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.
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Hybrid EVENT
Rebuilding Syria
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
Join us for a conversation on the challenges and opportunities of rebuilding Syria after a decade of civil war.
Register Now
A boy looks through a border wall separating Mexico from the United States from Tijuana, Mexico. A boy looks through a border wall separating Mexico from the United States from Tijuana, Mexico. A boy looks through a border wall separating Mexico from the United States from Tijuana, Mexico. A boy looks through a border wall separating Mexico from the United States from Tijuana, Mexico.
Jan
29
Gregory Bull / AP
Diplomacy or Discord? US-Mexico Relations at a Crossroads
Hybrid EVENT
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A person wearing a backpack browses shelves at a bookstore. A person wearing a backpack browses shelves at a bookstore. A person wearing a backpack browses shelves at a bookstore. A person wearing a backpack browses shelves at a bookstore. US Foreign Policy
Darwin Vegher
Ten Global Affairs Reads of 2024
Blog Global Insight by 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
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

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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.
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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.

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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.

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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