October 5, 2016

Salam Al-Marayati on the Biggest Global Issue Facing the Next President

Salam Al-Marayati, president and cofounder of the Muslim Public Affairs Council, spoke at the Council's Sept. 23 event, "Rebalancing Immigration and National Security." There, we sat down one-on-one with him to inquire what he thought was the biggest foreign policy or global issue facing the next president. Find out what he said.

 

"One of the main issues that's going to face the next president—and probably the next three or four presidents—is going to be the issue of terrorism and how we handle the problem of terrorism. And rather than dealing with it as a symptom, we should look at it as: 'What are the root causes that lead to that symptom?' And one major issue is the lack of strong, central governance, especially in the Middle East. If you look at the issue of, for example, ISIS, and how it spawned in an area where there is no strong, central government. It's either a dictatorship or there's anarchy. And from that you have a rise of militias, gangs, and terrorist groups. So dealing with central governance, and helping the people form a strong apparatus for self-governance, I think will help stem the tide of terrorism over there and make America a partner with the people in dealing with that problem of terrorism."

About

The Chicago Council on Global Affairs is an independent, nonpartisan organization that provides insight – and influences the public discourse – on critical global issues. We convene leading global voices and conduct independent research to bring clarity and offer solutions to challenges and opportunities across the globe. The Council is committed to engaging the public and raising global awareness of issues that transcend borders and transform how people, business, and governments engage the world.

The Chicago Council on Global Affairs is an independent, nonpartisan organization. All statements of fact and expressions of opinion in blog posts are the sole responsibility of the individual author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Council.

Archive

| By Brian Hanson, Lynda Obst, Orville Schell

Deep Dish: China's Blockbuster Influence in Hollywood

The 91st Academy Awards take place on Sunday in Los Angeles, but international markets, led by China, have eclipsed the domestic market in importance for the US movie industry, rewriting the rules about what kinds of films get made.

| By Ivo H. Daalder

Deep Divisions Across the Atlantic

Returning from the annual Munich Security Conference in Germany, Council President Ivo Daalder concludes that both sides of the transatlantic relationship have given up even pretending that the relationship is strong.

Wait Just a Minute: John Mearsheimer

In this episode, John Mearsheimer, University of Chicago professor and co-director of the university’s Program on International Security Policy, explains what he thinks is wrong with the liberal hegemonic worldview, why he believes realism serves as a better lens, and whom he’d most like to debate on the subject.

| By Brian Hanson, Sophie Pedder, Benjamin Haddad

Deep Dish: France’s Yellow Vest Protests Explained

Protesters in high-visibility vests have taken to the streets in France for weeks. Sophie Pedder of The Economist and Benjamin Haddad of the Atlantic Council explain what the demonstrations mean for France and Europe.

| By Juliana Kerr

In Memory of Mrs. Margaret S. Hart

Mrs. Margaret S. Hart passed away on Sunday, January 27, 2019. She was an important donor of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs for over 50+ years and a wonderful partner in building a program series focused on Latin America.

Wait Just a Minute: US Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi

In this episode, US Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, a Council Emerging Leader Program alum,  answers questions on the top global challenges facing the United States and what issues will be the most important during the 2020 presidential race.

Pages