Americans are broadly favorable toward Japan, value the US alliance with the island nation, and see Japan as key to addressing regional challenges in East Asia, according to a new Council public opinion survey. Read more in this related Washington Post piece.
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In 1999, President Clinton launched “Plan Colombia,” a bipartisan US agreement to combat Colombia's drug cartels, boost its economy, and support the peace process ending 50 years of civil war. Last week, Council President Ivo Daalder traveled to Bogotá and Medellín to see how things were going. In This Week's Reads, he reports back on a country that is flourishing, "but also facing a somewhat uncertain future."
Read moreThe United States, United Kingdom, and France launched coordinated air strikes against Syria’s Russia-backed military on Saturday. To analyze the fallout, Council President Ivo Daalder and Greg Jaffe, national security reporter from The Washington Post, join this week’s Deep Dish podcast.
Listen to podcast
In what has been dubbed the “age of cities” where does the real power for change lie? While governments at the national level are encumbered by partisanship and budgetary challenges, cities have unleashed their dominance in driving innovation and growth on the world stage. This new concentration of power in urban centers, what Katz and Nowak describe as the “new localism,” has the potential to solve many of the challenges facing modern societies: economic growth, social inclusion, the challenge of diversity, and environmental sustainability. But, as the power and autonomy of cities continues to grow, what are the potential drawbacks of the new power dynamic?
Watch the video.
Even if the NAFTA talks concluded this week, there wouldn't be time for congressional deliberation as envisaged in the Trade Promotion Authority legislation, writes Phil Levy in Forbes. Despite the public optimism about the talks, the practical deadline for concluding negotiations and passing a new NAFTA under this Congress seems already to have come and gone.
The international community is seeking answers to a suspected chemical attack in Syria, and whether the Assad regime is responsible. Cécile Shea says if Assad did deploy chemical weapons, "that is an example of a nation violating a treaty that has been in force for 95 years, a general rule of law and fundamental strictures of humanity."
In just 60 seconds, Niall Ferguson, historian and political commentator, answers questions on networks, hierarchies, and Facebook.
Watch the video.This year's James Beard Foundation Leadership Award honorees discuss how fusing culinary excellence and sustainability can lead to a healthier, more equitable food system.
Sunday, May 6, 2018
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