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Defense and Security

Analysis, research, and programming related to acquisition and resources, homeland security, strategy, reconstruction, military/nuclear issues, and terrorism.

Upcoming Events

NATO Summit Debrief: What Comes Next After Ankara?

PAST EVENT VIDEO

Ambassador Julianne Smith, General Christopher Cavoli, and Leslie Vinjamuri analyze the outcomes of this summer's NATO Summit in Ankara, Turkey.

Jul 13
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, right, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, left, depart a photo opportunity at the State Department on April 8, 2026.
Rod Lamkey / AP

Roundtable with Australian Ambassador to the US Greg Moriarty

In-Person EVENT

A private roundtable discussion with the Ambassador of Australia to the United States, Greg Moriarty AO, on the US-Australia alliance, the trilateral AUKUS partnership, and defense and security developments in the Indo-Pacific.

US / Australia flags
Patrick Semansky / AP
Jul
23
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Past Events

Strait Talk: Lessons from Hormuz with Samir Saran

PAST EVENT

Observer Research Foundation President Samir Saran joins the Council for a private roundtable discussion on the ongoing Strait of Hormuz crisis.

Jul 8
Strait of Hormuz
Amirhosein Khorgooi / ISNA

Inside Iran: How the War May Shape the Country's Political Future

PAST EVENT VIDEO

Richard Nephew, Dafna Rand, and Ariane Tabatabai examine what the war in Iran means for the country's people, its civil society, and its political future.

Jul 1
Speakers on Council Stage
Ana Miyares Photography
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Commentary

President Trump Says Ceasefire with Iran is Over. What Happens Next?

In the News
NPR
Ariane Tabatabai

"Ultimately, I don't think that either the United States or Iran wants to return to March, when we had large-scale operations," says Council Vice President of Research for Security and Defense Ariane Tabatabai. "And so this, in my mind, is the new steady state for the foreseeable future."

President Donald Trump speaks during a media conference at the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey.
Emrah Gurel / AP
US Foreign Policy

NATO's Most Complicated Member: Turkey

Podcast
Deep Dish on Global Affairs Podcast

As NATO adapts to wars in Europe and the Middle East, Turkey is becoming harder to ignore. Aslı Aydıntaşbaş explains how Turkey is balancing its alliances, expanding its influence, and positioning itself as a middle power.

Erdogan
Hussein Malla / AP
Defense and Security
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Research

Strong Bipartisan Support for NATO Ahead of 2026 Summit

RESEARCH
Public Opinion Survey by Dina Smeltz

A new Chicago Council survey finds bipartisan majorities support the NATO alliance, including US troop deployments in Germany and Poland.

Flags flap in the wind outside NATO headquarters in Brussels
Virginia Mayo / AP
Public Opinion

Majority of Americans Say Congress' Approval Needed for US Strikes in Iran

RESEARCH
Public Opinion Survey by Coauthors

While few Americans want to see Iran develop a nuclear weapon, just half expressed support for US airstrikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities—and most believe direct military action would spark a broader regional war.

Plumes of smoke from two simultaneous strikes rise over Tehran, Iran
Mohsen Ganji / AP
US Foreign Policy
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Experts

Rachel Bronson 

Lester Crown Senior Nonresident Fellow, Energy and Geopolitics, Chicago Council on Global Affairs
Photo of Rachel Bronson
Expertise
Middle East and North Africa
Defense and Security
US Foreign Policy

Ivo H. Daalder 

President Emeritus, Chicago Council on Global Affairs
Headshot of Ivo H. Daalder
Expertise
North America
Europe
Defense and Security
Global Politics
US Foreign Policy
Social Media
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