Nsikan Akpan

CFR Staff

Nsikan Akpan

Managing Editor, Think Global Health

Nsikan Akpan is the managing editor for Think Global Health at the Council on Foreign Relations. His previous experience includes roles at New York Public Radio, National Geographic, and PBS NewsHour. His work has received a George Foster Peabody Award, a News & Documentary Emmy Award, and an AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Award. Nsikan holds a doctorate in pathobiology and molecular medicine from Columbia University and a certificate in science communication from the University of California Santa Cruz. 

Most Recent

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

Censorship and Freedom of Expression

World Press Freedom Day 2024: Mounting Threats, Renewed Purpose

Podcast
In this special episode to mark World Press Freedom Day, Jeffrey Gedmin, cofounder and editor-in-chief of American Purpose and former president of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, joins Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins to discuss the global state of press freedom. They cover the challenges that a growing number of journalists face in exile or imprisonment, the U.S. role in upholding freedom of the press, and more.

Podcast with Robert McMahon, Carla Anne Robbins and Jeffrey Gedmin May 2, 2024 The World Next Week

Ukraine

Is U.S. Aid to Ukraine Too Little, Too Late?
U.S. aid is critical not just for Ukraine, but for U.S. credibility in Russia and beyond.

Article by Liana Fix May 2, 2024

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