Michael Froman on Navigating a Complex World: The Role of the Council on Foreign Relations
What’s the role of America’s most influential foreign-policy institution at a moment when the rules of U.S. engagement in the world are being completely rewritten?
Michael Froman, the president of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), observed in the early days of the Trump Administration that the current geopolitical moment was the most complex in 80 years. He subsequently noted that “the last five or six weeks may well have been the most important five or six weeks in American history in 80 years.” Questions that had long seemed settled are now getting new answers, especially regarding the global economy and America’s role in the world.
This evolving landscape makes the CFR’s mission more critical than ever. Founded after World War I to emphasize U.S. engagement in the world, the Council has adapted its mission to inform and has long maintained close ties to the foreign policy establishment. Navigating this period demands the CFR’s commitment to nonpartisanship and independence, as Froman notes in this interview. Having served in the Clinton and Obama Administrations, as well as the private sector, Froman took the helm of the Council two years ago, amidst global instability and growing distrust in institutions. In a recent discussion, edited for conciseness, he discusses the increasing complexity of international relations, what Trump gets right, and the U.S.’s enduring economic and technological strength.
Michael Froman, president of the Council on Foreign Relations
Polyamory in International Relations
Froman describes the current global landscape as the most complex in eight decades. “It’s hard to feel nostalgic for the Cold War,” he reflects. “But in retrospect, the Cold War was pretty simple. It was us and them. You sort of knew where you stood. You knew what the tools were. It was bipolar.” The post-Cold War era, though initially unipolar, has given way to a more multifaceted environment, which Froman calls “polyamory.”
“You’ve got countries—India is a great example—that love the U.S. for our technology or for our civil nuclear cooperation. They love Russia for munitions. They love Iran for oil,” he explains. Numerous countries are actively avoiding the need to choose between the U.S. and authoritarian powers like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. This presents a significantly more complicated world for the U.S. to navigate.
“This is going to require a lot more diplomacy,” Froman suggests, especially amid global issues such as pandemics, climate change, and cybersecurity, where international cooperation is essential. These issues are arising at a time when the institutions of international cooperation are weak or require reform. He stresses that while the U.S. can meet these challenges, “it does require a concerted strategy to bring other countries on board with us.” He points to China’s economic initiatives, like trade agreements and the Belt and Road Initiative, and stresses the need for the U.S. to compete effectively.
Adapting to a Changing World
The Council on Foreign Relations, like TIME, has been around for over a century and recognizes the need to stay relevant. Froman clarifies that the CFR’s role is to continue emphasizing the importance of U.S. leadership. The Council helps policymakers define U.S. engagement and informs the public and opinion leaders about the international system and its impact on the United States.
When asked about the current direction of U.S. foreign policy, Froman suggests a period of redefinition is underway, with a range of views within the government, from isolationist tendencies to those focused solely on China. He believes that it’s important to “cut through the smoke and the noise to find the signal and take seriously the underlying issues that deserve attention.”
Maintaining Nonpartisanship and Independence
Given the current environment of distrust in institutions, particularly elite ones, Froman emphasizes the CFR’s commitment to nonpartisanship and independence. The Council doesn’t accept government or corporate funding for research, and its research papers represent the views of the researchers involved. The CFR provides a platform for a range of perspectives and aims to enhance trust through transparency.
Froman says that the high degree of professionalism remains important. He emphasizes the need to modernize the subject matter, covering issues such as climate change, technology, migration, and development. He also underscores the importance of broadening accessibility to information, especially through digital technology.
The Role of the Private Sector
Froman indicates that governments alone can no longer solve many challenges, including national security, and that collaboration between the public and private sectors is crucial. He sees a growing need for cooperation, as innovation in areas like AI and autonomous vehicles happens in the private sector. Also notable is the increasing importance of the private sector in addressing issues. The CFR’s role extends to brokering dialogue and expertise between the public and private sectors.
AI’s implications of course remain a priority for the Council, covering areas like economic and national security, as well as technological leadership, all combined into one. Froman highlights initiatives focused on reimagining American economic leadership, China strategy, climate realism, and the impact of emerging technologies on foreign policy, national security, and international economics.
In the context of climate realism, Froman acknowledges the challenges but emphasizes the role of innovation and financial tools to scale up innovation in the private sector. These responses are needed to focus on reducing the effects of global warming.
