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
Agreement on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) in Atlanta. TPP and TTIP: Power Games in the U.S. Congress
Our analysis on the Agrement on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) in Atlanta: President Obama is now seeking approval from Congress. He might be getting more support from the Republicans.
Blaming El Norte: The Economic Realities of Anti-Americanism South of the Rio Grande
For more than half a century, Cuba captured America’s attention as a symbol of anti-Americanism right in its own backyard. As normalized relations between the United States and Cuba bring these iconic hostilities to a close, many wonder if Castro’s Cold War rhetoric is finally dead. Borne primarily by Venezuela and Ecuador, Latin America's anti-Americanism has in fact merely transformed into an equally aggravating but less consequential trend today. Economic dependency tempers this new thorn in the United States’ side.
The American Campaign
Où en est la campagne américaine ? on France Culture, with Christine Okrent
Donald Trump, candidat à la présidentielle des Etats-Unis
Donald Trump, American presidential candidate: Where is the campaign? with Laurence Nardon, head of the United States program at the French Institute for Intenational Relations (IFRI).
NSA : can Americans talk privately?
Anne Giudicelli, founder of TERR(o)RISC, Laurence Nardon, researcher and head of the United States program at IFRI, Benaouda Abdeddaïm, columnist at BFM Business and Romain Zerbib, strategic management researcher with IGS, share their thoughts on privacy as the Patriot Act expires.
Les Décodeurs de l'éco, from June 1st, hosted by Fabrice Lundy, on BFM Business.
Foreign Policy : Obama's America without a Compass
François Hollande to Cuba
Understand François Hollande's trip to Cuba with commentary by Daniela Ordonez, economist specializing in Spain, Portugal, Latin America and the Carribean at Euler Hermes; Benaouda Abdeddaim, economic editor of BMF Business; Laurence Nardon, researcher and United States specialist at IFRI; Karel Negrete, professor of political theory at the University of Havana and co-author of "Cuba: révolution dans la révolution"; and Philippe Gautier, Assistant Director of Medef International. - Les Décodeurs de l'éco, on May 11 is hosted by BFM Business.
USA and the negociations with Iran 1/2 : How does each side understand nuclear diplomacy?
Robert Litwak is the Vice President for Scholars and Director of International Security Studies at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.
USA and the negociations with Iran 2/2 : U.S. views on the true nature of the Iranian regime
Robert Litwak from the Wilson Center joined Ifri on April 22, 2015 for a seminar on the U.S.-Iranian nuclear negotiations. In this video, he analyzes the different views on Iran and its regime.
Robert Litwak is the Vice President for Scholars and Director of International Security Studies at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.
Obama's new world, what's next?
Cuba, Iran, Yemen... the White House is fighting on the front lines of multiple diplomatic offensives. In the midst of continuing nuclear negotiations with Iran, Washington has decided to support the Saudi intervention in Yemen while engaging in a new showdown with Iran. The United States won't just sit back with its arms crossed. Incoherent strategy or reestablishing leadership on the international stage? In the final straightaway of Obama's last term, is "Obama the hesitant" looking to rewrite history? And if Hillary Clinton were to succeed him tomorrow, would the former Secretary of State follow in his ideological footsteps?
- Laurence Nardon, head of the United States program at IFRI
- Bertrand Badie, professor at Sciences Po, researcher at Ceri
- John R. MacArthur, by telephone from NYC, Director of Harper’s Magazine
Historic Meeting between Obama and Raul Castro
The thaw between Cuba and the United States reaches a head at the Summit of the Americas in Panama and the normalization of relations has begun as the White House removed Cuba from the state-sponsored terrorism list. Laurence Nardon, head of the United States program at IFRI comments on U.S.-Cuba relations as well as Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign kickoff.
Hillary Clinton et les radicaux du Parti démocrate
Hillary Clinton should announce very soon that she is running for president in 2016. On the Republican side, candidates' abundance promises a long and wild primary campaign. On the Democratic side, Clinton should not face any serious rivalry. The Democrats' (most to the left) champion, the senator of Massachussetts, Elizabeth Warren, repeated many times that she would not run for primaries. Clinton nevertheless has to take into account a radicals' fringe susceptible to play up her in her own party. What is their capacity of nuisance on the American political scene?
The US Shale Oil Revolution: The Test of the Business Model is Underway
Since 2010, the United States has been undergoing a second shale revolution with the very rapid development of Light Tight Oil (LTO) or shale oil, following the revolution in shale gas. This development has allowed the production of oil and liquids to increase, so that the US is the world’s largest producer today, ahead of Saudi Arabia and Russia.
Hillary Clinton et la presse : vers une réconciliation ?
Since her departure from the State Department in 2013, Hillary Rhodam Clinton continues to fascinate the press which scrutinizes her slightest actions, looking forward to an announcement of her candidacy for the 2016 presidential elections. For years nevertheless, the former First Lady kept her distances with the journalists. This notorious mistrust could turn out problematic if she confirms her candidacy.
Conventionalizing Deterrence? U.S. Prompt Strike Programs and Their Limits
About a decade ago, the U.S. started to examine options to develop and acquire Conventional Prompt Global Strike capabilities. This move fits in an effort to conventionalize deterrence, an effort initiated decades before and undertaken for profound and diverse motives. Although it has been renewed under the Obama administration, which aims to reduce the U.S. reliance on nuclear weapons, this ambition has resulted in very little concrete progress.
Who are the candidates for 2016?
The speakers from the Annual Conference on the United States summarize their talks in short videos. Here, E.J. Dionne discusses Barack Obama's presidency and evaluates potential candidates for the 2016 presidential election.
La Chine and the TPP
The speakers from the Annual Conference on the United States summarize their talks in short videos. Here, Françoise Nicolas considers what is at stake for Asia-Pacific countries, notably China, in the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
La Californie : laboratoire de la dépolarisation ?
California benefits from a long-time extraordinarily positive image. Because of its climate, its cultural diversity, its size, its population and its energy wealth, California itself represents the essence of the American dream, every day attracting new hopeful migrants.
Ifri, a foundation recognized as being of public utility, relies largely on private donors – companies and individuals – to guarantee its sustainability and intellectual independence. Through their funding, donors help maintain the Institute's position among the world's leading think tanks. By benefiting from an internationally recognized network and expertise, donors refine their understanding of geopolitical risk and its consequences on global politics and the economy. In 2026, Ifri partners with over 90 French and international companies and organizations.
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.