Do democratic values advantage America and its allies in today’s geopolitical competition? Tomorrow evening, join @IRIglobal President @DCTwining, @NDI President Tamara Cofman Wittes, and Council President and CEO @londonvinjamuri for a discussion of how the US can tackle the challenges posed by authoritarian rivals and maintain the support of the American people in doing so.​​​ Register to attend in-person or virtually: bit.ly/4Ax7VKz

Following the Warsaw Security Forum, Council President Leslie Vinjamuri (@londonvinjamuri) and Council Vice President of Research Ariane Tabatabai examine NATO’s deterrence strategy and the political divisions facing the alliance. bit.ly/4ibOPBt

Last week was another busy one in Chicago for the Council. While part of our team was in Poland for the Warsaw Security Forum, colleagues here in Chicago brought members and experts together for conversations spanning US-China relations, food insecurity, national security, and more. A few highlights from the week’s programming: Roundtable with Congressman Jason Crow (@RepJasonCrow) on the Use of Force: Congressman Crow joined Council Senior Advisor to the CEO Eric Pierce to discuss national security and the use of force. Abiding Hunger: Why Food Insecurity Persists in America: Devita Davison, Amy Laboy, @RogerThurow, and Catherine Bertini (@C_A_Bertini) examined why food insecurity persists despite America’s extraordinary abundance and what can be done to expand reliable access to food. Roundtable with Jonathan Cheng (@JChengWSJ): The @WSJ’s China Bureau Chief joined Council members for a private discussion on US-China relations and his experiences as a journalist in Asia. Emerging Leaders Session with Congressman Sean Casten (@RepCasten): The Class of 2026 joined US Representative Casten for a discussion on economic uncertainty and the reshaping of the workforce. Young Professionals Network Happy Hour: YP members gathered at @united headquarters for an evening of networking and connection. The Council’s fall programming continues with a full slate of conversations on the issues shaping our world. Explore our upcoming events and join us for a discussion: bit.ly/4jsZGJz

With the midterm elections weeks away, how might the results shift US foreign policy? Council Distinguished Nonresident Fellow Evan Medeiros shared his thoughts in a virtual program yesterday, comparing this moment to the midterms in 2018. "A Congress that is a different party than the president rarely reverses the president's foreign policy outright, but usually what it does is it raises the cost through investigations, funding conditions, personal fights, [and] symbolic votes." Watch the full conversation with Medeiros, Council Senior Nonresident Fellow Armida van Rij, Council Vice President of Research for Security and Defense Ariane Tabatabai, and Council President and CEO @londonvinjamuri: bit.ly/4s7bp2I

Who decides whether the United States goes to war? @RepJasonCrow (D-CO) says the balance has tipped: “Far too much power resides within the presidency now, and it's time for Congress to step up and take back its duty and its responsibility." Crow joined the Council for a private roundtable chaired by Council Senior Advisor to the CEO Eric Pierce to discuss the War Powers Resolution, the use of force under US law, and the military’s evolving global posture.

Whatever the outcome, the 2026 midterms will help set the political terrain for American foreign policy over the next two years. The results could reshape debates over trade, defense spending, support for Ukraine, and relations with allies, while offering new clues about which foreign policy priorities have public support and political staying power. What will the new balance of power mean for US foreign policy? Where might the election reinforce the direction Washington is already heading, and where could it force a change in course? And what should allies and adversaries take away from the results? On November 5, join @Princeton's John Ikenberry, @CFR_org's @CharlesKupchan and @shannonkoneil, @PIIE's @AdamPosen, and Council President and CEO @londonvinjamuri for a conversation on what the midterms mean for the next chapter of American foreign policy. Register to attend in-person or virtually today: bit.ly/4yTyYyF

Armida van Rij, Evan Medeiros, Ariane Tabatabai, and Leslie Vinjamuri discuss what is at stake for US foreign policy and the world in the upcoming midterm elections. xitter.cf/i/broadcasts/1XxygwjNB…

