A House Divided? American Foreign Policy After the Midterms

Hybrid

John Ikenberry, Charles Kupchan, and Leslie Vinjamuri discuss how the 2026 midterms will shape the direction of US foreign policy and America’s role in the world in the months ahead.

The top of the US capitol photographed from in between two tree branches on September 2, 2026.

Nov

Mariam Zuhaib

Speakers

G. John Ikenberry
Charles Kupchan
Leslie Vinjamuri

Date and Time

Nov 5: 5:30 - 6:30 pm CST

Doors Open: 5:15 pm

Location

Chicago Council Conference Center, 130 E Randolph Street; or via YouTube

Who Can Attend

For All

REGISTRATION

This event is open to the public.

About This Event

Whatever the outcome, the 2026 midterms will help set the political terrain for American foreign policy over the next two years. The results could reshape debates over trade, defense spending, support for Ukraine, and relations with allies, while offering new clues about which foreign policy priorities have public support and political staying power. What will the new balance of power mean for US foreign policy? Where might the election reinforce the direction Washington is already heading, and where could it force a change in course? And what should allies and adversaries take away from the results? Join John Ikenberry, Charles Kupchan, and moderator Leslie Vinjamuri for a conversation on what the midterms mean for the next chapter of American foreign policy.

About the Speakers

G. John Ikenberry

Albert G. Milbank Professor of Politics and International Affairs, Princeton University

G. John Ikenberry is the Albert G. Milbank professor of politics and international affairs at Princeton University.

Charles Kupchan

Senior Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations; Former Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for European Affairs, National Security Council

Charles Kupchan is a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) and professor of international affairs at Georgetown University in the Walsh School of Foreign Service and Department of Government.

Leslie Vinjamuri

President & Chief Executive Officer, Chicago Council on Global Affairs

Dr. Leslie Vinjamuri joined the Council in 2025 as the president and chief executive officer, after previously serving as director of the US and the Americas program at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, known as Chatham House, in London. She is Professor of Practice in International Studies and Diplomacy at SOAS University of London.

Construction Alert Please note that the Randolph Street lobby of the Prudential building, where guests enter for Council events, will be under construction from April through December.

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