Religion and Foreign Policy Bulletin |
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Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei attends Eid al-Fitr prayers in Tehran, Iran. (West Asia News Agency/Reuters) |
The June 2025 Religion and Foreign Policy Bulletin highlights CFR analysis on updates with the war in Iran, U.S. immigration policy, and peace and development in the Global South. |
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The Islamic Republic’s Power Centers |
Recent Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iran have reignited speculation about the possibility of a regime change in Tehran. Israel’s attacks, which targeted key nuclear and military sites and killed senior commanders, reflect a strategic effort to expose Iran’s internal security weaknesses and potentially destabilize the regime. CFR experts examine the current structure of Iran’s political system, which centers on the supreme leader’s consolidated religious and political authority. Read the article on CFR.org »
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Iran’s Regime Rattled but Resilient—So Far
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CFR’s Ray Takeyh notes the potential consequences should Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei become a target, and predicts that while Khamenei currently retains control, the strikes are likely to fuel public anger and deepen ideological divisions within both the Iranian leadership and society at large. Read the Expert Brief on CFR.org »
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| Hassan Khomeini, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini’s grandson, and Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader/West Asia News Agency/Reuters)
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Ongoing CFR Coverage on Iran |
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U.S. Postwar Immigration Policy |
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A Soviet Jewish refugee family in Moldova due to receive a U.S. immigration visa in 1979. (Nathan Benn/Ottochrome/
Corbis/Getty Images)
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A new CFR timeline traces how U.S. immigration policy has evolved since World War II, reflecting shifting political priorities, global events, and social movements. Highlighting key legislative and policy changes, this timeline offers context for understanding today’s immigration debates and the long-term role immigration plays in shaping American society. View the Timeline on CFR.org »
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A Guide to the Countries on Trump’s 2025 Travel Ban List |
President Trump’s new travel ban restricts entry from twelve countries and imposes partial suspensions on seven more, citing national security, visa overstays, and cooperation on deportations. Many affected nations are experiencing internal crises—from civil war to authoritarian rule—raising humanitarian and diplomatic questions. The sweeping order is expected to face legal challenges. Read the article on CFR.org »
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International Students Are Critical for U.S. Innovation. Why Are They at Risk? |
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International students contribute significantly to U.S. research, innovation, and the economy, supporting over 378,000 jobs and bringing in $44 billion annually. Recent federal actions—including visa restrictions and increased scrutiny of certain institutions and nationalities—have fueled concerns about the future of U.S. higher education and global competitiveness. Read the article on CFR.org »
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Harvard University Commencement ceremony in Cambridge, Massachusetts, April 2025. (Sydney Roth/Anadolu/Getty Images)
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Nigeria’s Never-ending Security Nightmare |
Two years into his tenure, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his administration faces mounting scrutiny amid a surge in violent attacks across the country. CFR’s Ebenezer Obadare analyzes the persistent cycle of violence—driven by political destabilization efforts, religious motivations, and the failures of government intervention—and articulates the inability of Nigeria’s political leadership to effectively confront terrorism and armed banditry. Read the Blog on CFR.org »
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The Global Fragility Act Is a Model for Cost-Effective Foreign Assistance
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The Global Fragility Act (GFA), a bipartisan U.S. law combining development, diplomacy, and defense to prevent conflict in fragile states, is up for reauthorization. Backed by both Trump and Biden administrations and praised for its emphasis on cost-effective aid and long-term stability, CFR’s Linda Robinson writes for CFR RealEcon that the GFA has shown promising results in West Africa and beyond. Read the article on CFR.org »
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| Viviane Kouame, Ivorian chocolate artisan, works at Chocovi, her chocolate factory in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, May 2024.
(REUTERS/Luc Gnago)
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On June 18, representatives from Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo initialed a peace agreement. While President Trump praised the U.S. role in facilitating the talks, CFR’s Michelle Gavin asserts that the path to lasting peace in the Congo is far more complex. Meaningful peace agreement implementation and the disarmament of nonstate armed groups will require sustained international engagement and the empowerment of Congolese citizens to shape their own future. Read the Blog on CFR.org »
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The latest issue features pieces from Stacie E. Goddard, A. Wess Mitchell, Alexander Gabuev, and Rana Mitter examining the strongmen leaders of today. It also delves into U.S. military might with analysis from Lawrence D. Freedman, Andrew S. Lim and James D. Fearon, and Michael Brown. |
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