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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.  

Nov 03, 2022
Chairs surround round tables in front of a bright LED screen displaying Indonesian’s G20 theme at a meeting of the G20 finance ministers in Bali, Indonesia on July 16, 2022.

How the War in Ukraine and Big Power Tensions Could Derail the Bali G20 Summit

The Group of Twenty (G20) leaders summit is set to take place in Bali, Indonesia, on November 15 and 16 at a time of expanding global divisions. In this roundup, five experts recommend what the G20 summit’s priorities should be and reflect on what growing geopolitical tensions mean for the group's future.
Chairs surround round tables in front of a bright LED screen displaying Indonesian’s G20 theme at a meeting of the G20 finance ministers in Bali, Indonesia on July 16, 2022.
The Group of Twenty (G20) leaders summit is set to take place in Bali, Indonesia, on November 15 and 16 at a time of expanding global divisions. In this roundup, five experts recommend what the G20 summit’s priorities should be and reflect on what growing geopolitical tensions mean for the group's future.
Aug 30, 2022
Ukraine's Ambassador to the United Nations Sergiy Kyslytsya sits with his hand on his head gazing downward at the UN General Assembly during the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty review conference in New York City on August 1, 2022

The Future of Nuclear Nonproliferation and Disarmament Is in Danger

In this Council of Councils global perspectives series, five experts analyze what this failure of the NPT Review Conference means for the future of nonproliferation and disarmament, and what might be done to strengthen the nuclear regime.
Ukraine's Ambassador to the United Nations Sergiy Kyslytsya sits with his hand on his head gazing downward at the UN General Assembly during the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty review conference in New York City on August 1, 2022
In this Council of Councils global perspectives series, five experts analyze what this failure of the NPT Review Conference means for the future of nonproliferation and disarmament, and what might be done to strengthen the nuclear regime.
Jul 18, 2022
Overheated, a healthcare worker takes a break as people wait in their vehicles in long lines for the COVID-19 testing in Houston, Texas on July 7, 2020. REUTERS/Callaghan O'Hare

The World Can Prevent Future Pandemics. Here's How to Fund It

More than two years since the start of COVID-19, one of the biggest challenges remains financing pandemic preparedness and responses. To overcome future global health threats, the world should establish a global public health fund based on a social health insurance scheme.
Overheated, a healthcare worker takes a break as people wait in their vehicles in long lines for the COVID-19 testing in Houston, Texas on July 7, 2020. REUTERS/Callaghan O'Hare
More than two years since the start of COVID-19, one of the biggest challenges remains financing pandemic preparedness and responses. To overcome future global health threats, the world should establish a global public health fund based on a social health insurance scheme.
Jun 10, 2022
U.S. President Joe Biden walks off the stage with his back to the camera after speaking during the opening plenary session at the Ninth Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles, California on June 9, 2022.

A Region Divided: What Did the Summit of the Americas Accomplish?

Leaders of twenty-three Western Hemisphere countries attended the ninth Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles on June 6–10, with a focus on “Building a Sustainable, Resilient, and Equitable Future.” The summit sought cooperation on shared challenges, including economic recovery, climate change, health, and migration. The meeting showcased a divided region and is unlikely to produce any substantial outcomes, write four experts for the Council of Councils global perspectives series, but it has prompted some pragmatic first steps toward stronger regional partnerships.
U.S. President Joe Biden walks off the stage with his back to the camera after speaking during the opening plenary session at the Ninth Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles, California on June 9, 2022.
Leaders of twenty-three Western Hemisphere countries attended the ninth Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles on June 6–10, with a focus on “Building a Sustainable, Resilient, and Equitable Future.” The summit sought cooperation on shared challenges, including economic recovery, climate change, health, and migration. The meeting showcased a divided region and is unlikely to produce any substantial outcomes, write four experts for the Council of Councils global perspectives series, but it has prompted some pragmatic first steps toward stronger regional partnerships.
Mar 03, 2022
Ukrainian servicemen stand guard on a road in Kharkiv, Ukraine in front of a tank while holding weapons on February 25, 2022. REUTERS/Maksim Levin

Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine Will Have Lasting Implications

Russia’s military assault on Ukraine defies international law and poses one of the most alarming challenges to European security in the post-Cold War era, with ripple effects far beyond the continent. In this Council of Councils global perspectives series, four experts analyze the implications for Russia, Europe, and the world.
Ukrainian servicemen stand guard on a road in Kharkiv, Ukraine in front of a tank while holding weapons on February 25, 2022. REUTERS/Maksim Levin
Russia’s military assault on Ukraine defies international law and poses one of the most alarming challenges to European security in the post-Cold War era, with ripple effects far beyond the continent. In this Council of Councils global perspectives series, four experts analyze the implications for Russia, Europe, and the world.
Jan 19, 2022
Dr. Ruxandra Divan rests in the Intensive Care Unit for COVID-19 patients at Hopitaux Civils de Colmar in Colmar, France on December 15, 2021. REUTERS/Yves Herman

COVID-19 After Two Years: The Failure of Pandemic Governance

Countries have made too little progress in 2021 against COVID-19. Combating COVID-19 and strengthening pandemic governance remain daunting challenges in 2022—made more difficult by diminished confidence in multilateralism, no consensus on pandemic governance reforms, and the global spread of the highly transmissible omicron variant.
Dr. Ruxandra Divan rests in the Intensive Care Unit for COVID-19 patients at Hopitaux Civils de Colmar in Colmar, France on December 15, 2021. REUTERS/Yves Herman
Countries have made too little progress in 2021 against COVID-19. Combating COVID-19 and strengthening pandemic governance remain daunting challenges in 2022—made more difficult by diminished confidence in multilateralism, no consensus on pandemic governance reforms, and the global spread of the highly transmissible omicron variant.
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.