Why It Matters

Honey, I Tracked the War 10.04.2026 38min

This episode explores how drones, cell phones, and other widely-available intelligence tools are turning civilians and aid workers into frontline witnesses—documenting war in real time, guiding humanitarian aid, and helping build evidence that could power future war crimes cases. Host: Gabrielle Sierra, Director of Podcasting, Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) Guest: Anthony Vinci, Cofounder and CEO, Vico; Adjunct Senior Fellow, Technology and National Security Program, Center for a New American Security (CNAS) Sam Vigersky, International Affairs Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) We discuss: How drones, satellites, smartphones, and other widely-available tools are changing who gets to document war. How civilians are no longer just witnesses to conflict but are also recording attacks in real time and helping gather intelligence As Anthony Vinci puts it: “We’re becoming civilian spies.” How ordinary people are building digital evidence libraries online that may later support investigations into war crimes and accountability efforts. How drones are blurring the line between surveillance, intelligence gathering, and direct attacks on the battlefield. Why more access to information does not always lead to justice, especially when politics and institutions fail to act. How journalists, aid workers, and civilians face greater danger when documenting violence and sharing what they see. Why the growing flood of footage, data, and digital records is changing how audiences process war emotionally. Read more: Anthony Vinci, The Fourth Intelligence Revolution Sam Vigersky, “Beyond Conventional Aid: Institutionalizing Public-Private Partnership in Ukraine’s Humanitarian Response,” CFR.org “Counting the Dead,” Human Rights Watch “Listen, Run, Hide: How Russia Uses Quadcopter Drones to Hunt and Kill Civilians in Kherson, Ukraine,” Human Rights Watch “UN Commission Concludes that Russian Armed Forces’ Drone Attacks Against Civilians in Kherson Province Amount to Crimes Against Humanity of Murder,” United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner Want to keep up with Why It Matters? Sign up to receive an email alert when new episodes drop. Why It Matters is a production of the Council on Foreign Relations. The opinions expressed on the show are solely those of the host and guests, not of the Council, which takes no institutional positions on matters of policy.

One Woman's Path From a U.S. College Campus to the Ukrainian Battlefield 26.03.2026 31min

This episode traces one young woman's journey home to a new kind of war—and Ukraine’s fight for survival. Host: Gabrielle Sierra, Director of Podcasting, Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) Guest: Catarina Buchatskiy, Co-Founder & Director of Analytics, Snake Island Institute We discuss: The story of a young Ukrainian woman who left college in the U.S. to join the fight at home within days of the invasion. How Ukraine transformed its drone manufacturing from garage shops to a sophisticated, rapidly scaling defense industry. Ukraine’s surprising dependence on China in its drone supply chain, and its push to make ‘China-free’ drones by 2026. Stories of Ukrainian resilience and resolve. How the Snake Island Institute bridges the gap between the battlefield and Western policymaking by connecting Ukrainian military insights to the allies who are shaping defense strategy. As Buchatskiy puts it: “The overarching definition of victory is that the Ukrainian nation is whole, that the state is legitimate, that we have control over the state, that we have our democracy, and that we’re at peace and can live freely.” Want to keep up with Why It Matters? Sign up to receive an email alert when new episodes drop. Why It Matters is a production of the Council on Foreign Relations. The opinions expressed on the show are solely those of the host and guests, not of the Council, which takes no institutional positions on matters of policy.

Allies, Partners, or Frenemies? 11.03.2026 37min

This episode outlines the global network sustaining both sides of the war in Ukraine, with NATO allies on one side and Russia with backing from China, Iran, and North Korea on the other, and how the limits and tensions within these alliances are shaping the war’s next phase and raising broader global security risks. Host: Gabrielle Sierra, Director of Podcasting, Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) Guests: Liana Fix, Senior Fellow for Europe, Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) Joseph Torigian, Senior Fellow for Asia Studies, Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) We discuss: How the war in Ukraine has become a global conflict fueled by competing networks of allies and partners on both sides. Why Ukraine’s survival depends on sustained military, financial, and intelligence support from the United States and NATO. How Russia has built its own wartime coalition, relying on Iran for drones, North Korea for munitions, and China for economic backing. Why the Russian alliance with China is driven more by shared opposition to Western power than true strategic alignment. How cracks are emerging within both coalitions, from political fatigue in the West to quiet limits in China’s support for Russia. As Liana Fix puts it: “A more transactional idea of alliances is exactly where we are headed.” How sanctions, supply chains, and defense production have turned global economics into a second front in the war. How shifting alliances could expand the conflict’s risks beyond Ukraine and reshape global security dynamics. What this war reveals about the return of bloc politics in a new era of great power competition. Read More: Liana Fix, “Defending Europe if Russia Steps Out of the Gray Zone,” CFR.org Liana Fix, Heidi E. Crebo-Rediker, Thomas Graham, Paul B. Stares, and Sam Vigersky, “Securing Ukraine’s Future: Adapting to New Realities After Four Years of War,” CFR.org Joseph Torigian, “Xi Jinping’s Russian Lessons,” Foreign Affairs Clara Fong and Lindsay Maizland, “China and Russia: Exploring Ties Between Two Authoritarian Powers” Anya Konstantinovsky, “China, Russia, and Ukraine: December 2024” Molly Carlough and James Kennedy, “How North Korea Has Bolstered Russia’s War in Ukraine” Want to keep up with Why It Matters? Sign up to receive an email alert when new episodes drop. Why It Matters is a production of the Council on Foreign Relations. The opinions expressed on the show are solely those of the host and guests, not of the Council, which takes no institutional positions on matters of policy.

