My latest writing for the @ChicagoCouncil on Global Affairs. From Davos to Munich to the Board of Peace, recent events have made clear that the West is scrambling. It is an open question as to whether the West will hold together and can remain relevant.
globalaffairs.org/commentary/a...
This week, American Enterprise Institute's @kschake.bsky.social joined Council President & CEO @leslievinjamuri.bsky.social to discuss how the relationship between between America's civilian leaders and its military is evolving. Watch the full conversation: bit.ly/4qOEMVp
And we’re live — @munsecconf.bsky.social starts in 4 days.
Great contributions by @leslievinjamuri.bsky.social Anne-Marie Slaughter @james-rogers.bsky.social @jpuglierin.bsky.social @claudmajor.bsky.social Patrick Keller @nicolange.bsky.social @joerglau.bsky.social Sophie Eisentraut & columnists
The Trump administration's recently released National Defense Strategy "wholly ignores one of the primary stressors in the global security environment: climate change," write Council Senior Nonresident Fellow @busbyj2.bsky.social and Greg Pollock. They explore the implications in @foreignpolicy.com:
Recently, the Council welcomed our 2026 cohort of Emerging Leaders, together with many program alumni. We are excited to kick off a new season of programming! Special thanks to Ashish Lal for supporting this event, and to Endy Zemenides and the Hellenic American Leadership Council for hosting!
Last night in Davos, Council President and CEO @leslievinjamuri.bsky.social joined a dinner co-hosted with Aon, the @ifrc.org, the World Bank, and the @iom.int, focused on reimagining humanitarian finance and reducing volatility in forced migration.
My latest, will Davos go to Detroit?
globalaffairs.org/commentary/a...
Senator Durbin speaks live now at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs about transatlantic relations. The Senator travelled to Denmark as part of a bipartisan Congressional delegation.
Media raises multiple questions about ICE
m.youtube.com/watch?v=5BN5...
LIVE NOW: IL Senator @durbin.senate.gov holds a press conference at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs to discuss his recent bipartisan, bicameral congressional delegation to Denmark. Tune in now: bit.ly/4pOjsih
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My latest. This time on Greenland. Hope you will give it a read.
In deploying troops to Greenland, Europeans are handing the president a gift: a pretense for backing down.
globalaffairs.org/commentary/a...
Promotional graphic for the Council's 2/5 event "10 Conflicts to Watch: A Conversation with Comfort Ero," featuring event details and speaker headshots over a dark blue background.
Which armed conflicts will define 2026? And what forces—whether local, regional, or global—will shape their trajectories? On 2/5, @crisisgroup.org President and CEO @comfortero.crisisgroup.org joins @leslievinjamuri.bsky.social to discuss what to watch in the year ahead. brnw.ch/21wZ7TH
Violent crackdowns, internet shutdowns, and a rising death toll. I spoke with Azadeh Moaveni of @nyu_journalism and @sanamvakil.bsky.social of @chathamhouse.org on the Deep Dish podcast this week about these developments and more in Iran. brnw.ch/21wZ7LC
Leslie Vinjamuri and Julianne Smith onstage.
Leslie Vinjamuri and Julianne Smith onstage.
John DeBlasio speaking onstage.
A group of student attendees posing for a photo.
How are recent conflicts stress-testing global alliances? This week, former US Ambassador to NATO and Council Distinguished Nonresident Fellow Julianne Smith joined @leslievinjamuri.bsky.social for a conversation on the future of alliances in today’s changing world.
I am thrilled to welcome Dr Evan Medeiros to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs @global-affairs.bsky.social as Distinguished Nonresident Fellow on China. Medeiros is currently the Penner Family Chair at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service
brnw.ch/21wZ5A4
Leslie Vinjamuri and Julianne Smith speak on the Council stage
"You can feel this palpable sense of nervousness and anxiety on the other side of the pond," Council Distinguished Nonresident Fellow Ambassador Julianne Smith says of the current state of the transatlantic relationship.
Watch her conversation with @leslievinjamuri.bsky.social ➡️ brnw.ch/21wZ3yC
There is little evidence that what we had come to assume was and should be the top geopolitical priority for the United States, namely managing the China challenge, is actually the top priority.
globalaffairs.org/commentary/a...
A promo graphic for the Council's 1/13 event "The Future of Alliances in a Changing World," featuring event details and speaker headshots over a blue background.
From US threats over Greenland and Arctic tensions to instability in Venezuela and the Western Hemisphere, America's alliances are facing new pressures. On 1/13, Julianne Smith joins @leslievinjamuri.bsky.social to discuss how these actions are testing US alliances. brnw.ch/21wYU7l
Looking forward to speaking with Ambassador Julie Smith on Tuesday.
Some initial thoughts by me and some super smart colleagues @global-affairs.bsky.social
"This is a US that cares about geopolitical competition,"
the Council's @leslievinjamuri.bsky.social tells @cnn.com. "It's also willing to push the boundaries of what we have come to see as normal, expected, legitimate, international behavior."
More on the US intervention in Venezuela ⤵️
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were captured by US military forces on Saturday amid a "large-scale strike" against the country. What comes next?
Chicago Council experts assess the immediate and long-term stakes for the region and the world. ⤵️
"When oil trading begins on Sunday night..it will be the first test of whether Trump’s exhortations that the United States will “run” Venezuela will inspire confidence." Read our latest expert analysis by @rb312.bsky.social
globalaffairs.org/commentary/a...
We continue to add new expert commentary to this link. Latest piece by @CooleyOnEurasia on the implications for Russia and China. Note that Venezuela is China's largest debtor in Latin America. globalaffairs.org/commentary/a...
This one well worth reading
I had not even considered this but ..
"The Trump administration’s attack on Venezuela gives Beijing another opening to portray China as a more responsible international actor than the United States."
If drug trafficking, an illegitimate electoral victory, or control of oil is the new bar for a US military takeover, we are in for quite a rough ride in 2026.
My comment, alongside that of several colleagues @global-affairs.bsky.social
globalaffairs.org/commentary/a...
Read @busbyj2.bsky.social "Washington’s capacity to manage and support a transition in Venezuela is suspect given the downscaling of diplomacy and development assets at State, the dissolution of USAID, and the reorientation of the Department of Defense"
globalaffairs.org/commentary/a...
"Beijing has had an “all-weather strategic partnership” with Venezuela and President Nicolás Maduro in particular, based in large part on China’s need for oil and Venezuela’s need for investment"
Read Paul Heer of the @global-affairs.bsky.social Chicago Council
globalaffairs.org/commentary/a...
