Commentary and Analysis

The decline of Chicago's central business corridor has made the future of downtown foot traffic and storefronts uncertain. Following models from international peers, Chicago may find that reinvesting in pedestrian malls is an effective path for urban revitalization.

Developments abroad in the first weeks of the new year may pose a significant challenge to the US president’s electoral prospects.

"With the focus on war this past year, it is all too easy to overlook that starvation and food insecurity are on the rise," Paul Poast writes.

"The next year will be marked by a profound debate within the US about America’s future global role," says Ivo Daalder.

The agreement has loopholes providing nations with “wiggle room” on their climate actions, Paul Poast writes, perhaps enough for them to fully wiggle out.

Yasmeen Abutaleb, Carla Anne Robbins, and Nahal Toosi join Ivo Daalder to discuss the week's top news stories.

The US has used its UN veto power to stop an Israel-Hamas war ceasefire resolution and other measures. Here's how it got veto power and how America has used it.

The Kyrgyz community in Chicagoland is small, but its economic footprint is expanding. New Kyrgyz businesses in the service industry, logistics, and shipping are bridging Illinois and Central Asia.

"In many respects, both Ukraine and Israel are offering quintessential examples of a combatant winning the battle, but losing the war," Paul Poast writes.

Deborah Amos, Jamil Anderlini, and Peter Spiegel join Ivo Daalder to discuss the week's top news stories.