We Are in a New Era of Warfare 11.03.2026 32min

This episode explores how the emergence of drone warfare and innovation under fire is transforming power and forcing nations to rethink strategy and military capacity. Host: Gabrielle Sierra, Director of Podcasting, Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) Guests: Michael C. Horowitz, Senior Fellow for Technology and Innovation, Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) Erin D. Dumbacher, Stanton Nuclear Security Senior Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) We discuss: How Ukraine is redefining modern warfare with cheap, scalable drone technology that can take down multimillion-dollar weapons. As Michael Horowitz puts it: “We’ve entered the era of precise mass in war.” How Ukraine became a real-world testing ground for autonomous weapons and AI-driven combat systems. Why small countries can now challenge military superpowers using precision strike at scale. How 70% of battlefield casualties in Ukraine are now linked to drone warfare, not traditional weapons. How Silicon Valley quietly became a key player in the war, from Starlink to AI intelligence and communication tools. How Russia is adapting just as quickly, scaling drone production and learning in real time. What the U.S. risks if it fails to keep up with rapid battlefield innovation and production speed. Read More: Securing Ukraine’s Future, CFR Michael C. Horowitz and Lauren Kahn, “Military AI Adoption Is Outpacing Global Cooperation,” CFR.org Michael Horowitz, “What Drones Can—and Cannot—Do on the Battlefield,” Foreign Affairs Erin D. Dumbacher, “Nukes Without Limits? A New Era After the End of New START,” CFR.org Want to keep up with Why It Matters? Sign up to receive an email alert when new episodes drop. Why It Matters is a production of the Council on Foreign Relations. The opinions expressed on the show are solely those of the host and guests, not of the Council, which takes no institutional positions on matters of policy.

The Risk Report for 2026 18.12.2025 32min

As 2025 draws to a close, U.S. foreign policy stands at an inflection point. Under the second Trump administration, traditional alliances have been tested, a hard-edged national security strategy has been rolled out, and for the first time, CFR’s annual Preventive Priorities Survey has ranked a military conflict with Venezuela as a top threat facing the U.S. in 2026. Whether these and other flashpoints erupt next year will hinge on how world leaders manage mounting pressures, both at home and abroad. Read the full 2026 Preventive Priorities Survey. Featured Guest: Paul B. Stares (General John W. Vessey Senior Fellow for Conflict Prevention and Director of the Center for Preventive Action) Why It Matters is a production of the Council on Foreign Relations. The opinions expressed on the show are solely those of the guests, not of CFR, which takes no institutional positions on matters of policy.

Where Does U.S. Trade Go From Here? 05.06.2025 37min

The unprecedented trade policies since the beginning of this year, driven largely by the Donald Trump administration’s pro-tariff agenda, have propelled the United States into uncertain and rocky territory. When it comes to our trading partners, the potential damage to U.S. alliances has left economists and policymakers in Washington questioning what’s next. Where do experts foresee U.S. trade policy heading? This season, Why It Matters is taking you through the ins and outs of trade. In this season finale, CFR’s Michael Froman and Shannon K. O’Neil tackle your biggest questions about what’s at stake and what’s next for U.S. trade policy. Featured Guests: Michael Froman (President of the Council on Foreign Relations) Shannon K. O’Neil (Senior Vice President, Director of Studies, and Maurice R. Greenberg Chair, CFR) To hear more from Michael Froman, subscribe to his newsletter, The World This Week. For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/wim/where-does-trade-go-here

