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, Douglas J. Feith, Aaron David Miller

Deep Dish: Bibi Netanyahu and the US-Israel Relationship

Prime Minister Netanyahu faces corruption charges ahead of Israel’s election and the subsequent rollout of President Trump’s Mideast peace plan. Douglas J. Feith and Aaron David Miller join Deep Dish to discuss what it all means for US-Israel relations.

| By Brian Hanson, Cameron Munter, Tanvi Madan

Deep Dish: India and Pakistan Clash in Kashmir

Tensions between two nuclear powers have escalated in recent days. Former US Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter and Tanvi Madan of the Brookings Institution explain the brinkmanship.

| By Madeleine Nicholson

Sustainable Food Systems: A View from the Midwest

Today, there are nearly 8 billion people on the planet, meaning nearly 8 billion people in need of daily nutritional sustenance. This presents new challenges that threaten our fragile global food system.

| By John Austin

Global Engagement Key Driver of Midwest Prosperity

The Midwest was America’s first frontier, then the foundation of the country’s agricultural and industrial might. It was the birthplace of great industries and a mecca for migrants seeking a better life and new economic opportunity. As the region forged America’s middle class, much of its success resulted from robust global engagement through trade, immigration, and partnerships.

Wait Just a Minute: Lesley Lokko

In our this episode, architect and novelist Lesley Lokko explains urbanism, the importance of culture in cities, and how architecture contributes to a city's culture.

| 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.

Pages