AN INITIATIVE OF THE COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS connecting leading global foreign policy institutes
These briefs are a feature of the Council of Councils initiative, gathering opinions from global experts on major international developments.
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.
While Israel has largely abstained from direct involvement in the Syrian civil war, it has a vested interest in the conflict’s outcome and should support a resolution to the conflict that reflects both its humanitarian concerns and national security interests: ending the carnage and limiting the threat posed by the Iran-led axis.
While Israel has largely abstained from direct involvement in the Syrian civil war, it has a vested interest in the conflict’s outcome and should support a resolution to the conflict that reflects both its humanitarian concerns and national security interests: ending the carnage and limiting the threat posed by the Iran-led axis.
Council of Councils members offer their perspectives on the upcoming G20 leaders summit, which will be held in Hamburg, Germany, on July 7–8.
Council of Councils members offer their perspectives on the upcoming G20 leaders summit, which will be held in Hamburg, Germany, on July 7–8.
Developments in the past six months have fed perceptions that, while the EU is not perfect, it is no longer under threat of collapse. However, this emerging perception could induce a dangerously complacent attitude that EU leaders can ill afford. In fact, the EU remains mired in a crisis of confidence and legitimacy of unprecedented proportion. What is needed, therefore, is a sober assessment of the challenges and risks that the EU faces and its possible options to sort out the present crisis and resume a sustainable integration path forward.
Developments in the past six months have fed perceptions that, while the EU is not perfect, it is no longer under threat of collapse. However, this emerging perception could induce a dangerously complacent attitude that EU leaders can ill afford. In fact, the EU remains mired in a crisis of confidence and legitimacy of unprecedented proportion. What is needed, therefore, is a sober assessment of the challenges and risks that the EU faces and its possible options to sort out the present crisis and resume a sustainable integration path forward.
Bartosz Wisniewski of the Polish Institute of International Affairs examines the future of NATO under the Trump administration. He finds that growing tensions in East Asia might serve as a reinforcing argument for those in the United States who urge European NATO members to do more for common defense. And given Trump’s participation, the late May NATO leaders’ meeting in Brussels will be the best opportunity for his administration so far to revisit some basics truths about the value of alliances, and NATO in particular.
Bartosz Wisniewski of the Polish Institute of International Affairs examines the future of NATO under the Trump administration. He finds that growing tensions in East Asia might serve as a reinforcing argument for those in the United States who urge European NATO members to do more for common defense. And given Trump’s participation, the late May NATO leaders’ meeting in Brussels will be the best opportunity for his administration so far to revisit some basics truths about the value of alliances, and NATO in particular.
It remains difficult to predict who will be the eventual winner of France’s upcoming presidential elections, but two of the four candidates that could emerge victorious support policies far outside the traditional French and European consensus. Their extreme positions may lead to the end of French membership in both the EU and the NATO, and consequently unravel the postwar effort to bind the European continent.
It remains difficult to predict who will be the eventual winner of France’s upcoming presidential elections, but two of the four candidates that could emerge victorious support policies far outside the traditional French and European consensus. Their extreme positions may lead to the end of French membership in both the EU and the NATO, and consequently unravel the postwar effort to bind the European continent.
While the protection of data is at the center of cybersecurity, privacy, and internet functioning, most of us are end users of the information that data comprises. Approaches to cyber governance need to give more prominence to the concept of information integrity in addition to the current emphasis on data security. Safeguarding a trustworthy internet and building confidence in the integrity of information is a critical part of a strong cybersecurity regime because there is a growing risk that political and personal decisions are based on inadequate or false information in cyberspace.
While the protection of data is at the center of cybersecurity, privacy, and internet functioning, most of us are end users of the information that data comprises. Approaches to cyber governance need to give more prominence to the concept of information integrity in addition to the current emphasis on data security. Safeguarding a trustworthy internet and building confidence in the integrity of information is a critical part of a strong cybersecurity regime because there is a growing risk that political and personal decisions are based on inadequate or false information in cyberspace.
For the past two years, global trade volumes have plateaued. But the importance of trade as an engine for global prosperity and welfare, and as the embodiment of an integrated, peaceful world has not diminished. In the face of changed circumstances—growing public skepticism of globalization and free trade, and volatile domestic politics—the case for open exchange must be made and not simply assumed. It should also be backed by credible, workable arrangements that reflect reality.
For the past two years, global trade volumes have plateaued. But the importance of trade as an engine for global prosperity and welfare, and as the embodiment of an integrated, peaceful world has not diminished. In the face of changed circumstances—growing public skepticism of globalization and free trade, and volatile domestic politics—the case for open exchange must be made and not simply assumed. It should also be backed by credible, workable arrangements that reflect reality.
After a tumultuous 2016, the world holds its breath for what the coming year may bring. Angry populism is on the march. Great power relations are tense. The Middle East has imploded. Meanwhile, President-Elect Donald J. Trump proposes to upend U.S. foreign policy in areas from trade to climate, alliances to nonproliferation, terrorism to human rights. In a world in disarray, can multilateralism deliver? Ten major summits during 2017 will help provide an answer. Here’s what to look for at each summit.
After a tumultuous 2016, the world holds its breath for what the coming year may bring. Angry populism is on the march. Great power relations are tense. The Middle East has imploded. Meanwhile, President-Elect Donald J. Trump proposes to upend U.S. foreign policy in areas from trade to climate, alliances to nonproliferation, terrorism to human rights. In a world in disarray, can multilateralism deliver? Ten major summits during 2017 will help provide an answer. Here’s what to look for at each summit.
Council of Councils members offer their perspectives on the impact of President-Elect Trump on global cooperation and some advice for the incoming administration.
Council of Councils members offer their perspectives on the impact of President-Elect Trump on global cooperation and some advice for the incoming administration.
Ahead of the eighth annual Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BWC), Oliver Meier of the German Institute for International and Security Affairs assesses the remaining challenges that threaten to undermine international norms against the use of bioweapons, outlines the diverging visions for the BWC, and provides recommendations for how to move forward.
Ahead of the eighth annual Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BWC), Oliver Meier of the German Institute for International and Security Affairs assesses the remaining challenges that threaten to undermine international norms against the use of bioweapons, outlines the diverging visions for the BWC, and provides recommendations for how to move forward.