Mind the Trade Gap 03.06.2025 32min

Is having a trade deficit necessarily a bad thing? Many experts argue that the U.S. trade deficit is largely good for our economy. It allows Americans to enjoy a wider variety of cheap goods, attracts foreign investment, and reflects the strength of the U.S. dollar. Others believe it’s a warning sign that we’re relying too much on imports, hurting American jobs, and racking up debt owed to other countries. This season, Why It Matters is taking you through the ins and outs of trade. In this episode, we unpack the trade deficit. What is it and why has it become a primary focus of the second Trump administration? Featured Guests: Brad W. Setser (The Whitney Shepardson Senior Fellow specializing in global trade and capital flows, financial vulnerability analysis, and sovereign debt restructuring, CFR) Heather Hurlburt (Associate Fellow for the U.S. and the Americas Programme, Chatham House) For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/wim/mind-trade-gap

Why It Matters Live!: Food Diplomacy 21.05.2025 39min

Host Gabrielle Sierra and podcast guests Johanna Mendelson Forman and Matthew Costello discuss food diplomacy, share stories from White House state dinners, and unpack how food has helped to create lasting international partnerships. This taping was originally recorded on April 17, 2025. Featured Guests Johanna Mendelson Forman (Distinguished Fellow at the Stimson Center, Adjunct Professor at American University’s School of International Service) Matthew Costello (Chief Education Officer and Director of the David M. Rubenstein National Center for White House History at the White House Historical Association)

Trade Agreements: Deal or No Deal 21.05.2025 29min

What role does the president have when it comes to making trade deals? In this episode, we dig into the expansive powers of the U.S. president when it comes to trade. From unilateral authority to congressional oversight, we unpack who truly calls the shots when the U.S. negotiates trade agreements. This season, Why It Matters is taking you through the ins and outs of trade. In this episode, Why It Matters dissects the current state of U.S. trade agreements; what deals exist, which ones are under strain, and how President Donald Trump’s unconventional approach to trade negotiations is shifting the United States away from the norm. Featured Guest: Inu Manak (Fellow for trade policy at the Council on Foreign Relations) For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/wim/trade-agreements-deal-or-no-deal

Tariff Turmoil, Part 2: Steel and Dog Gelato 30.04.2025 32min

Tariffs have sparked intense debate in Washington, but their consequences land far from Capitol Hill. Tariffs can shape paychecks, shift prices for consumers, and affect markets. At best, tariffs offer short-term protection for certain industries. At worst, they can uproot the lives of American workers. In this episode, Why It Matters looks at what tariffs mean for a U.S. steel manufacturer and small business owner trying to stay afloat. Featured Guests Matthew P. Goodman, Distinguished Fellow and Director of the Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies, CFR Jamie Sychak, President of United Auto Workers Local 3303 Debbie Hendrickx, Founder and CEO of Swell Gelato For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/wim/tariff-turmoil-part-2-steel-and-dog-gelato

Tariff Turmoil, Part 1: How Tariffs Are Affecting Farmers 16.04.2025 29min

Tariffs are often discussed in big, abstract terms—trade wars, economic strategy, global power struggles. But for ginseng farmers in Wisconsin, their effects are painfully personal. In this episode, Why It Matters dives into how tariffs work and how they’re hitting one of America's most niche yet lucrative exports: Wisconsin-grown ginseng. Featured Guests Matthew P. Goodman, Distinguished Fellow and Director of the Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies, CFR Will Hsu, President of Hsu's Ginseng Enterprises Inc. For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/wim/tariff-turmoil-part-1-how-tariffs-are-affecting-farmers

The Washington Consensus Could Not Hold 02.04.2025 30min

When it comes to trade, there is no consensus in Washington. The issue has become deeply polarizing, with lawmakers split over whether free trade agreements benefit or harm the U.S. economy. While some argue that open markets are essential for global leadership and economic growth, others believe that such policies disproportionately harm American workers and industries, fueling the rise of protectionist sentiment. This season, Why It Matters is taking you through the ins and outs of trade. In this episode, we’re examining how trade policy is sizing up to be anything but consensus. Featured Guests Shannon K. O’Neil, Senior Vice President, Director of Studies, and Maurice R. Greenberg Chair, CFR Edward Alden, Senior Fellow specializing in U.S. economic competitiveness, trade, and immigration policy For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/wim/washington-consensus-could-not-hold

We’ve Been Looking At Trade All Wrong 19.03.2025 32min

There was once a broad consensus in Washington that trade was a force for good—a way to connect, grow, and prosper. But today, trade has evolved into something much bigger than just the exchange of goods. It’s become a powerful tool to rewrite the rules of foreign policy, reshape how the United States is viewed by the rest of the world, and steer us toward an increasingly uncertain future. When did this change begin, and where did we go off course? This season, Why It Matters is taking you through the ins and outs of trade. In this episode, we’re diving into the history books to learn what can the past tell us about the future of U.S. trade policy. Featured Guest Edward Alden, senior fellow specializing in U.S. economic competitiveness, trade, and immigration policy For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/weve-been-looking-trade-all-wrong

Why Trade Matters 19.03.2025 2min

Why It Matters is back and this time we are dedicating an entire season to talking about trade. Alongside CFR’s leading experts, we are bringing you stories from Americans around the country and trying to figure out where Washington went wrong when it comes to U.S. trade policy.

