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Olympic Officials Want the Games to Be Politically Neutral—Can They Be?

Analysis
by Alexander Cooley

By barring Russian athletes from competing under the Russian flag, the International Olympic Committee demonstrated its power as a global norm-maker. Now, sporting federation leaders are seeking to distance their games from geopolitics.

Ukraine's Vladyslav Heraskevych holds up his crash helmet during a press conference following a skeleton training session at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026.
Steve Moore / AP
Global Politics

Could a BRICS Currency Work?

In the News
Project Syndicate
Jim O'Neill

Distinguished Nonresident Fellow Lord Jim O'Neill (coiner of the "BRICS" acronym) weighs the possibility of a shared currency among the BRICS club.

A man walks past a money exchange shop decorated with different banknotes in Hong Kong.
Kin Cheung / AP
Global Politics

What Takaichi's Win Means for Japan's Foreign Policy Priorities

Analysis
by Craig Kafura

With her party now holding a majority in the Lower House, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi turns to managing Japan's relationships with the United States, China, and Korea.

President Donald Trump, with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, speaks to members of the military aboard the USS George Washington, an aircraft carrier docked at an American naval base, in Yokosuka, Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025.
Mark Schiefelbein / AP
Global Politics

Can Europe Stand Without the US?

Podcast
Deep Dish on Global Affairs Podcast

Ahead of Munich, Georgina Wright and Sophia Besch explain how Europe is rearming and diversifying its alliances.

Rutte and Vance at MSC 2025
Matthias Schrader / AP
Defense and Security

Trump Admin Reveals First-of-Its-Kind Funding Data in Elite College Crackdown

In the News
Axios
Alexander Cooley

Senior Nonresident Fellow Alexander Cooley tells Axios that the Department of Education painting foreign funds to US colleges as a national security issue is "misleading."

 President Donald Trump holds a signed an executive order relating to school discipline policies as Education Secretary Linda McMahon stands behind him at the Oval Office.
Alex Brandon / AP
US Foreign Policy

In Response to US Tariffs, Canada Is Investing in Its Own Auto Industry

In the News
WBEZ
Cécile Shea

"Canada has decided that the US is an undependable trading partner and an undependable production partner," Council Senior Nonresident Fellow Cécile Shea explains.

An electric vehicle plugged in at a charging station
David Zalubowski / AP
Global Economy

How the World Is Acclimating to the Trump Doctrine

In the News
Bloomberg
Leslie Vinjamuri

"Leaders understand that they have a whole lot to gain from trying to manage the disruption," Council President and CEO Leslie Vinjamuri tells Bloomberg's Francine Lacqua.

Leslie Vinjamuri appears in the Bloomberg studio US Foreign Policy

The Upside to Donald Trump's Unorthodoxy

Analysis
by Leslie Vinjamuri

After months of punitive US tariffs, President Trump and Prime Minister Modi announced a trade deal between the world’s two largest democracies. But India has been following a now familiar pattern—building resilience in the face of a disruptive Washington.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks as President Donald Trump listens during a news conference in the East Room of the White House, Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025, in Washington.
Ben Curtis / AP
US Foreign Policy

Is the West Ready for an Asian Century?

Podcast
Deep Dish on Global Affairs Podcast

Has President Trump's second term accelerated the shift toward an Asian-led world order? Experts Kishore Mahbubani and Avinash Paliwal weigh in.

ASEAN
Jacqueline Hernandez / Pool via AP
Global Politics

What Recent Changes to SNAP Work Requirements Mean for Food Security

In the News
WBEZ
Ertharin Cousin

Council Distinguished Fellow Ertharin Cousin unpacks how the new rules will impact residents across Illinois, including refugees and undocumented immigrants.

A customer walks into a bakery as a SNAP EBT information sign is displayed at the front door in Chicago
Nam Y. Huh / AP
Food and Agriculture