CFR Launches Election 2020 Resources on Campaign Issues

In the run-up to the November 2020 U.S. presidential election, the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) has created resources to help citizens better understand the critical international issues at stake in the campaign.

Election 2020 includes the candidates’ responses to CFR’s foreign policy questionnaire, a tracker of their stated positions, a podcast series offering opposing views on challenges confronting the United States, and video explainers on important issues. Election 2020 also features discussions with candidates at CFR, as well as four upcoming regional university campus events during the primaries with foreign policy experts. 

“Americans will face a crucial choice in November 2020 when they vote for president. CFR’s suite of resources is meant to help inform and educate citizens and others around the world about the consequential foreign policy decisions the next U.S. president will face,” said CFR President Richard N. Haass.

CFR’s Election 2020 resources include:

• Foreign Policy Questionnaire: CFR invited the candidates challenging President Donald J. Trump to articulate their positions on twelve policy questions. To date, sixteen Democrats and one Republican have submitted their answers.
• Candidate Tracker: A tracker details the candidates’ public positions and records on more than a dozen pressing international topics, including climate change, trade, and cybersecurity.
• The President’s Inbox Podcast: CFR Director of Studies James M. Lindsay moderates twelve weekly podcast episodes featuring experts with differing views on a range of foreign policy issues, including America’s role in the world, U.S. strategy toward Iran, free-trade agreements, defense spending, and more.
• Video Series: Hosted by CFR Senior Fellow Shannon K. O’Neil, explainer videos debunk misconceptions about issues such as tariffs, sanctions, and foreign aid, and set the record straight. Coming soon.
• Campaign-Related Events: Candidates participate in discussions at CFR, and CFR will host fora with foreign policy experts at four university campuses in pivotal primary states.

This project was made possible in part by a grant from Carnegie Corporation of New York.

For more information, please contact the Global Communications and Media Relations team at 212.434.9888 or [email protected].