Board Member

Richard L. Plepler

Richard L. Plepler

Founder and CEO, EDEN Productions

Richard L. Plepler is founder and CEO of EDEN Productions, a film and TV production company that was announced in January 2020 with the signing of a multiyear exclusive content deal with Apple TV+. EDEN has produced hit series for Apple TV+ such as The Problem with Jon Stewart, Lincoln's Dilemma, and Black Bird. Previously, Plepler was chairman and CEO of Home Box Office, Inc. (HBO) from 2013 to 2019, culminating twenty-eight years at the company. Under his leadership, HBO came to be associated with some of the most critically acclaimed programming on television. A particular focus of Plepler’s was documentaries; projects he commissioned include A World in Disarray, Cries from Syria, Panic: The Untold Story of the 2008 Financial Crisis, and The Diplomat.

He was inducted into the Cable Hall of Fame in 2018, was named Media Person of the Year by the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in 2014, earned the International Emmy Directorate Award for his impact on the industry from the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in 2015, and won the Variety Vanguard Award for contribution to the TV business in 2017.

 

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