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UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres prepare to receive attendees during the UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Scotland on November 1, 2021.
COP26: Much Achieved, Huge Opportunities Missed
Nov 17, 2021
In this Council of Councils global perspectives series, five experts take stock of where the UN climate summit failed, areas of progress, and how much work remains to strengthen international efforts enough to limit global warming from reaching catastrophic levels.
Sep 01, 2021
A U.S. flag flies above a razorwire-topped fence at the U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay on December 10, 2008. REUTERS/Mandel Ngan/Pool (CUBA)

The 9/11 Effect and the Transformation of Global Security

The scale and audacity of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, spurred sweeping changes in the way the United States, its partners, and adversaries used the machinery of state and technology to respond to threats. In this Council of Councils global perspectives, five experts reflect on the legacy of the attacks and offer insights into the biggest changes in counterterrorism, human rights, surveillance, international law of war, and border security.
A U.S. flag flies above a razorwire-topped fence at the U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay on December 10, 2008. REUTERS/Mandel Ngan/Pool (CUBA)
The scale and audacity of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, spurred sweeping changes in the way the United States, its partners, and adversaries used the machinery of state and technology to respond to threats. In this Council of Councils global perspectives, five experts reflect on the legacy of the attacks and offer insights into the biggest changes in counterterrorism, human rights, surveillance, international law of war, and border security.
Jun 18, 2021
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, European Council President Charles Michel, U.S. President Joe Biden, Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Italy's Prime Minister Mario Draghi, French President Emmanuel Macron, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and German Chancellor Angela Merkel pose for a group photo at the G7 summit, in Carbis Bay, Britain, June 11, 2021.

Biden's Summitry Was Reassuring for the West. Now Comes the Hard Part.

Transatlantic relations were boosted by nearly a week of summits marking U.S. President Joe Biden’s first diplomatic travels. But the months ahead will test the ability of alliances, great powers, and multilateral groups to advance global health, security, and economic opportunity, as well as whether the United States can lead the effort, say experts at leading global think tanks.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, European Council President Charles Michel, U.S. President Joe Biden, Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Italy's Prime Minister Mario Draghi, French President Emmanuel Macron, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and German Chancellor Angela Merkel pose for a group photo at the G7 summit, in Carbis Bay, Britain, June 11, 2021.
Transatlantic relations were boosted by nearly a week of summits marking U.S. President Joe Biden’s first diplomatic travels. But the months ahead will test the ability of alliances, great powers, and multilateral groups to advance global health, security, and economic opportunity, as well as whether the United States can lead the effort, say experts at leading global think tanks.
Apr 28, 2021
World leaders appear on a video screen during a virtual Climate Summit with world leaders in the East Room at the White House in Washington, DC, on April 23, 2021. REUTERS/Tom Brenner

Biden's Welcome Climate Reboot and the Daunting Diplomacy Ahead

President Joe Biden’s Leaders Summit on Climate marked a promising step forward. But even with renewed U.S. global leadership there are daunting challenges to locking in meaningful reductions to carbon emissions.
World leaders appear on a video screen during a virtual Climate Summit with world leaders in the East Room at the White House in Washington, DC, on April 23, 2021. REUTERS/Tom Brenner
President Joe Biden’s Leaders Summit on Climate marked a promising step forward. But even with renewed U.S. global leadership there are daunting challenges to locking in meaningful reductions to carbon emissions.
Jan 15, 2021
An explosion caused by a police munition is seen while supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump gather in front of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, DC, on January 6, 2021.

U.S. Capitol Breach Was a Shot Heard Round the World

In this Council of Councils global perspectives roundup, members of five leading think tanks reflect on the impact of the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. The attacks left leaders and publics in many democracies stunned, reassured, or determined to play a bigger role in preserving democratic order in the world.
An explosion caused by a police munition is seen while supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump gather in front of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, DC, on January 6, 2021.
In this Council of Councils global perspectives roundup, members of five leading think tanks reflect on the impact of the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. The attacks left leaders and publics in many democracies stunned, reassured, or determined to play a bigger role in preserving democratic order in the world.
Nov 11, 2020
Democratic U.S. presidential nominee Joe Biden makes a statement on the 2020 U.S. presidential election results during a brief appearance before reporters in Wilmington, Delaware on November 5, 2020.

