Search The Council

A group of experts, including the Council's John Austin, Brian Hanson, and Alex Hitch explain why now is the time to rise to a new political, economic, and social challenge rooted in growing regional inequalities.

A report from the Task Force on Trilateral Cooperation Amid China’s Rise recommends a new policy mix that leverages each country’s individual strengths and advantages.

The Chicago Council’s polling team examines public opinion on COVID-19 from the United States, France, the UK, Italy, and Canada.

The Chicago Council Survey team provides an update on global public opinion on the COVID-19 pandemic includes polling results from around the world.

The Chicago City Council has tripled its legislation on foreign policy in the last four years.

"We need to define and enlist allies in a shared global agenda to strengthen our national economies and democracies," writes Nonresident Senior Fellow John Austin.

Transatlantic leaders can share ideas, tools, and strategies to help bridge economic divides between struggling heartland communities and thriving cities.

While Republicans share a similar political worldview overall, Trump and Non-Trump Republicans disagree on key policies for immigration, climate change, and nuclear programs.

Chicago Council survey data find majorities in South Korea view China as more of a security threat than a security partner and as more of an economic threat than an economic partner.

A joint task force outlines some key principles and judgments in managing the United States' relationships with Russia, Ukraine, and Eurasia.

Nonresident Fellow John Austin and Elaine Dezenski unpack how domestic investments can be creative tools to strengthen democracy.

“Made in Democracy” is a better label than “Made in America” if the goal is to strengthen our collective Western economies as well as our political alliances.

A new administration may find that the summit overloads its circuits at a demanding time.

"The year we’re leaving behind was a bad one for democracy — a reminder that progress is fragile and not inevitable, and that history doesn’t always take a linear path," Elizabeth Shackelford writes.

Elizabeth Shackleford looks at William Ruto's win in Kenya's presidential election and why it's a good sign for Kenyan democracy.

"I think that President Biden, in a way, is mirroring what he senses is a changing attitude in a part of our society," said Cécile Shea.

The speech comes as isolationist views are growing, Ivo Daalder tells NPR. "NATO is becoming politicized in a way it never was until this point."

“Those who want democracy to succeed must help make the case,” argues Elizabeth Shackelford in the Chicago Tribune. Case in point: the US impact on coups.

The U.S. has maintained a delicate balance between not officially recognizing Taiwan as a sovereign nation and arming the island to fend off any Chinese aggression.

"The elections of 2024 could mark an inflection point for democracy globally and, by consequence, international relations," Paul Poast writes.

Banning abortion “doesn't look like a particularly democratic move for a country that purports to be a beacon of democracy,” says Elizabeth Shackelford on WGN-9.

John Austin joined the European Committee of the Regions to discuss the link between populism and place, and how populism grows in deindustrialized regions.

America should view its many threats as a collective advance of illiberalism acting against the post-World War II democratically led, rules-based world order.

Council President Ivo Daalder, former US ambassador to NATO, examines how the events at the US Capitol influence US standing abroad.

In Africa, “supplying and supporting abusive security forces often directly undermines democracy,” writes Elizabeth Shackelford in the Chicago Tribune.

The U.S. is expanding its military presence near Israel and Gaza. There were more than 170,000 troops stationed outside of the U.S. and its territories as of 2022.

What impact does Trump’s indictment have on the credibility of the US political system? Cecile Shea weighs in on VOA with Cindy Saine.

“By centering our economic and trade relations with our friends, we can drive a more powerful collective recovery,” writes John Austin in Our Towns.

For the 13th year in a row, freedom declined around the world — with more countries falling down freedom’s ranks than moving up.

How does the United States use its influence in the global fight for democracy? Elizabeth Shackelford talks US foreign policy, coups, and more on C-SPAN.

Ivo Daalder, Kori Schake and David Sanger discuss the international challenges facing the Biden administration.

The Council's Ivo Daalder joins Gideon Rachman to discuss the potential threat to US democracy if Donald Trump wins the US presidential election.

Ongoing protests to safeguard democracy and a potential war with Iran could call into question US unconditional support for Israel, Paul Poast writes.

"Far from being an idealist driven to spread democracy, commerce, protection of human rights or some other value, Biden is a practitioner of realpolitik," Paul Poast argues.

“A series of radical rulings makes America’s exhortations about promoting democracy ring hollow,” write Senior Fellows Elizabeth Shackelford and Dina Smeltz.

"To be a credible champion of good governance and democracy, America must make fighting corruption a higher priority," writes Elizabeth Shackelford in the Chicago Tribune.

“If the United States can’t lead by example as a defender of democracy and the rule of law at home, we’ll have a hard time defending them elsewhere,” says Elizabeth Shackelford.

"Rumors, lies and misinformation played a decisive role in the first round, and they will play an even greater role in the second," writes Robert Muggah.

As NATO meets in Madrid, Ivo Daalder stresses that they must focus on the long term and include "all those in Europe who stand for freedom and democracy."

John Austin writes in Newsweek how "for economic growth, international security, global political stability and the protection of our democracies—the time for ally-shoring is now!"

"Even when 'people power' succeeds in ousting oppressive leaders, there is no guarantee that what comes next is peace or democracy," Elizabeth Shackelford writes.

NATO welcomed Finland and Sweden, marking “a very good day for those who care about freedom and democracy in Europe," says Ivo Daalder on CBC.

As billionaires race to space, "our democracies could use their help on the ground," John Austin argues in Barron's.

Bruce Jentleson coauthors four suggestions for mitigating the pitfalls and maybe even pulling off a success at the Summit for Democracy in Politico.

What does the French election mean for global democracy? Council President Ivo Daalder dives in with MSNBC's Alicia Menendez and the New Yorker's David Rhode.

The election for speaker of the Republican-majority House was a bad omen for US aid to Ukraine and US democracy, Paul Poast writes.

Elizabeth Shackelford explains why press freedom is more than an important feature of democracy—it's a foreign policy priority.

Milei’s appeal draws attention to an acute problem facing democracies around the world: Good governance and good politics don’t always align.

As the run-off vote looms at the end of October, the far-right’s misinformation machine is going into overdrive, writes Robert Muggah.

Will the Republican Party stand for international engagement, democracy and freedom? Or will Republicans adopt a narrower, inward-looking vision?