Event Commentaries

Having the United States as a neighbor is unlike living close to any other — and Canada can attest to it. On January 15, Martin Regg Cohn quoted former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau, who compared living next to the U.S. as similar to sleeping with an “elephant.” “No matter how friendly and even-tempered is the beast … one is affected by every twitch and grunt.” Canada, today, feels every twitch, every tariff, and every taunt. Regg Cohn is a political columnist

One of the very first acts of the second Trump administration was to pause all United States assistance to foreign nations. This was followed by the dissolution of the federal agency charged with administering $43.8 billion assistance funds, and firing of almost all its approximately 10,000 staff — two-thirds of which worked overseas in developing nations. What impact do these actions have on the impact and effectiveness of U.S. foreign policy? Do alternative U.S. government

On December 4, 2025, the 4th annual U.S.-Mexico Defense and Security Roundtable was hosted by the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) through the Center for Research on North America (CISAN), in collaboration with the University of Arizona-UNAM Binational Consortium on Migration, Human Rights and Human Security. The roundtables provide an opportunity for discussion and to enforce the relationship between UNAM and UA through high-level engagements and communication

As the United States continues to experience dramatic changes in executive power under the Trump Administration, national security and the rule of law are increasingly at stake. What are the legal and constitutional limits on the president’s authority? And are the actions taken consistent with international legal obligations and human rights standards?   Many members had a chance to hear from Suzanne Spaulding in our October event on The Importance of The Rule of Law in Forei

In our ever transforming 21st century, major geopolitical trends will continue to shape our world and the relations between nations and associated instruments of national power. We continue to see technological change, supply chain disruptions, and rising competition among global powers, particularly from China as they expand their economic and military influence. It is crucial to understand these shifts to anticipate the challenges of our future world order, as they are rede

Since January 20th, 2025, the presidency of Donald Trump has seen a major shift in the political, economic, and social climate of the U.S., and has reignited national divisions while raising debates over governance, democracy, and the United States’ role in the world. Suzanne Spaulding  is the Senior Adviser for the Defense and Security Department at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), and former Undersecretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Sh

Alex Vindman, a regional expert at the heart of U.S. strategy, provided his thoughts on Russia’s war on Ukraine, the American foreign policy, and its role in what he calls a "preventable tragedy."

The Arizona Policy Lab at the University of Arizona’s School of Government and Public Policy recently hosted a roundtable discussion...

In the ongoing conversation about climate change, scientists like Andrew Pershing from Climate Central emphasize the importance of...

The event commentary is now available only to TCFR members. Please join the Discussion Group to see more. Thank you. AI, Espionage, and...

The deep-rooted and complex animosity between Iran and Israel has been a defining factor in shaping Middle Eastern regional politics for...

On November 21st, TCFR hosted a roundtable in collaboration with the University of Arizona to discuss U.S. Mexico Security and Defense in...

On November 7th, John Goyer joined members of the Tucson Committee on Foreign Relations to discuss U.S. trade policies in Asia and the...

On October 24, Dr. Bruce Hoffman, renowned terrorism and security expert, joined The Tucson Committee on Foreign Relations to deliver an...

On Thursday October 15, 2024, Khaled Elgindy spoke to the Tucson Committee on Foreign Relations about Hamas’s goals a year after the...

On May 3, 2024, Major General Pettus from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base spoke to the Tucson Committee on Foreign Relations about his...

On April 4, 2024, Ambassador Scot Marciel gave a chilling report of the dire situation unfolding in Myanmar. With deep insight, he...

On March 13, 2024, Medill Northwestern University’s Dean Charles Whitaker delivered compelling insights to the Tucson Committee on...

On February 8, 2024, Professor Lisa Sanchez addressed the Tucson Committee on Foreign Relations, revealing three critical insights into...

On January 11, 2024, Founder and Director of Sealight Maritime Transparency Agency, Ray Powell, delivered an insightful presentation...