Why Climate Matters: Nuclear Energy 20.02.2025 37min

As the climate crisis intensifies, so do discussions about the utilization of nuclear energy. In the aftermath of nuclear meltdowns such as Chernobyl and Fukushima, climate skeptics say the environmental benefits do not outweigh the associated costs and risks. But others think that nuclear energy might be the best option for a greener future. Weighed against the world’s continued reliance on fossil fuels, how could nuclear be a safeguard for our energy supply? This episode was originally released on October 29, 2021. Featured Guests Leslie Dewan, CEO, RadiantNano Shirley Ann Jackson, President, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/the-climate-for-nuclear-energy

New Podcast Spotlight: The Interconnect 14.02.2025 29min

Emerging technologies are transforming international relations and our country’s economy. So how do we connect science and engineering labs with Washington and the world of business? The Interconnect, a new podcast series from the Council on Foreign Relations and the Stanford Emerging Technology Review, brings together leading minds in cutting-edge technology and foreign policy to explore recent ground-breaking developments, what's coming over the horizon, and the implications for U.S. innovation leadership. In this featured episode, Stanford Emerging Technology Review Faculty Council Member Mark Horowitz and CFR’s technologist-in-residence Sebastian Elbaum discuss where chip manufacturing is heading, how hardware advances are powering the new artificial intelligence (AI) era, and what the United States should prioritize in order to sustain its leadership in this crucial domain. Host Martin Giles, Managing Editor of the Stanford Emerging Technology Review Guests Mark Horowitz, chair of the Electrical Engineering Department at Stanford University Sebastian Elbaum, the Technologist in Residence at the Council on Foreign Relations

Why Climate Matters: Water Scarcity 12.02.2025 35min

Fresh water sustains all life, but in many regions, especially arid ones, it is becoming increasingly scarce due to climate change. Aging infrastructure and ineffective policies are only making the situation worse, affecting communities, economies, and even the political stability of some countries. As water shortages intensify, it’s crucial to rethink how we manage this vital resource and develop more adaptable systems that can better withstand the effects of climate change. This episode was originally released on July 8, 2021. Featured Guests Sandra Postel, Founder and Director, Global Water Policy Project Mark Giordano, Professor of Geography and Cinco Hermanos Chair in Environment and International Affairs, Georgetown University For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/water-scarcity

Why Climate Matters: The Arctic 05.02.2025 27min

Under international law, the North Pole and the Arctic waters surrounding it are not owned by any country. But this January, President Donald Trump announced his plans to buy the Arctic territory of Greenland, testing the claims of rivals and opening up a greater conversation around who governs the Arctic Circle. On top of these icy tensions, the North Pole is warming. Melting ice caps are opening up new shipping routes and making the region increasingly mineable, generating even more interest from leaders around the world. This episode was originally released on March 29, 2023. Featured Guests Esther Brimmer, James H. Binger Senior Fellow in Global Governance Jeff Randall, Military Fellow, U.S. Coast Guard For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/whats-cracking-arctic

Why Climate Matters: Pricing Climate 29.01.2025 35min

What does it mean to price our climate? The goal of fees like the “carbon tax” is to put a price on pollutants such as carbon dioxide that contribute to climate change, and incentivize businesses to reduce their emissions and make cleaner choices. But many companies are continuing to value profit over protecting the planet, backing out of their clean energy goals and sinking more money into fossil fuels and other short-term investments that harm the Earth. This has been happening for years, but has ramped up in anticipation of a new Trump administration which has pulled away from climate initiatives like the Paris Accord and Inflation Reduction Act since taking office. This episode was originally released on July 29, 2020. Featured Guests Kate Mackenzie, Green Columnist, Bloomberg Michael Greenstone, Professor of Economics, University of Chicago For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/pricing-our-climate

Why Climate Matters: Home Insurance 23.01.2025 39min

For decades, U.S. homeowners have counted on property insurance to protect them from catastrophic loss if their homes are destroyed. But last year, private companies pulled their coverage in multiple climate-sensitive states, only months before the fires in Los Angeles and the hurricanes in the Southeast region wreaked havoc. As climate disasters become more frequent, can home insurance hold up? This episode was originally released on September 27, 2023. Featured Guests David Marlett, Managing Director of the Brantley Risk & Insurance Center, Appalachian State University Nancy Watkins, Principal and Consulting Actuary, Milliman For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/could-climate-change-break-home-insurance