United States of America
Despite polarized domestic politics and social tensions, the United States remains a major player in international relations, on the economic, military and diplomatic levels.
Related Subjects
Trump's Trade War: What Answers for the European Union?
The announcement, on April 2, 2025, of “reciprocal tariffs” by the United States has opened a sequence of profound break with decades of established trade policy practices, where the administration behaviour has been marked by dogmatic blindness, amateurism, and self-serving interests.
NSA Does the Grand Tour
On Tuesday Barack Obama called President Francois Hollande of France to explain the National Security Agency’s massive surveillance of French government offices, businesses and private citizens. Obama stated that this was a well-meaning attempt to protect both countries from Islamic terrorism. He offered to “reexamine” the program so as to determine whether the right balance was struck between public safety and privacy rights.
FRANCE CULTURE: Russia formulated a plan for Syria
Moscow just informed Washington of its plan to control Syrian chemical weapons. The Russians and Americans will discuss the effort tomorrow in Geneva. The French proposition now seems overlooked. But much like Paris, Barack Obama still wields the threat of strikes if Damascus refuses to play along.
Global Swing States and U.S. Strategy
Defending and renewing the global order is a priority for the United States and Europe. An important part of this effort will be accomplished if transatlantic partners can successfully engage four “global swing states” — Brazil, India, Indonesia and Turkey — in the management of global issues, because of their geopolitical and economic status, as well as their desire to have a stronger voice in the various international forums. Successful engagement of these nations will be key to preserving the international order and U.S. leadership.
Le Pentagone face à la séquestration et aux sorties de guerres : l'art du brouillard budgétaire ?
The U.S. defense budget has faced a sharp reduction since 2010, linked to the drawing down of two wars and the Great Recession.
Iran's Presidential Election: a Distorted Western Perspective?
The election of a religious leader at the presidency of the Islamic Republic of Iran contradicts many of the analyses of western media and experts on Iranian politics.
La crise idéologique du Parti républicain
The Republican Party's increasingly conservative bent has left it more and more at odds with the countries" growing minorities. In preparation for the 2016 election, a serious debate on the GOP's stance is now underway between far-right partisans, moderates and a more pragmatic approach espoused by political consultant Karl Rove.
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Related centers and programs
Americas Program
Ifri's work on the Americas region focuses mainly on the United States. Indeed, for more than 20 years, Ifri's Americas Program has provided keys to understanding American society and domestic policy while shedding light on developments in the country's foreign policy, including transatlantic relations and trade issues.
Since 2023, a specific axis on Latin America structures more actively Ifri's research on this region.
Ifri's Canada program was active in 2015 and 2016.