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WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 04: U.S. President Donald Trump addresses a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol on March 04, 2025 in Washington, DC. Win McNamee/Pool via REUTERS
President Trump’s Address to Congress: Global Reactions
Mar 14, 2025

After only six weeks in office, President Donald Trump has already sent shockwaves through the world regarding U.S. foreign and economic policy. The Council of Councils Initiative at CFR asked members to reflect on his March 4 address to Congress, and what his words and actions mean for U.S. engagement with their region.  

Mar 06, 2024
Delegates are seated on a platform on a large stage underneath a conference banner for the thirteenth World Trade Organization ministerial conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on February 26, 2024. REUTERS/Abdel Hadi Ramahi

The WTO at a Crossroads: What the Failed Ministerial Conference Means

The World Trade Organization (WTO) held its thirteenth ministerial conference (MC13) last week in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Five CoC experts assess the ministerial conference’s failure to break the deadlock on new initiatives and how smaller joint initiatives could be the future of world trade.
Delegates are seated on a platform on a large stage underneath a conference banner for the thirteenth World Trade Organization ministerial conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on February 26, 2024. REUTERS/Abdel Hadi Ramahi
The World Trade Organization (WTO) held its thirteenth ministerial conference (MC13) last week in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Five CoC experts assess the ministerial conference’s failure to break the deadlock on new initiatives and how smaller joint initiatives could be the future of world trade.
Feb 21, 2024
Ukrainian servicemen rest at their positions in a dark, deep trench after a fight, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, near Bakhmut, Ukraine on May 11, 2023. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty/Serhii Nuzhnenko via REUTERS

Global Perspectives on Ending the Russia-Ukraine War

Sixteen Council of Councils experts from thirteen countries reflect on ways to contain or end the Russia-Ukraine war. The responses differ sharply in some cases, demonstrating a divided world’s approach to a complex situation.
Ukrainian servicemen rest at their positions in a dark, deep trench after a fight, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, near Bakhmut, Ukraine on May 11, 2023. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty/Serhii Nuzhnenko via REUTERS
Sixteen Council of Councils experts from thirteen countries reflect on ways to contain or end the Russia-Ukraine war. The responses differ sharply in some cases, demonstrating a divided world’s approach to a complex situation.
Dec 15, 2023
COP28 President Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber stands and applauds on stage with other dignitaries in front of a giant green backdrop at the plenary at the UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on December 13, 2023. REUTERS/Amr Alfiky

COP28: Significant Progress but Disappointing Ambition

Five CoC experts assess the UN climate summit as a set of mixed outcomes, citing agreements that included loopholes, deferred decisions on difficult issues, and relatively low levels of funding pledges compared to what is needed to make progress as the planet continues to warm.
COP28 President Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber stands and applauds on stage with other dignitaries in front of a giant green backdrop at the plenary at the UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on December 13, 2023. REUTERS/Amr Alfiky
Five CoC experts assess the UN climate summit as a set of mixed outcomes, citing agreements that included loopholes, deferred decisions on difficult issues, and relatively low levels of funding pledges compared to what is needed to make progress as the planet continues to warm.
Dec 08, 2023
A man walks past an illuminated panel in bright orange light bearing the words of the last three articles of the Universal declaration of Human Rights in Spanish and English at the international convention centre in Barcelona on November 27, 2005. (Adrian Dennis/AFP via Getty Images)

Reflecting on and Recharging the Universal Declaration of Human Rights after Seventy-Five Years

Seven experts reflect on the legacy of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights after seventy-five years, and offer insights into the role it should play amid an erosion of human rights, the outbreak of wars, a tsunami of emerging technologies, and instances of religious intolerance.
A man walks past an illuminated panel in bright orange light bearing the words of the last three articles of the Universal declaration of Human Rights in Spanish and English at the international convention centre in Barcelona on November 27, 2005. (Adrian Dennis/AFP via Getty Images)
Seven experts reflect on the legacy of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights after seventy-five years, and offer insights into the role it should play amid an erosion of human rights, the outbreak of wars, a tsunami of emerging technologies, and instances of religious intolerance.
Oct 12, 2023
A man runs on a road as fire intensely burns from two demolished cars on a debris covered street after rockets were launched from the Gaza Strip, in Ashkelon, Israel on October 7, 2023.

