The Chicago Council for Global Affairs

 Food and Agriculture
Hunger Is a Weapon of War. Food Can Help Prevent It.
In the News Foreign Policy Ertharin Cousin
As the ongoing conflict in Yemen shows, it’s time to fight starvation not only on humanitarian grounds but as an essential component of military and foreign policy.
Defense and Security
SolarWinds Breach: Senate Hearings Begin While Americans Support Retaliatory Actions
Blog Running Numbers by Brendan Helm
President Biden speaks at the US Department of State
President Biden speaks at the US Department of State President Biden speaks at the US Department of State
President Biden speaks at the US Department of State
Feb
26
REUTERS
World Review: US Middle East Policy, Australia & Big Tech, SolarWinds
Virtual World Review
Register Today
NIH National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Anthony Fauci addresses the daily press briefing at the White House in Washington, U.S. January 21, 2021.
NIH National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Anthony Fauci addresses the daily press briefing at the White House in Washington, U.S. January 21, 2021.
Mar
18
Reuters
Pursuing Equity
Virtual Pritzker Forum on Global Cities
Anthony Fauci, Pete Buttigieg, Marcella Nunez-Smith, and other leading experts explore how to build fairer, healthier cities now and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Register Today
Then US Vice President Joe Biden visits Observation Post Ouellette inside the DMZ, the military border separating the two Koreas, in Panmunjom in 2013.
Then US Vice President Joe Biden visits Observation Post Ouellette inside the DMZ, the military border separating the two Koreas, in Panmunjom in 2013. Then US Vice President Joe Biden visits Observation Post Ouellette inside the DMZ, the military border separating the two Koreas, in Panmunjom in 2013.
Then US Vice President Joe Biden visits Observation Post Ouellette inside the DMZ, the military border separating the two Koreas, in Panmunjom in 2013.
Defense and Security
REUTERS
Preventing Nuclear Proliferation and Reassuring America's Allies
RESEARCH Report by Multiple Authors
Food and Agriculture
Reuters
Will India's Farmers Rein in Modi's Power?
Podcast Deep Dish Podcast
Upcoming Events
We’re here to help you understand the world around you. All events are virtual right now due to COVID-19. We look forward to seeing you in person in the future.

Amplifying Black History for Structural Change and Unity

Virtual
Women, Equity, and Global Development Forum

Learning the lessons of Black History Month can highlight opportunities for addressing structural racism and systemic inequity.

Register Today
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Raphael Warnock visits a mural at Elizabeth Porter Historic Monument, the site of an African American hospital, on election day
Reuters
Feb
25

Amplifying Black History for Structural Change and Unity

Virtual
Women, Equity, and Global Development Forum

Learning the lessons of Black History Month can highlight opportunities for addressing structural racism and systemic inequity.

Register Today
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Raphael Warnock visits a mural at Elizabeth Porter Historic Monument, the site of an African American hospital, on election day
Reuters
Feb
25

The Race to Destroy Syria's Deadliest Weapons

Virtual

Two-time Pulitzer Prize-winner Joby Warrick describes the chaotic consequences of America's largely unknown efforts to find and destroy Syria's vast chemical weapons stockpile.

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U.N. chemical weapons experts prepare before collecting samples from one of the sites of an alleged chemical weapons attack in Zamalka
Reuters
Mar
1

Debate the Future of Data as Currency

Virtual
Cocktails and Conversation

YP members are invited to participate in a live debate on the future of personal data as currency. Attendees will work together with fellow YPs to create a persuasive argument for their assigned position.

Register Today
Screenshot of zoom meeting with Council YP members
Mar
4

Building Gender Equality Through Inclusive Foreign Policy

Virtual
Women, Equity, and Global Development Forum

In honor of International Women’s Day, experts analyze why building a more gender-equal world through feminist foreign policy is key to pandemic recovery.

