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
New Cold War? What New Cold War? Confronting the Geoeconomic Fragmentation Narrative with the Data
It has become widely accepted that the world economy should be seen as increasingly shaped by forces of fragmentation, resulting from geopolitical tensions. This article takes another look at this narrative, using international trade data. While an aggregate analysis is consistent with a new Cold War narrative, whereby international trade is increasingly seen as split into two blocs, this is only a mix of very different outcomes. Far from being a widespread trend, geoeconomic fragmentation of trade flows is only significant in “hotspots”: Russia's foreign trade and China-US bilateral exchanges, and the impact is massive in these cases. Outside these “hotspots”, there is no tangible sign that geopolitical tensions have been shaping international trade patterns in terms of blocs, nor is there any hint of a trend toward nearshoring – to the contrary, in fact.
"Hillary Clinton's health is as much a problem as her credibility"
For Ifri's U.S. specialist, the Democratic presidential candidate's illness sheds a bright light not only on her health but also on her relationship to transparency.
Lessons from Orlando
Of the litany of mass shootings in the United States, the attack in Orlando has demanded attention because of its sheer scale.
A facist America?
Are the United States at risk of giving into a totalitarian drift embodied by Donald Trump?
The United States: the decline of the right to vote
More and more states are requiring voters to present an approved form of identification, a formality that primarily affects ethnic minorities.
Washington and Beijing, between competition and interdependence
During his state visit in the United States, the Chinese President Xi Jinping called for a new model of relations between the two countries. In Alice Ekman’s opinion, the notion of a “new type of major power relations” invoked by China implies the establishment of a relationship that would put the country on an equal footing with the United States.
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
Support independent French research
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 2025, Ifri supports more than 80 French and foreign companies and organizations.
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.