Emma L. Belcher

Emma Belcher was a 2010-2011 Stanton nuclear security fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR).

Previously, Dr. Belcher was a research fellow at Harvard University's Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs. She was a policy adviser to the Australian prime minister and cabinet on international and national security and a public affairs officer at the Embassy of Australia in Washington, DC.

Dr. Belcher holds a BA from the University of Melbourne, Australia, and MA and PhD degrees from Tufts University.

China

Religion in China
A significant proportion of China’s population claims to follow a religion. However, the government continues to toughen oversight, increase persecution of some religions, and attempt to co-opt state-sanctioned religious organizations.

Backgrounder by CFR.org Editors May 15, 2024

Japan

The U.S.-Japan Alliance
The alliance with Japan has been the cornerstone of U.S. security policy in East Asia for decades. Now, Japan’s role in global security is growing as challenges from China and North Korea mount.  

Backgrounder by CFR.org Editors May 3, 2024

United States

How U.S. Water Infrastructure Works
The sprawling U.S. water system is central to the nation’s economy, but chronic underinvestment, increasing demand, and the consequences of climate change have revealed the system’s weaknesses.  

Backgrounder by James McBride and Noah Berman May 2, 2024 Renewing America

Top Stories on CFR

Taiwan

Taiwan’s Democracy Is Thriving in China’s Shadow
Despite China’s growing pressure, Taiwan has developed one of the world’s strongest democracies—one that will be increasingly tested in the coming years. 

Blog Post by David Sacks May 13, 2024 Asia Unbound

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Beyond Watermarks: Content Integrity Through Tiered Defense

Watermarking is often discussed as a solution to the problems posed by AI-generated content. However, watermarking is inadequate without other methods of detecting and sorting out AI-generated content.

Blog Post by Kevin Klyman and Renée DiResta May 8, 2024 Net Politics

RealEcon

In Economic Security, Trade-Offs Abound
Policymakers face complex cost-benefit considerations when intervening in the market to mitigate perceived risks, from climate change to competition with China.

Article by Thomas J. Bollyky, Chloe Searchinger, Alice C. Hill, Zongyuan Zoe Liu and Benn Steil May 8, 2024