Saudi Arabia says Lebanon and Iran have declared war on it. Meanwhile, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman has initiated the arrest of dozens of royal family members, officials, and business executives in an anti-corruption sweep. This week's Deep Dish looks at what's going on and explains it within the larger context of geopolitical trends in the region.
Deep Dish: Saudi Arabia Escalations
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Archive
This Week's Reads - The Macron-Trump Bromance—Does It Matter?
The question overshadowing Emmanuel Macron's state visit was whether Macron’s good relationship can translate into influence on the direction of US policy.
This Week's Reads - In Colombia, Bipartisan Bet Pays Off
It’s rare these days to see bipartisan agreement on any foreign policy issues. But assistance to Colombia is one of the bright exceptions.
Deep Dish: What Did the Syria Strike Accomplish?
The United States, joined by allies the United Kingdom and France, struck Syria last week in response to a chemical weapons attack. Deep Dish this week asks what were the goals of this air strike, and did it achieve them?
Wait Just a Minute: Niall Ferguson
In just 60 seconds, Niall Ferguson, historian and political commentator, answers questions on networks, hierarchies, and Facebook. Watch the full talk on his new book, The Square and the Tower.
This Week's Reads: Springtime for Illiberalism
Illiberalism thrives when popular concerns about external threats are directed toward internal institutions and protections. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's reelection used this ideology to reject the "other" and establish deeper illiberal roots in Central Europe.
Deep Dish: What's at Stake in Syria Strike
President Trump said Syria would pay a "high price" if it is confirmed that the Assad regime deployed chemical weapons in the attack on Douma, Syria. Deep Dish weighs what his options and the consequences are for such a price.
Lessons from a Global Affairs Limerick Competition
In the lead-up to our "Poets of the Podium: The Art of Speechwriting" program with the Poetry Foundation, the Council hosted a global affairs limerick competition - quite possibly the first ever of its kind. Now, having pored through the prose, here are our five wholly un-academic takeaways.
Deep Dish: How John Bolton Might Cause the Next Iran-Contra Affair
National Security Council alums from both sides of the aisle sit down to look at what responsibilities and challenges President Trump's new National Security Advisor will face on the job.
Honoring M. Cherif Bassiouni
Niamh King, vice president for programs and strategic content at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, briefly recounts a few of Cherif Bassiouni’s appearances at the Council and highlight the moments and insights that have stayed with her.
Deep Dish: Battleground Syria - Human Impacts of Political Violence
In this episode, we pause to consider the real human lives impacted by the headlines we read about Syria.
This Week's Reads - John Bolton's Balancing Act Goes Back to Ronald Reagan
John Bolton’s task will be to balance the roles of process manager and presidential counselor better than his predecessors did. That may prove challenging.
Deep Dish: Terrorism in Cyberspace
Social media, the internet of things, and the dark web are the latest battlegrounds in a new era of asymmetrical warfare. Premier cyberterrorism expert Gabriel Weimann joins Deep Dish to discuss how terrorists and bad actors use cyber networks to recruit members, spread propaganda, and cause physical harm.
This Week's Reads - Putin on a Roll
No one can doubt that Russia is acting like a major international threat, and Vladmir Putin's reelection means that the threat is here to stay. Fortunately, we are seeing signs of the West beginning to step up.
Deep Dish: Inside the State Department
Ambassador Barbara Stephenson is president of the American Foreign Service Association.
This Week's Reads - Let's Talk About North Korea
As diplomacy gets underway in preparing for the historic meeting between President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, it is important to note how unusual this entire process has been.