Abigail McGowan

CFR Staff

Abigail McGowan

Research Associate, Southeast Asia and U.S. Foreign Policy

Abi McGowan is a research associate for Southeast Asia and U.S. foreign policy at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). Before joining CFR, she served as an AmeriCorps member and interned with the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, the U.S. Department of State, and the House of Commons of Canada. She received her BA from the Ohio State University and an MA in Global Security and Borders from Queen's University Belfast, where she was a Hillary Rodham Clinton Scholar. 

 

Most Recent

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

China

Virtual Media Briefing: U.S. Tariffs on Chinese Imports

Play
CFR experts discuss President Joe Biden’s decision to increase tariffs on various Chinese imports and the implications for the U.S. economy and U.S.-China relations. 

Virtual Event with Zongyuan Zoe Liu, Brad W. Setser and Matthew P. Goodman May 16, 2024 Media Briefings

Myanmar

Will 2024 Be the Junta’s End in Myanmar?
Myanmar’s civil war between resistance groups and the ruling military junta has reached a decisive phase.

Blog Post by Joshua Kurlantzick May 15, 2024 Asia Unbound

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