State of Play

Have Politics Jeopardized the Ebola Response?

The current Ebola outbreak comes after major cuts in humanitarian and health aid and is spreading in a deeply insecure environment. This week, Steve Morrison and Michaela Simoneau of the CSIS Global Health Policy Center join Will to discuss the degree to which politics have hampered the response. They assess the global response to date, the impact of the Trump administration’s policies, and the challenges of the local context. * J. Stephen Morrison and Michaela Simoneau, "Managing DRC’s Ebola Crisis [https://www.csis.org/analysis/managing-drcs-ebola-crisis]," CSIS, June 18, 2026. * J. Stephen Morrison, "Dr. Salim Abdool Karim, Chair, Africa CDC Emergency Consultative Group: "Congolese doctors know how to treat Ebola patients [https://www.csis.org/podcasts/commonhealth/dr-salim-abdool-karim-chair-africa-cdc-emergency-consultative-group-congolese]," CSIS, June 22, 2026. * Elizabeth Cameron and J. Stephen Morrison, "America knows how to defeat Ebola [https://uvamillercenter.substack.com/p/america-knows-how-to-defeat-ebola]" UVA Miller Center, June 29, 2026. * "Ebola in America: Epidemic of Fear [https://www.csis.org/programs/global-health-policy-center/videos/ghpc-videos/ebola-america-epidemic-fear]" CSIS, May 19, 2016

Was the G7 Summit in France a Success?

The G7 Summit may have defied expectations. President Trump stayed until the end, there were no big bust-ups, and lots of joint policy statements. Victor Cha, Kristi Govella, Phil Luck, and Caitlin Welsh join Will to assess how meaningful the outcomes were, what the summit tells us about the United States’ relationship with its allies, and what the value of the G7 is in the evolving international order. * Victor Cha, "Who Are G7’s Top Performers? [https://www.csis.org/analysis/who-are-g7s-top-performers]" CSIS, June 12, 2026. * CSIS scholars, "Press Briefing: Previewing the G7 Summit [https://www.csis.org/analysis/press-briefing-previewing-g7-summit-1]," CSIS, June 9, 2026.

Trump's Iran Deal: What Comes Next?

The United States and Iran announced a framework deal that includes a 60-day ceasefire and reopens the Strait of Hormuz. CSIS Middle East Program experts Mona Yacoubian, Michael Ratney, Paul Salem, and Susan Ziadeh assess the winners and losers of the deal, what challenges lie ahead, and what it means for the emerging order in the Middle East.

How Should the United States Counter the CRINK Axis?

The recent Xi–Kim summit has further strengthened ties between China and North Korea, with potential implications for the broader dynamics among the CRINK countries and regional security. Dr. Victor Cha, Igor Khrestin, Joseph Kim, and Dr. Maria Snegovaya will join host Will Todman to discuss CRINK’s key vulnerabilities and examine U.S. policy recommendations for addressing the challenges the grouping poses to democracy, human rights, economic security, and national security. The discussion will draw on the GWBI’s recent report on CRINK and explore the implications of growing alignment among these authoritarian actors.

Is Ukraine Turning the Tide?

Four years into the war, Ukraine may finally have the upper hand. Will speaks with Max Bergmann and Maria Snegovaya about their recent trip to Kyiv, Ukraine's key advantages, Russia's challenges, and if the shifting balance of power means the war may finally end soon. * Max Bergmann and Maria Snegovaya, "War, Inflation, and Putin's Paranoia: has Russian Public Opinion Begun to Shift? [https://www.csis.org/podcasts/russian-roulette/war-inflation-and-putins-paranoia-has-russian-public-opinion-begun-shift]" CSIS, May 14, 2026. * Max Bergmann and Donatienne Ruy, "Reflections from Ukraine, Crisis in the UK, and the EU's Corruption-Fighting Toolkit ft. Kövesi [https://www.csis.org/podcasts/eurofile/reflections-ukraine-crisis-uk-and-eus-corruption-fighting-toolkit-ft-kovesi]," CSIS, May 22, 2026.