"Here's the headline: food insecurity isn't a character flaw. It is a household budget that doesn't add up," @FeedingAmerica's Devita Davison shared on the Council stage last night. On #WorldFoodDay, watch her full conversation with author and former Council fellow @RogerThurow, @FoodDepository's Amy Laboy, and Council Distinguished Fellow @C_A_Bertini on why food insecurity persists despite America’s extraordinary abundance and what can be done to expand reliable access to food: bit.ly/4xLlDHl

Today is #WorldFoodDay, a day for promoting innovation and action towards reliable, affordable, and nutritious food for people everywhere. At a Council event last night, author and former Council fellow Roger Thurow argued for renewed efforts towards ending hunger as America celebrates its 250th year. "The first Declaration of Independence was from  the oppression and tyranny of foreign rulers. Now we need a new Declaration of Independence from the tyranny of hunger in our own country." Watch the full conversation with @RogerThurow, @FeedingAmerica's Devita Davison, @FoodDepository's Amy Laboy, and Council Distinguished Fellow @C_A_Bertini: bit.ly/4xLlDHl

"As an organization created and empowered by nations, the UN can only ever be as good as its Member States—collectively—make possible," Council Lester Crown Senior Nonresident Fellow @SuzanneNossel writes in a new white paper for the Starling Institute. Read more ⤵️ bit.ly/4sih8Tp

Geopolitical upheaval, conflict, shifting trade, advances in AI, and changes in agricultural research and investment are reshaping how food is produced, traded, and delivered, from farms across the American Midwest to communities facing hunger and instability worldwide. We invited leading experts and practitioners to examine what this means for the future of food and agriculture, and how the US and its partners can build long-term food security. With insights from Bob Easter, Andrew Natsios, Hope Michelson, @DanRGlickman, Alesha Miller, @Ertharin1 Cousin, and @ZachHelder. Read the collection: bit.ly/4Bb7N3K

Devita Davison, Amy Laboy, Roger Thurow, and Catherine Bertini examine why food insecurity persists despite America’s extraordinary abundance and what can be done to expand reliable access to food. xitter.cf/i/broadcasts/1nxeLMRoy…

The United Kingdom is navigating a period of significant change. Abroad, this means a new chapter in its relationship with Washington and renewed engagement with Europe. At home, rising support for populist and independence parties is prompting questions about Britain’s identity and direction. What do these changes mean for Britain and its international values and priorities? On October 26, join former UK Foreign Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister @DavidLammy and Council President and CEO @londonvinjamuri for a live recording of the Council’s Deep Dish on Global Affairs podcast exploring British politics, foreign policy, and the future of the special relationship. Register to attend in-person or virtually today: bit.ly/4z2pHEg

"A lot of people who support Donald Trump are not fighting for better public policy. They're fighting because they hate Washington and they hate what Washington has done to them," Steve Clemons (@SCClemons), editor-at-large of @TheNatlInterest, told Council President and CEO @londonvinjamuri on this week's episode of Deep Dish. Ahead of the midterm elections, they discussed how the second Trump administration's approach to foreign policy could influence the results. Listen now: bit.ly/4ipBqGf

The 2026 midterm elections will be a consequential moment for American politics, with potential implications far beyond the country's borders. As voters prepare to elect members of Congress, the results could alter the political landscape in Washington, DC, and influence the direction and priorities of US foreign policy. On October 19, join Council Senior Nonresident Fellow for European Security and Politics Armida van Rij, Council Distinguished Nonresident Fellow for China Evan Medeiros, Council Vice President of Research for Security and Defense Ariane Tabatabai, and Council President and CEO @londonvinjamuri for a virtual conversation on what's at stake in the midterms. Register to watch today: bit.ly/4s7bp2I

What does a more capable Europe mean for US leadership? “We may find from time to time they say, ‘Hold up. We have a different view on this,'" Council Distinguished Nonresident Fellow @Julie_C_Smith said on a transatlantic alliance panel at the 2026 @WarsawForum. "'And we are going to challenge some of what you're putting forward.’” Later that day, she joined Council President and CEO @londonvinjamuri for a session produced by the Council in partnership with the Warsaw Security Forum on how the midterm elections could make or break the NATO alliance. 📹: Warsaw Security Forum