“There is a big landscape out there of people who want stability, safety, accountability, freedom of choice, the ability to choose their leaders,” @NDI President Tamara Cofman Wittes shared with a Council audience last week. “And I think that’s not only good for them and not only good for democracy, but also good for America’s role in the world.” Watch the full program on America’s role in the world with Wittes, @IRIglobal President @DCTwining, and Council President and CEO @londonvinjamuri: bit.ly/4Ax7VKz

In a time of increasing global volatility, do people still strive to be in a democracy? @DCTwining, whose work as president of the @IRIglobal takes him around the world, believes that is still a universal human aspiration. “Everywhere we go, people are wanting to express themselves, to have voice, to have democratic dignity, to build out civic space, to be free,” he said onstage at the Chicago Council Conference Center last night. Watch his full conversation alongside @NDI President Tamara Cofman Wittes and Council President and CEO @londonvinjamuri: bit.ly/4Ax7VKz

The Council is excited to announce Leading Forward, a new half-day intensive series built for early career professionals who want to do more than talk about the world’s biggest challenges. In a single afternoon, participants build a concrete leadership skill; dig into a specific, timely global issue with a leading expert; and leave with real relationships with peers across the private, public, and nonprofit sectors ready to act on what they learn. On November 13, Council Distinguished Nonresident Fellow and nuclear expert Deborah Rosenblum will join the first intensive and lead participants for an afternoon spent working through one of the most consequential energy questions of the decade: the expansion of nuclear power. They will work through the opportunities and tradeoffs of a nuclear buildout, while also learning how to write an executive memo and practicing how to deliver an executive report-out, a skill every rising leader needs regardless of industry. Alongside the content, participants will connect with peers through substantive conversation and a hands-on skills workshop built to create lasting, cross-sector relationships. Learn more about the Leading Forward series and register to attend on our website: bit.ly/4jzB8i8

At the Warsaw Security Forum, American and European officials appeared to agree Russia’s war against Ukraine must be ended. But internal divisions, domestic tensions, and impending elections made for a more measured response and dampened energies on other matters. Where does the transatlantic alliance go from here? "The transatlantic relationship might be incredibly important at a headline level," Council President and CEO @londonvinjamuri said. "But are the publics in the United States and across Europe willing to make the trade-off—and they do see it as a trade-off—that it takes to secure and make possible those investments?" More: bit.ly/4z9fE0u

America's Place in the World: Global Volatility and Authoritarianism xitter.cf/i/broadcasts/1kKzDPRdp…

The United States has spent decades using economic sanctions and export controls to pressure its adversaries. Now, China, Iran, and even the European Union are adopting similar tactics. The use of these tools once "seemed completely like breaking that emergency fire alarm," @Georgetown University Professor @ANewman_forward said on this week's episode of Deep Dish. Then "they become regularized and they become normal." Newman joined Council President and CEO @londonvinjamuri to explain why countries are now in an “arms race to collect the chokepoints” of the global economy and how the growing competition could leave everyone less secure and more vulnerable. Out now: bit.ly/47AnjJ6

How is the United Kingdom navigating significant change in an uncertain world? On Monday afternoon, former UK Foreign Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister @DavidLammy joins Council President and CEO @londonvinjamuri for a live recording of the Deep Dish on Global Affairs podcast to explore British politics, foreign policy, and the future of the special relationship. Register to attend in-person or virtually today: bit.ly/4z2pHEg

As Russia’s war in Ukraine continues, Council polling finds the US public remains supportive of sending military and economic aid to Kyiv and in favor of boosting sanctions against Moscow. Explore the data ➡️ bit.ly/3W0eVA3

Do democratic values advantage America and its allies in today’s geopolitical competition? Tomorrow evening, join @IRIglobal President @DCTwining, @NDI President Tamara Cofman Wittes, and Council President and CEO @londonvinjamuri for a discussion of how the US can tackle the challenges posed by authoritarian rivals and maintain the support of the American people in doing so.​​​ Register to attend in-person or virtually: bit.ly/4Ax7VKz

Following the Warsaw Security Forum, Council President Leslie Vinjamuri (@londonvinjamuri) and Council Vice President of Research Ariane Tabatabai examine NATO’s deterrence strategy and the political divisions facing the alliance. bit.ly/4ibOPBt

