The Chicago Council for Global Affairs
Global Politics
US Foreign Policy
Secretary General Mark Rutte and Ambassador Matthew G. Whitaker on NATO's Future
Join us on September 22 as NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, US Ambassador to NATO Matthew G. Whitaker, and Leslie Vinjamuri meet in Iowa to discuss the alliance's future and what it means for Americans at home.
More From Our Experts
Global Politics
Reports that Xi will forgo addressing the United Nations General Assembly ahead of his meeting with Trump in Washington raise uncomfortable questions about the role of multilateral institutions under great power compacts.
Geopolitics
The conflict offers lessons for how to bolster European security with less support from the United States.
Climate and the Environment
Humanity cannot simply air condition every setting.
Geopolitics
The Mecca Joint Defense Agreement is not just a response to Iran but the divergence between states over theories of power.
In the News
Geopolitics
"The administration gutted the country’s institutions, and the United States is left trying to bargain for an outcome worse than the prewar status quo," Council Vice President of Research for Security and Defense Ariane Tabatabai and Julia Curlee write.
Geopolitics
"Europe needs a public diplomacy campaign, and the target of that campaign needs to be the American public," Council President and CEO Leslie Vinjamuri says.
Geopolitics
Council Distinguished Nonresident Fellow Ambassador Julianne Smith notes that the US should review its European force posture based on security needs—not allies’ political loyalty—to protect NATO, deter Russia, and preserve readiness.
Global Leadership Awards Dinner 2026
Join the Council on October 28 to honor Ambassador Cindy McCain, David J. Vitale, and Chris Myers for their extraordinary leadership and commitment to creating a more open and promising world for all.
Expert Insights on the Issues That Matter
In a world shaped by shifting power, rapid technological change, and global challenges, understanding what's happening and why matters more than ever. Council experts bring clarity through independent research and informed analysis to help you make sense of the forces shaping our world.
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