The Chicago Council for Global Affairs

The World Needs You

The Chicago Council on Global Affairs is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization committed to empowering you to help create a more open and promising world for all. We put you at the center of conversations on global challenges, amplify your views on critical issues, and illuminate our world and how we are all connected.
Learn more about us.
Event attendees mingling after an event.
Video Series World Review with Ivo Daalder
Trump's Expansionist Ambitions and Tech Titans' Disruptions
Elon Musk greets President-elect Donald Trump as he arrives at a SpaceX test flight from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas on November 19, 2024. Elon Musk greets President-elect Donald Trump as he arrives at a SpaceX test flight from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas on November 19, 2024. Elon Musk greets President-elect Donald Trump as he arrives at a SpaceX test flight from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas on November 19, 2024. Elon Musk greets President-elect Donald Trump as he arrives at a SpaceX test flight from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas on November 19, 2024. US Foreign Policy
Brandon Bell / AP
Play the video
Ravi Agrawal, Susan Glasser, and Philip Stephens join Ivo Daalder to discuss the week's top news stories.
Syrians display a giant "revolutionary" Syrian flag during a celebratory demonstration following the first Friday prayers since Bashar Assad's ouster, in Damascus' central square, Syria, on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. Syrians display a giant "revolutionary" Syrian flag during a celebratory demonstration following the first Friday prayers since Bashar Assad's ouster, in Damascus' central square, Syria, on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. Syrians display a giant "revolutionary" Syrian flag during a celebratory demonstration following the first Friday prayers since Bashar Assad's ouster, in Damascus' central square, Syria, on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. Syrians display a giant "revolutionary" Syrian flag during a celebratory demonstration following the first Friday prayers since Bashar Assad's ouster, in Damascus' central square, Syria, on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024.
Jan
16
Leo Correa / AP
Rebuilding Syria
Hybrid EVENT
Register Now
President Jimmy Carter meets with civic leaders from Georgia and Florida at the White House in Washington to explain his new Panama Canal treaty President Jimmy Carter meets with civic leaders from Georgia and Florida at the White House in Washington to explain his new Panama Canal treaty President Jimmy Carter meets with civic leaders from Georgia and Florida at the White House in Washington to explain his new Panama Canal treaty President Jimmy Carter meets with civic leaders from Georgia and Florida at the White House in Washington to explain his new Panama Canal treaty US Foreign Policy
Harvey Georges / AP
Jimmy Carter's Values-Based Foreign Policy Wasn't a Failure
In the News World Politics Review Paul Poast

Explore Public Opinion Research

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks at the Ronald Reagan Institute on the sideline of NATO Summit Public Opinion
Jose Luis Magana / AP
US Opinion Leaders Support Continued Aid to Ukraine
RESEARCH Public Opinion Survey

While opinion leaders across party lines—as well as Democrats and Independents among the public—support continued assistance to Kyiv, everyday Republicans stand out in their opposition.

Israeli soldiers take up positions next to an entrance of a tunnel in Gaza Public Opinion
Leo Correa / AP
US Opinion Leaders Deeply Divided on Israel-Gaza War
RESEARCH Public Opinion Survey

When it comes to the conflict in the Middle East, American foreign policy professionals are more divided along partisan lines than the general public.

Soldiers from NATO countries hold their respective flags Public Opinion
Mindaugas Kulbis / AP
Americans Largely Support Using US Troops to Defend Allies
RESEARCH Public Opinion Survey by Karl Friedhoff

The public also remains in favor of maintaining long-term military bases abroad.

Introducing the Emerging Leaders Class of 2025

Selected from a pool of highly competitive applicants, the Council's 2025 class of the Emerging Leaders Program includes 21 of Chicago’s best and brightest from some of its most prominent organizations.
Meet the Class
Headshots of the Emerging Leaders class of 2025
Upcoming Events
We're here to help you understand what's happening in the world no matter where you are in the world. Join us for in-person and hybrid events.

A Conversation with Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias

Hybrid EVENT

Join us for a conversation with Greece’s Defense Minister Nikos Dendias as we discuss the country’s expanding strategic role.

