These three expert-driven shortform explainer videos distill complex foreign policy topics into engaging, accessible narratives optimized for social media platforms. Produced by a small, interdisciplinary team, the videos leverage the deep expertise of Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) fellows to inform the public about U.S. policy decisions with global consequences.
Each video explores a timely development in U.S. foreign policy under President Donald Trump—including his use of IEEPA to impose tariffs on Canada and Mexico, his cryptocurrency strategy, and the fallout from his Oval Office meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Rather than react to breaking news, our goal was to provide context: to explain what happened, why it mattered, and how it fit into the broader global picture—a key differentiator in today’s fast-moving digital news landscape.
Our workflow was collaborative and expert-centric. The video team works closely with CFR’s social and editorial teams to pitch topics, conduct interviews with CFR fellows, and craft concise, visual-first scripts rooted in trusted analysis. By distilling our experts’ insights into short, compelling narratives, we’re able to offer viewers original takes on nuanced, often underreported sides of issues.
These videos are designed with clarity, credibility, and creativity in mind. We blend thoughtful storytelling with engaging design elements, allowing us to meet audiences where they are and capture their attention. Above all, we aim to equip viewers with the knowledge they need to better understand the foreign policy decisions shaping today’s world.