Register Today
French President Macron holds consultative talks ahead of G7 summit meeting in Paris
Reuters
Mar
5
Video from Past Events
Illuminated Olympic rings are displayed before the new national stadium
Illuminated Olympic rings are displayed before the new national stadium
Aflo
Play the video
Promoting a More Equitable World Through Sports
PAST EVENT VIDEO Women, Equity, and Global Development Forum
A panel of experts examines how sports diplomacy can build gender and racial equity around the world.
A woman adjusts a Chinese national flag next to US national flags
A woman adjusts a Chinese national flag next to US national flags A woman adjusts a Chinese national flag next to US national flags
A woman adjusts a Chinese national flag next to US national flags
Reuters
The Evolution of China-US Relations in 2021
PAST EVENT VIDEO
Vials with a sticker reading, "COVID-19 / Coronavirus vaccine / Injection only" are seen in front of a displayed U.S. dollar banknote with George Washington and a printed mask
Vials with a sticker reading, "COVID-19 / Coronavirus vaccine / Injection only" are seen in front of a displayed U.S. dollar banknote with George Washington and a printed mask Vials with a sticker reading, "COVID-19 / Coronavirus vaccine / Injection only" are seen in front of a displayed U.S. dollar banknote with George Washington and a printed mask
Vials with a sticker reading, "COVID-19 / Coronavirus vaccine / Injection only" are seen in front of a displayed U.S. dollar banknote with George Washington and a printed mask
Reuters
The Fed's Outlook as Vaccine Rollout Shifts into High Gear
PAST EVENT VIDEO Global Economy Series

Apply to the 2022 Class of Emerging Leaders

Every year we select a class of approximately 20 participants from across Chicago’s business, cultural, civic, and academic sectors. The 2022 application is now open, until March 8, 2021.
Four Emerging Leaders, presenting their findings during a public program.

Commentary and Analysis

An unarmed Trident II D5 missile is test-launched from the ballistic missile submarine USS Nebraska
An unarmed Trident II D5 missile is test-launched from the ballistic missile submarine USS Nebraska
Defense and Security
REUTERS
When Allies Go Nuclear
In the News Foreign Affairs Multiple Authors
Chuck Hagel, Malcolm Rifkind, Kevin Rudd, and Ivo Daalder, cochairs of a Council task force, offer recommendations on how to prevent nuclear proliferation and reassure America's allies.
Pre-pandemic New York City
Pre-pandemic New York City Pre-pandemic New York City
Pre-pandemic New York City
Global Cities
Luca Bravo
Why We Don’t Believe the Big City Obituary
In the News Bloomberg Multiple Authors
Protestors take to the streets in Yangon to protest a military coup.
Protestors take to the streets in Yangon to protest a military coup. Protestors take to the streets in Yangon to protest a military coup.
Protestors take to the streets in Yangon to protest a military coup.
Global Politics
Reuters
Myanmar's Democratic Transition is Failing. What Now?
Podcast Deep Dish Podcast
US, Afghan Troops Check on Town of Yawez
US, Afghan Troops Check on Town of Yawez US, Afghan Troops Check on Town of Yawez
US, Afghan Troops Check on Town of Yawez
US Foreign Policy
Sgt. Russell Gilchrest
How to End the 'Forever War' in Afghanistan
Podcast Deep Dish Podcast

Research

An image of the White House seen at night.
Lester Crown Center on US Foreign Policy
2020 Chicago Council Survey
RESEARCH Public Opinion Survey by Multiple Authors

Dina Smeltz, Ivo H. Daalder, Karl Friedhoff, Craig Kafura, and Brendan Helm analyze data finding Democrats and Republicans are divided in their views on top threats to United States and how the country should address global challenges and engage internationally. 

Midwestern bridge
Center on Global Cities
Rebuilding the Midwest's Infrastructure
RESEARCH Report by Multiple Authors

John Austin and Alexander Hitch examine policies and priorities to drive equitable economic recovery in the Midwest in a world reshaped by COVID-19.

Vegetables are displayed for sale at a stand at Surquillo market in Lima, Peru.
Center on Global Food and Agriculture
REUTERS
Centering Global Food Security for Global Prosperity
RESEARCH Working Paper by Multiple Authors

Catherine Bertini and Ertharin Cousin are co-leads on a paper offering the Biden Administration recommendations for the US government to build on a strong foundation of food and nutrition security programs to alleviate global hunger and malnutrition.

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Membership has its benefits

As a Council member, you can increase your global acumen and cultural intelligence to stay ahead, mingle with other members, network to find professional connections, and support the idea of US engagement in global affairs right here in Chicago. Learn about membership benefits