Issues

Geopolitics

The forces shaping global power and security, from defense and security issues to the strategic competition, alliances, and regional dynamics influencing the global order.  

Upcoming Events

Roundtable with WSJ China Bureau Chief Jonathan Cheng

In-Person EVENT

Jonathan Cheng joins the Council for a private roundtable on US-China relations and his experiences as a journalist in Asia.

American and Chinese Flags in a row.
Mark Schiefelbein / AP
Oct
13

Roundtable with Congressman Jason Crow on the Use of Force

In-Person EVENT

US Representative Jason Crow joins Council President and CEO Leslie Vinjamuri to discuss national security and the use of force.

Congressman Jason Crow speaking into a microphone.
David Zalubowski / AP
Oct
16
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Past Events

Roundtable with Hina Khar on Pakistan’s Growing Influence

PAST EVENT

Hina Khar and Leslie Vinjamuri discuss the driving forces behind Pakistan's recent diplomatic initiatives and their potential implications for Pakistan, the Iran War, and the future of the Middle East.

Oct 5
Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar delivers a speech at an international conference on July 8, 2012.
Itsuo Inouye / AP Pool

Roundtable with Australian Ambassador to the US Greg Moriarty

PAST 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.

Jul 23
US / Australia flags
Patrick Semansky / AP
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Commentary

Russia’s Hybrid War Has Entered a Dangerous New Phase

In the News
Foreign Affairs
Julianne Smith

"As long as each provocation costs Moscow nothing more than a downed drone, Putin has every reason to keep escalating," Council Distinguished Nonresident Fellow in Defense and Security Julianne Smith writes.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, center, visits the Center-2026 military exercises at the Chebarkulsky training ground outside Chebarkul, Chelyabinsk region, Russia, Friday, Oct. 2, 2026.
Alexander Kazakov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP
Geopolitics

What Trump's Greenland Deal Means for Arctic Security

Analysis
by Coauthors

Julianne Smith, Deborah Rosenblum, and Ariane Tabatabai discuss how the US-Denmark-Greenland agreement will impact US force posture, intra-NATO tensions, and Trump’s push to acquire Greenland.

President Donald Trump shakes hands with Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen, before signing a security agreement during the United Nations General Assembly, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, at the UN headquarters, as Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, center, looks on.
Julia Demaree Nikhinson / AP
Geopolitics
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Research

7 in 10 Americans Say Iran War Not Worth Fighting

RESEARCH
Public Opinion Survey by Coauthors

New polling finds 68 percent of Americans believe the costs of the war with Iran have outweighed the benefits, though Republicans stand apart.

Demonstrators rally outside the White House to protest US military action in Iran
Jose Luis Magana / AP
Public Opinion

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
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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
Geopolitics
US Foreign Policy

Ivo H. Daalder 

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