Council of Councils
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Introduction
Over the last several decades, governments have collectively pledged to slow global warming. But despite intensified diplomacy, the world is already facing the consequences of climate…
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How Will China Deal With the Taliban?
China could become a crucial supporter of Taliban-led Afghanistan, building Beijing’s influence in South and Central Asia as long as the regime in Kabul does not export extremism.
How the Afghan Army Collapsed Under the Taliban’s Pressure
Despite having larger numbers and better equipment than the Taliban, Afghan forces were never strong enough to sustain government control in the absence of U.S. firepower.
How Has the Terrorism Threat Changed Twenty Years After 9/11?
The U.S. counterterrorism response to the September 11, 2001, attacks yielded some remarkable successes and disastrous failures in hunting al-Qaeda. The top terrorist threat today, though, is domestic rather than foreign.
Why NOAA Matters for U.S. Climate Policy
The federal agency tasked with weather forecasting and research has played a growing role in climate policy, but also faced controversy during the Trump administration. What does NOAA do?
The COVID-19 Vaccination Challenge: Lessons From History
Vaccines are a major public health success story, but the COVID-19 pandemic underscores the many challenges involved in getting a vaccine to everyone who needs it.
Five Graphics That Show the Delta Variant’s Threat
The Delta variant is driving new COVID-19 surges, even as countries around the world make gradual progress in vaccinating their populations. