Joseph S. Nye Jr.

Distinguished Service Professor, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University

Joseph Nye is university distinguished service professor and former dean of Harvard's Kennedy School of Government. He has served as assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs, chair of the National Intelligence Council, and deputy under secretary of state for security assistance, science, and technology. His recent books include Soft Power: The Means to Success in World Politics, Understanding International Conflicts (7th edition), The Power Game: A Washington Novel, and The Powers to Lead. He is based in Cambridge, MA.

Japan

The U.S.-Japan Alliance
The alliance with Japan has been the cornerstone of U.S. security policy in East Asia for decades. Now, Japan’s role in global security is growing as challenges from China and North Korea mount.  

Backgrounder by CFR.org Editors May 3, 2024

United States

How U.S. Water Infrastructure Works
The sprawling U.S. water system is central to the nation’s economy, but chronic underinvestment, increasing demand, and the consequences of climate change have revealed the system’s weaknesses.  

Backgrounder by James McBride and Noah Berman May 2, 2024 Renewing America

Cuba

U.S.-Cuba Relations
Cuba has long been a major foreign policy challenge for the United States. President Biden is the latest U.S. leader to grapple with how to balance democracy promotion with the desire for a better bilateral relationship.

Backgrounder by CFR.org Editors April 24, 2024

Top Stories on CFR

Turkey

Erdogan’s Crisis of Legitimacy and Its Consequences
Despite the destabilizing effects of his economic and foreign policies, as well as a major election loss, President Erdogan shows no sign of interest in course correction.

Article by Henri J. Barkey May 2, 2024

Economics

Global Inflation Tracker
The CFR Global Inflation Tracker allows you to gauge trends in prices across the world over time.

Tracker by Benn Steil and Elisabeth Harding April 30, 2024 Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies

China

A Second China Shock, With Brad Setser

Podcast
Brad Setser, the Whitney Shepardson senior fellow at CFR, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the causes and consequences of China’s export surge.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Brad W. Setser April 30, 2024 The President’s Inbox