactly eight years ago this week, Steve Bannon appeared on Time magazine's cover, and he departed the White House soon after. Is it Elon Musk's turn? … 10 hours ago How Europe can outsmart Trump's tariffs As Europe waits for US President Donald Trump’s tariffs, the European Union does not necessarily need to lie down and take it.
Guac Shock: Understanding Tariffs With Avocados
Tariffs are a tax on foreign-made goods. When the United States imposes tariffs on another country, it means that U.S. businesses and consumers must pay a tax to the U.S. government whenever they import products from that country. As part of the Donald Trump administration’s planned tariffs, U.S. businesses and consumers will pay a tax whenever they buy goods from Canada, China, or Mexico. Let’s use the price of an avocado to see how this works in practice.
How Tariffs Work: Consider the Avocado
Tariffs are a tax on foreign-made goods. When the United States imposes tariffs on another country, it means that U.S. businesses and consumers must pay a tax to the U.S. government whenever they import products from that country. As part of the Donald Trump administration’s planned tariffs, U.S. businesses and consumers will pay a tax whenever they buy goods from Canada, China, or Mexico. Let’s use the price of an avocado to see how this works in practice.
Where Trump’s Tariffs on China, Mexico and Canada Would Hurt Most
On Feb. 4, President Donald Trump imposed 10% tariffs on China after reaching last-minute agreements with Canada and Mexico to delay 25% tariffs on them by 30 days. Trump’s tariffs on Chinese imports come as punishment for Beijing’s failure to rein in the smuggling of fentanyl precursor chemicals, while the stay on tariffs for Ottawa and Mexico City comes after both countries promised greater cooperation on combatting drug smuggling.
What Are Iran’s Nuclear and Missile Capabilities?
Introduction Many foreign policy experts warn that if Iran were to acquire nuclear weapons, it would be broadly destabilizing for the Middle East and nearby regions. A first-order concern is that Iran’s possession of nuclear weapons would pose a major, perhaps existential threat to Israel, its longtime foe.
U.S. Military Support for Taiwan in Five Charts
The United States has been arming Taiwan since the mid-twentieth century, a trend which has increasingly irritated China since Washington broke official ties with Taipei and normalized relations with Beijing in 1979. China considers the self-ruled island of twenty-four million people a breakaway territory that must be brought under its control, by force if necessary. The United States views Taiwan’s status as undetermined and opposes any unilateral changes to the status quo.
U.S. Military Support for Taiwan in Five Charts
The United States has been arming Taiwan since the mid-twentieth century, a trend which has increasingly irritated China since Washington broke official ties with Taipei and normalized relations with Beijing in 1979. More From Our Experts China considers the self-ruled island of twenty-four million people a breakaway territory that must be brought under its control, by force if necessary. The United States views Taiwan’s status as undetermined and opposes any unilateral changes to the status quo.
Mapping the Growing U.S. Military Presence in the Middle East
The United States maintains a considerable military presence in the Middle East, with forces in more than a dozen countries and on ships throughout the region’s waters. That presence has expanded in 2024 as the United States focuses on deterring and defeating threats from Iran and its network of armed affiliates in the region, including Hamas (Gaza Strip), Hezbollah (Lebanon), the Houthis (Yemen), and several Iraq- and Syria-based militant groups.
U.S. Troops in the Middle East: Mapping the Military Presence
The United States maintains a considerable military presence in the Middle East, with forces in more than a dozen countries and on ships throughout the region’s waters. That presence has expanded in 2024 as the United States focuses on deterring and defeating threats from Iran and its network of armed affiliates in the region, including Hamas (Gaza Strip), Hezbollah (Lebanon), the Houthis (Yemen), and several Iraq- and Syria-based militant groups.
The Hidden Toll of New York City's Misdemeanor System
Contrary to popular perception, it’s not just violent crimes like murder and assault that fill court dockets. Most often, it’s lesser offenses, such as shoplifting, low-level drug possession, or traffic infractions, that propel people into the criminal justice system. Pinpointing the size of the minor offense system — which encompasses misdemeanors, violations, and infractions — is challenging. While misdemeanors are tracked to some extent, data on infractions and violations is sparse.
Who is part of Iran’s regional armed network and what are their aims? Original
World Updated on Apr 21, 2024 1:24 PM EDT — Published on Feb 6, 2024 2:09 PM EDT In the four decades since its Islamic Revolution, Iran has formed and supported an expanding number of allied fighting forces throughout the Middle East. Iran’s Quds Force, part of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), serves as the main point of contact with these groups, providing them with training, weaponry, and funds to promote Iranian regional objectives.
Who is part of Iran’s regional armed network and what are their aims?
In the four decades since its Islamic Revolution, Iran has formed and supported an expanding number of allied fighting forces throughout the Middle East. Iran’s Quds Force, part of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), serves as the main point of contact with these groups, providing them with training, weaponry, and funds to promote Iranian regional objectives.
