Jan 12, 2022
A United Nations security guard walks through an empty hall as COVID-19 restrictions have kept the number of delegates limited at the seventy-sixth session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 23, 2021.

Diplomacy Reset: Ten Global Summits to Watch in 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has delayed global summits and undermined the ability of leaders to act on issues that imperil the safety, security, and well-being of every nation’s citizens. These ten summits will help determine if 2022 will be any different.
A United Nations security guard walks through an empty hall as COVID-19 restrictions have kept the number of delegates limited at the seventy-sixth session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 23, 2021.
The COVID-19 pandemic has delayed global summits and undermined the ability of leaders to act on issues that imperil the safety, security, and well-being of every nation’s citizens. These ten summits will help determine if 2022 will be any different.
Dec 16, 2021
U.S. President Joe Biden convenes a virtual summit with leaders from democratic nations at Summit for Democracy in Washington, DC, on December 9, 2021. REUTERS/Leah Millis

Global Perspectives on Biden’s Democracy Summit

Leaders of more than one hundred countries took part in the U.S.-hosted Summit for Democracy in early December. The outcome was mixed at best, say four experts writing for the Council of Councils global perspectives series.
U.S. President Joe Biden convenes a virtual summit with leaders from democratic nations at Summit for Democracy in Washington, DC, on December 9, 2021. REUTERS/Leah Millis
Leaders of more than one hundred countries took part in the U.S.-hosted Summit for Democracy in early December. The outcome was mixed at best, say four experts writing for the Council of Councils global perspectives series.
Nov 17, 2021
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

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.
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.
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.
Dec 23, 2020
Two men with surgical masks on stand in front of a large screen showing a virtual APEC Economic Leaders Meeting 2020, which was hosted in Malaysia on November 20, 2020.

Up in the Air: Ten Global Summits That Will Test Joe Biden in 2021

The global agenda facing Joe Biden is the most daunting any U.S. president has confronted in decades. The future of international security, freedom, prosperity, development, health, and indeed of the planet itself are all up for grabs in 2021.
Two men with surgical masks on stand in front of a large screen showing a virtual APEC Economic Leaders Meeting 2020, which was hosted in Malaysia on November 20, 2020.
The global agenda facing Joe Biden is the most daunting any U.S. president has confronted in decades. The future of international security, freedom, prosperity, development, health, and indeed of the planet itself are all up for grabs in 2021.
Dec 14, 2020
A person uses an extinguisher toward a burning paper-made globe during a demonstration against the fossil fuel industry in Frankfurt, Germany on October 21, 2020.

Blueprint for 2021: Six Paths to a More Resilient World

How should the world come together in 2021 to address the array of threats to health, security, and economic livelihood? Six experts offer insights on international cooperation.
A person uses an extinguisher toward a burning paper-made globe during a demonstration against the fossil fuel industry in Frankfurt, Germany on October 21, 2020.
How should the world come together in 2021 to address the array of threats to health, security, and economic livelihood? Six experts offer insights on international cooperation.
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.