Council on Foreign Relations• Mar 13, 2026• 3:01

2026 CFR National Retreat

From Council on Foreign Relations

Executive Summary

The Council on Foreign Relations hosted its first National Retreat in Nashville, Tennessee, to bridge the gap between national policy discussions and local communities.
The event highlights Nashville's growing importance as a national hub for the healthcare industry, emerging energy technologies like nuclear power, and culture (country music).
Key themes include the importance of local perspectives in shaping foreign policy, with specific discussions on the Asia-Pacific, critical minerals, and US-Latin America relations.
Featured speakers include former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and Senator Bill Haggerty, former U.S.
ambassador to Japan, underscoring the event's focus on high-level policy engagement outside of Washington D.C.

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Concerns Raised

The potential disconnect between abstract foreign policy debates in Washington D.C. and the concerns of local communities.
The risk of overlooking the expertise and influence of regions outside the traditional Northeast corridor.

Opportunities Identified

Leveraging regional expertise in key sectors like healthcare and energy to inform national strategy.
Strengthening national discourse by incorporating diverse, local perspectives into foreign policy conversations.
Building broader public support for international engagement by demonstrating its local relevance.

Key Themes

Bridging National and Local Perspectives

The retreat's primary goal is to move beyond the traditional policy centers of New York and Washington D.C. to engage directly with local communities. This approach aims to make abstract global issues more tangible and relevant to citizens and leaders across the country.

This strategy can foster broader public support and understanding for foreign policy initiatives by connecting them to local economic and social realities, ultimately leading to more robust and representative national policy.

The Rise of Regional Hubs

Nashville is presented as a case study for a region playing an increasingly significant role on the national stage. The city is recognized not just for its cultural capital in music but also as a major center for the healthcare industry and innovation in the energy sector.

Understanding the economic and technological strengths of regional hubs like Nashville is critical for identifying new opportunities for investment, partnership, and policy development in key national sectors.

Tennessee's Strategic Sectors

The discussion specifically highlights Tennessee's strategic importance in several key areas. These include its status as a major healthcare hub, its significant work on nuclear power and emerging energy technologies, and its demographic ties to Latin America and the Caribbean.

States like Tennessee are becoming crucial players in addressing national challenges related to healthcare infrastructure, energy independence, and international relations, making them important focal points for analysts and policymakers.

The Intersection of Foreign Policy and Domestic Concerns

The event connects international topics, such as relations with Japan and the sourcing of critical minerals, to the interests of a regional American audience. It demonstrates how global affairs directly impact local economies and communities.

Framing foreign policy through the lens of domestic impact is essential for building a durable consensus and ensuring that international strategy serves the interests of the American people.

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Topics

Nashville Tennessee Council on Foreign Relations Foreign Policy Local Politics Regional Hubs Healthcare Industry Energy Technology Nuclear Power US-Latin America Relations US-Japan Relations Asia-Pacific Critical Minerals Bill Frist Bill Haggerty

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