U.S. Aid to Israel in Four Charts
Jonathan Masters and Will Merrow | Council on Foreign Relations – TRANSCEND Media Service 23 Jan 2024 – Israel has long been the leading recipient of U.S. foreign aid, including military support. That aid has come under heightened scrutiny amid Israel’s war to eliminate Hamas. The United States was the first country to recognize the provisional government of the state of Israel upon its founding in 1948, and it has for many decades been a strong and steady supporter of the Jewish state.
U.S. Aid to Israel in Four Charts
The United States was the first country to recognize the provisional government of the state of Israel upon its founding in 1948, and for many decades it has been a strong and steady supporter of the Jewish state.
U.S. Aid to Israel in Four Charts
Sign up to receive CFR President Mike Froman’s analysis on the most important foreign policy story of the week, delivered to your inbox every Friday. Subscribe to The World This Week. More From Our Experts The United States was the first country to recognize the provisional government of the state of Israel upon its founding in 1948, and for many decades it has been a strong and steady supporter of the Jewish state.
How much aid the U.S. has sent to Ukraine, in 6 charts
Every year, the United States sends billions of dollars in aid — and much more than any other country — to beneficiaries around the world in pursuit of its security, economic, and humanitarian interests. Heading into 2022, U.S. foreign assistance was driven by various priorities of the Biden administration, including combating climate change, responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, and countering authoritarianism.
How much aid the U.S. has sent to Ukraine, in 6 charts
17 hours ago Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez defends Jamaal Bowman over fire alarm as GOP file motion to expel The Independent - Julia Saqui • 17h Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez vehemently defended her democratic colleague Jamaal Bowman after it emerged he triggered a fire alarm during a vote on government funding in the House. Republican Nicole Malliotakis, has drafted a motion to expel Mr Bowman from the chamber, accusing him of trying to delay the vote.
Nuclear Weapons in Europe: Mapping U.S. and Russian Deployments
What’s behind Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus? The move that Putin announced in late March would be the first time since the fall of the Soviet Union that Russia has stationed nuclear weapons beyond its own borders, and it raises the prospects for a renewed, destabilizing nuclear arms rivalry with the United States and its North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies.
Here’s How Much Aid the United States Has Sent Ukraine
As the war in Ukraine continues in its fifth year, CFR’s initiative on securing Ukraine’s future is tracking the conflict with timely analysis and policy recommendations. After Russia’s invasion in February 2022, Ukraine became by far the top recipient of U.S. foreign aid, marking the first time a European country held the top spot since the Marshall Plan directed vast sums to rebuild the continent after World War II.
Here’s How Much Aid the United States Has Sent Ukraine
Sign up to receive CFR President Mike Froman’s analysis on the most important foreign policy story of the week, delivered to your inbox every Friday. Subscribe to The World This Week. More From Our Experts As the war in Ukraine continues in its fourth year, CFR’s initiative on securing Ukraine’s future is tracking the conflict with timely analysis and policy recommendations.
How Much Aid Has the U.S. Sent Ukraine? Here Are Six Charts.
Every year, the United States sends billions of dollars in aid—and much more than any other country—to beneficiaries around the world in pursuit of its security, economic, and humanitarian interests. Since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, Ukraine has become far and away the top recipient of U.S. foreign aid. This marks the first time that a European country has held the top spot since the Harry S.
C. Peter McColough Series on International Economics With Brian Deese
Afghanistan The Taliban have returned to power in Afghanistan twenty years after their ouster by U.S. troops, sparking concerns that they will impose harsh rule, neglect to provide basic services, and abuse human rights. Backgrounder by Lindsay Maizland September 15, 2021
Why the U.S. Ramped Up Its Information War With Russia
For years, American officials have lamented that the United States fights with one arm tied behind its back when it comes to waging information war—i.e., the battle for “hearts and minds.” Adversaries including the self-declared Islamic State and the Kremlin are free to spread lies and conspiracy theories, while the U.S. government generally feels compelled to hew to the truth in its public pronouncements (even as it often tries to conceal scandalous misconduct).
Academic Webinar: Democracy in Latin America
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Stringer/Reuters Speaker Director, Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies, and Senior Visiting Scholar, Duke University Presider Vice President, National Program and Outreach, Council on Foreign Relations Patrick Dennis Duddy, director of the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies and senior visiting scholar at Duke University, leads a conversation on democracy in...
Putin's Ukraine Quagmire Original
Russian President Vladimir Putin regularly showcases his skills in judo and other martial arts. Success in these sports often depends on what the Japanese call kuzushi –unbalancing one’s opponent by employing techniques designed to disrupt their physical and mental equilibrium. More From Our Experts Putin has sought to throw the United States and its NATO allies off balance by mobilizing more than 100,000 Russian troops on Ukraine’s border.
Iran’s Regional Armed Network
In the four decades since its Islamic Revolution, Iran has formed and supported an expanding number of allied fighting forces throughout the Middle East. Iran’s Quds Force, part of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), serves as the main point of contact with these groups, providing them with training, weaponry, and funds to promote Iranian regional objectives.
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