Allison J. Smith

CFR Staff

Allison J. Smith

Associate Director, Global Economics

Allison J. Smith is associate director for global economics at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), where she works with the director of CFR’s Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies on RealEcon: Reimagining American Economic Leadership. Before joining CFR, Smith worked as a consultant conducting anti-money laundering investigations and as a paralegal in the areas of commercial litigation and criminal defense. Smith holds a BA in international relations and Russian from Beloit College and an MA in international relations from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.

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