Last week was another busy one in Chicago for the Council. While part of our team was in Poland for the Warsaw Security Forum, colleagues here in Chicago brought members and experts together for conversations spanning US-China relations, food insecurity, national security, and more. A few highlights from the week’s programming: Roundtable with Congressman Jason Crow (@RepJasonCrow) on the Use of Force: Congressman Crow joined Council Senior Advisor to the CEO Eric Pierce to discuss national security and the use of force. Abiding Hunger: Why Food Insecurity Persists in America: Devita Davison, Amy Laboy, @RogerThurow, and Catherine Bertini (@C_A_Bertini) examined why food insecurity persists despite America’s extraordinary abundance and what can be done to expand reliable access to food. Roundtable with Jonathan Cheng (@JChengWSJ): The @WSJ’s China Bureau Chief joined Council members for a private discussion on US-China relations and his experiences as a journalist in Asia. Emerging Leaders Session with Congressman Sean Casten (@RepCasten): The Class of 2026 joined US Representative Casten for a discussion on economic uncertainty and the reshaping of the workforce. Young Professionals Network Happy Hour: YP members gathered at @united headquarters for an evening of networking and connection. The Council’s fall programming continues with a full slate of conversations on the issues shaping our world. Explore our upcoming events and join us for a discussion: bit.ly/4jsZGJz

With the midterm elections weeks away, how might the results shift US foreign policy? Council Distinguished Nonresident Fellow Evan Medeiros shared his thoughts in a virtual program yesterday, comparing this moment to the midterms in 2018. "A Congress that is a different party than the president rarely reverses the president's foreign policy outright, but usually what it does is it raises the cost through investigations, funding conditions, personal fights, [and] symbolic votes." Watch the full conversation with Medeiros, Council Senior Nonresident Fellow Armida van Rij, Council Vice President of Research for Security and Defense Ariane Tabatabai, and Council President and CEO @londonvinjamuri: bit.ly/4s7bp2I

Who decides whether the United States goes to war? @RepJasonCrow (D-CO) says the balance has tipped: “Far too much power resides within the presidency now, and it's time for Congress to step up and take back its duty and its responsibility." Crow joined the Council for a private roundtable chaired by Council Senior Advisor to the CEO Eric Pierce to discuss the War Powers Resolution, the use of force under US law, and the military’s evolving global posture.

Whatever the outcome, the 2026 midterms will help set the political terrain for American foreign policy over the next two years. The results could reshape debates over trade, defense spending, support for Ukraine, and relations with allies, while offering new clues about which foreign policy priorities have public support and political staying power. What will the new balance of power mean for US foreign policy? Where might the election reinforce the direction Washington is already heading, and where could it force a change in course? And what should allies and adversaries take away from the results? On November 5, join @Princeton's John Ikenberry, @CFR_org's @CharlesKupchan and @shannonkoneil, @PIIE's @AdamPosen, and Council President and CEO @londonvinjamuri for a conversation on what the midterms mean for the next chapter of American foreign policy. Register to attend in-person or virtually today: bit.ly/4yTyYyF

Armida van Rij, Evan Medeiros, Ariane Tabatabai, and Leslie Vinjamuri discuss what is at stake for US foreign policy and the world in the upcoming midterm elections. xitter.cf/i/broadcasts/1XxygwjNB…

"Here's the headline: food insecurity isn't a character flaw. It is a household budget that doesn't add up," @FeedingAmerica's Devita Davison shared on the Council stage last night. On #WorldFoodDay, watch her full conversation with author and former Council fellow @RogerThurow, @FoodDepository's Amy Laboy, and Council Distinguished Fellow @C_A_Bertini on why food insecurity persists despite America’s extraordinary abundance and what can be done to expand reliable access to food: bit.ly/4xLlDHl

Today is #WorldFoodDay, a day for promoting innovation and action towards reliable, affordable, and nutritious food for people everywhere. At a Council event last night, author and former Council fellow Roger Thurow argued for renewed efforts towards ending hunger as America celebrates its 250th year. "The first Declaration of Independence was from  the oppression and tyranny of foreign rulers. Now we need a new Declaration of Independence from the tyranny of hunger in our own country." Watch the full conversation with @RogerThurow, @FeedingAmerica's Devita Davison, @FoodDepository's Amy Laboy, and Council Distinguished Fellow @C_A_Bertini: bit.ly/4xLlDHl

"As an organization created and empowered by nations, the UN can only ever be as good as its Member States—collectively—make possible," Council Lester Crown Senior Nonresident Fellow @SuzanneNossel writes in a new white paper for the Starling Institute. Read more ⤵️ bit.ly/4sih8Tp