Council on Foreign Relations The World This Week March 1, 2024 How Ukraine Overcame Russia’s Grain Blockade

Council on Foreign Relations

The World This Week

March 1, 2024

How Ukraine Overcame Russia’s Grain Blockade

Noah Berman, Mariel Ferragamo, and Sabine Baumgartner

A map of the sea route used by Ukraine to export grain through the Black Sea to the Mediterranean.

A map of the sea route used by Ukraine to export grain through the Black Sea to the Mediterranean.

Russia’s sealing off of Ukraine’s vital Black Sea ports and its attacks on Ukrainian grain storage centers at one point raised worldwide alarm about possible food shortages. But by early this year, grain exports were nearly back to prewar levels. Explore the photo essay

Is the U.S.-China Balance of Power Tipping?

Yanzhong Huang

China’s economic downturn and decline in influence could indicate its unlikeliness to displace the United States as a leading global power in the foreseeable future. This development calls for a reevaluation of U.S. policy toward China. Read more on Asia Unbound

The Case Against Military Rule in Nigeria

Ebenezer Obadare

With Nigeria plunged into a full-blown economic crisis, some Nigerians have started clamoring for a coup against President Bola Tinubu, a trend spanning West Africa. But this would be a dangerous path. Read more on Africa in Transition

Are Sanctions Against Russia Making a Difference?

Noah Berman

The United States and its allies have imposed broad economic penalties on Russia over its war in Ukraine. As the conflict continues, experts debate whether the sanctions are working. Read the short explainer

Combating Global Poverty

In the latest episode of The President’s Inbox podcast, Kate Schecter of World Neighbors sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss progress and setbacks in promoting economic development in some of the world’s poorest countries.

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The Far-Right Terrorist Threat Is Underestimated

Bruce Hoffman and Jacob Ware

Threats against minority communities and politicians from both parties, as well as the infiltration of the military and law enforcement, underscore a broader aim of the violent far-right to destroy the democratic state and impose an authoritarian one in its place. Read more on Renewing America

Challenges for the Israel-Hamas War Prosecutor 

David J. Scheffer

The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Karim A. A. Khan, will need to keep a keen eye on negotiations that may unfold in the coming months and weigh to what extent he should personally intervene at any point during those negotiations. Read the analysis

India’s Muslims Are Increasingly Marginalized

Lindsay Maizland

India’s Muslim communities have faced decades of discrimination, which experts say has worsened under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Ahead of India’s general election, Modi led the inauguration of a new Hindu temple over the site of demolished mosque, leading to clashes across India’s northeast. Get the background

Biden Addresses SOTU, Iran Elections, and More

The latest episode of The World Next Week podcast explores Joe Biden’s State of the Union address, the first parliamentary elections in Iran since Mahsa Amini’s death, and more.

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American Military Leadership in the Middle East

Former CENTCOM Commanders David H. Petraeus and Anthony C. Zinni discuss the military aspect of the Israel-Hamas war and lessons learned from U.S. involvement and operations in the Middle East. Watch the discussion

A Conversation With U.S. Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo

At the two-year mark of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, U.S. Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo discusses the effectiveness of the U.S. coalition’s sanctions strategy and the challenges that remain, with CFR President Michael Froman. Watch the discussion

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