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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.

Past Events

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

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
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Commentary

Trump Says the US And Iran Have Agreed on a Deal

In the News
NPR
Ariane Tabatabai

"I think President Trump had overestimated how much he could achieve militarily. And I think Iran might now be overestimating what it can achieve diplomatically based on the cycle that we're in," Council Vice President of Research for Security and Defense Ariane Tabatabai tells NPR.

A woman walks past a mural depicting a US aircraft carrier under missile attack
Vahid Salemi / AP
US Foreign Policy

Transatlantic Publics Lose Confidence That Allies Will Help in Event of Attack

BLOG
Running Numbers by Dina Smeltz

But both Americans and Europeans are hopeful that relations will improve in the future.

Two men walk past the NATO logo
Hussein Malla / AP
Public Opinion
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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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