Global Perspectives on the Hamas Attacks on Israel

Council of Councils (CoC) experts from Saudi Arabia, Germany, China, and Italy react to the surprise assault by Gaza militants on Israel on October 7, detail the regional and international implications, and propose ways forward for managing or ending the conflict in this Global Perspectives Roundup.
A man runs on a road as fire intensely burns from two demolished cars on a debris covered street after rockets were launched from the Gaza Strip, in Ashkelon, Israel on October 7, 2023.
Council of Councils (CoC) experts from Saudi Arabia, Germany, China, and Italy react to the surprise assault by Gaza militants on Israel on October 7, detail the regional and international implications, and propose ways forward for managing or ending the conflict in this Global Perspectives Roundup.
Oct 10, 2023
A broad shot of the opening of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Summit 2023 in New York in the large UN auditorium with colored streamers representing the SDGs hanging around the room on September 18, 2023. REUTERS/Mike Segar

The SDGs Are Not on Track: Here Is What the World Should Do

Five Council of Councils experts reflect on the 2023 SDGs summit and discuss whether countries should prioritize a subset of specific SDGs going forward.  
A broad shot of the opening of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Summit 2023 in New York in the large UN auditorium with colored streamers representing the SDGs hanging around the room on September 18, 2023. REUTERS/Mike Segar
Five Council of Councils experts reflect on the 2023 SDGs summit and discuss whether countries should prioritize a subset of specific SDGs going forward.  
Sep 14, 2023
World Bank President Ajay Banga, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and U.S. President Joe Biden hold hands on a red carpet with representative flags behind them, posing for a group photo during G20 Summit in New Delhi, India on Saturday, September 9, 2023.

Was the G20 Summit a Turning Point for the Global South?

Did the G20 summit break any meaningful new ground? Experts offer varying perspectives on whether the group has entered a new phase as an effective forum for action on crucial global issues.
World Bank President Ajay Banga, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and U.S. President Joe Biden hold hands on a red carpet with representative flags behind them, posing for a group photo during G20 Summit in New Delhi, India on Saturday, September 9, 2023.
Did the G20 summit break any meaningful new ground? Experts offer varying perspectives on whether the group has entered a new phase as an effective forum for action on crucial global issues.
Aug 31, 2023
Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, China's President Xi Jinping, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov pose for a picture standing up holding hands above their heads at the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa on August 23, 2023.

The BRICS Summit 2023: Seeking an Alternate World Order?

Ten Council of Councils (CoC) experts from BRICS members and beyond reflect on the future of the grouping and what expansion means for global governance.
Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, China's President Xi Jinping, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov pose for a picture standing up holding hands above their heads at the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa on August 23, 2023.
Ten Council of Councils (CoC) experts from BRICS members and beyond reflect on the future of the grouping and what expansion means for global governance.
Jul 14, 2023
NATO leaders and invited guests pose for a family photo, as they attend an event with G7 leaders to announce a joint declaration of support for Ukraine, as the NATO summit is held in Vilnius, Lithuania on July 12, 2023. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)

NATO Divided: Global Perspectives on the Vilnius Summit

CoC experts react to the NATO and G7 commitments made at the summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, and what they portend for the future of the alliance.
NATO leaders and invited guests pose for a family photo, as they attend an event with G7 leaders to announce a joint declaration of support for Ukraine, as the NATO summit is held in Vilnius, Lithuania on July 12, 2023. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)
CoC experts react to the NATO and G7 commitments made at the summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, and what they portend for the future of the alliance.
May 25, 2023
G7 leaders visit the Itsukushima Shrine, which is in the middle of a lake with sunlight reflecting off the water, on Miyajima Island in Hatsukaichi, Japan on Friday, May 19, 2023. Kenny Holston/Pool via REUTERS

Russia, China, and the G7’s Dilemmas: Global Perspectives on the Summit

Japan hosted the Group of Seven (G7) leaders summit in Hiroshima on May 19 through 21. The G7 stepped up its efforts to be more inclusive of the Global South’s diverse views, but the five experts writing for this Council of Councils global perspective series diverge on how effective this approach will be.
G7 leaders visit the Itsukushima Shrine, which is in the middle of a lake with sunlight reflecting off the water, on Miyajima Island in Hatsukaichi, Japan on Friday, May 19, 2023. Kenny Holston/Pool via REUTERS
Japan hosted the Group of Seven (G7) leaders summit in Hiroshima on May 19 through 21. The G7 stepped up its efforts to be more inclusive of the Global South’s diverse views, but the five experts writing for this Council of Councils global perspective series diverge on how effective this approach will be.