Register Today
Greece's Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias (right) speaks with Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani during a EU foreign ministers meeting on May 22, 2023.
Virginia Mayo / AP
Jan
24

A Conversation with Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias

Hybrid EVENT

Join us for a conversation with Greece’s Defense Minister Nikos Dendias as we discuss the country’s expanding strategic role.

Register Today
Greece's Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias (right) speaks with Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani during a EU foreign ministers meeting on May 22, 2023.
Virginia Mayo / AP
Jan
24

Diplomacy or Discord? US-Mexico Relations at a Crossroads

Hybrid EVENT

Join us for a discussion on how Mexico and the US will navigate their partnership as both countries face decisions on trade, migration, and security cooperation.

Register Today
A boy looks through a border wall separating Mexico from the United States from Tijuana, Mexico.
Gregory Bull / AP
Jan
29
Video from Past Events
PAST EVENT Global Leadership Awards Dinner
Global Leadership Awards Dinner 2024
Global Leadership Honorees accepting their awards on stage Global Leadership Honorees accepting their awards on stage
Ana Miyares Photography
Honoring U.S. Ambassador Rahm Emanuel, President of United Airlines Brett Hart, and Emerging Leader alumna Shoba Pillay.
Suzanne Maloney of the Brookings Institution leads a conversation with Behnam Ben Taleblu of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and Michael Singh of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy on how the outcome of the US presidential election may shape US policy toward Iran and the broader Middle East. Suzanne Maloney of the Brookings Institution leads a conversation with Behnam Ben Taleblu of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and Michael Singh of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy on how the outcome of the US presidential election may shape US policy toward Iran and the broader Middle East. Suzanne Maloney of the Brookings Institution leads a conversation with Behnam Ben Taleblu of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and Michael Singh of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy on how the outcome of the US presidential election may shape US policy toward Iran and the broader Middle East. Suzanne Maloney of the Brookings Institution leads a conversation with Behnam Ben Taleblu of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and Michael Singh of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy on how the outcome of the US presidential election may shape US policy toward Iran and the broader Middle East.
Ana Miyares Photography
Tehran's Tactics: Iran, Its Proxies, and US Middle East Policy
PAST EVENT VIDEO Election 2024
A conversation at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs with Ian Bremmer, Kevin Rudd, Ivo H. Daalder, and Zeenat Rahman on how the United States and its allies can respond to threats to global stability. A conversation at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs with Ian Bremmer, Kevin Rudd, Ivo H. Daalder, and Zeenat Rahman on how the United States and its allies can respond to threats to global stability. A conversation at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs with Ian Bremmer, Kevin Rudd, Ivo H. Daalder, and Zeenat Rahman on how the United States and its allies can respond to threats to global stability. A conversation at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs with Ian Bremmer, Kevin Rudd, Ivo H. Daalder, and Zeenat Rahman on how the United States and its allies can respond to threats to global stability.
Ana Miyares Photography
Avoiding World War III: Managing Threats from Russia, China, and AI
PAST EVENT VIDEO

Get Involved

We're building a community of globally curious people who want to deepen their understanding of the world and actively participate in it. We each have a role to play—anyone can join and shape the global conversation. If you seek to learn more, discuss more, do more, you belong here.
Join the conversation.
A member talks into a microphone during an event

Join Our Community

Two members at a Council event
Become a Council Member

Our members believe, as we do, that greater knowledge and engagement create a more open and promising world for all. Join our member community and get access to special events, briefings, and more.

Two Emerging Leaders in DC
Become an Emerging Leader

Immerse yourself in a year-long program to deepen your understanding of global issues and develop the skills needed to become a global leader in Chicago. Learn more about the program and how to apply.

Person with cell phone in hand
Subscribe to Our Newsletters

Stay connected and engaged with our community and the greater world through our newsletters. Receive regular event invitations, research, commentary, and global news. Explore and subscribe today.

Support Our Mission

Open Minds Open Possibilities

If you believe, as we do, that greater knowledge and engagement create a more open and promising world for all, you can support our mission to  make global affairs more accessible to more people. Join or donate today to expand your world view and increase your impact. Donate