Biden and the World: Global Perspectives on the U.S. Presidential Election

Experts from leading global think tanks welcome the prospect of a Biden administration restoring long-standing U.S. alliances and commitments to multilateral institutions. But they anticipate a rocky path toward better global cooperation.
Democratic U.S. presidential nominee Joe Biden makes a statement on the 2020 U.S. presidential election results during a brief appearance before reporters in Wilmington, Delaware on November 5, 2020.
Experts from leading global think tanks welcome the prospect of a Biden administration restoring long-standing U.S. alliances and commitments to multilateral institutions. But they anticipate a rocky path toward better global cooperation.
Sep 14, 2020
The UN at 75

The UN Turns Seventy-Five. Here's How to Make it Relevant Again.

CoC members from seventeen leading global think tanks reflect on what reform or initiative is the most important for the United Nations as it looks toward its next seventy-five years.
The UN at 75
CoC members from seventeen leading global think tanks reflect on what reform or initiative is the most important for the United Nations as it looks toward its next seventy-five years.
Jun 12, 2020
DaSun Millard stands next to the newly named "Black Lives Matter Plaza" sign near the White House, during a protest in Washington, DC. on June 6, 2020. REUTERS/Jim Bourg

How U.S. Civil Protests Resonate With Publics Worldwide

CoC members from leading global think tanks in Australia, Brazil, Germany, South Korea, and the United Kingdom reflect on the recent unrest in the United States, and the possible implications for the U.S. role in promoting the rule of law and human rights abroad.
DaSun Millard stands next to the newly named "Black Lives Matter Plaza" sign near the White House, during a protest in Washington, DC. on June 6, 2020. REUTERS/Jim Bourg
CoC members from leading global think tanks in Australia, Brazil, Germany, South Korea, and the United Kingdom reflect on the recent unrest in the United States, and the possible implications for the U.S. role in promoting the rule of law and human rights abroad.
Mar 13, 2020
A medical worker in protective suit takes a break at an isolated ward of Wuhan Red Cross Hospital in Wuhan, China on February 16, 2020.

Coronavirus: The View From Italy, China, Singapore, India, and the UK

Council of Councils global perspectives roundups gather opinions from experts on major international developments. In this edition, members of five leading global think tanks reflect on the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the state of public health systems in their countries, and the importance of international and regional cooperation.
A medical worker in protective suit takes a break at an isolated ward of Wuhan Red Cross Hospital in Wuhan, China on February 16, 2020.
Council of Councils global perspectives roundups gather opinions from experts on major international developments. In this edition, members of five leading global think tanks reflect on the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the state of public health systems in their countries, and the importance of international and regional cooperation.
Jan 30, 2020
An anti-Brexit demonstrator waves a Union flag alongside a European Union flag outside the Houses of Parliament in London on March 28, 2018. Tolga Akmen/AFP via Getty Images

Brexit Is Here: The EU and UK Must Brace for the Consequences

Council of Councils global perspectives roundups gather opinions from experts on major international developments. In this edition, members of four leading global think tanks offer their perspectives on the regional and global impact of the United Kingdom’s January 31 departure from the European Union.
An anti-Brexit demonstrator waves a Union flag alongside a European Union flag outside the Houses of Parliament in London on March 28, 2018. Tolga Akmen/AFP via Getty Images
Council of Councils global perspectives roundups gather opinions from experts on major international developments. In this edition, members of four leading global think tanks offer their perspectives on the regional and global impact of the United Kingdom’s January 31 departure from the European Union.
Dec 23, 2019
Police fire tear gas at anti-extradition bill protesters during clashes in Sham Shui Po in Hong Kong, China, on August 14, 2019. REUTERS/Thomas Peter

The State of Democracy in 2020: Crisis or Renewal?

What are the prospects of democracy in 2020? Four Council of Councils experts discuss the most important risk, challenge, or opportunity they foresee for the coming year.
Police fire tear gas at anti-extradition bill protesters during clashes in Sham Shui Po in Hong Kong, China, on August 14, 2019. REUTERS/Thomas Peter
What are the prospects of democracy in 2020? Four Council of Councils experts discuss the most important risk, challenge, or opportunity they foresee for the coming year.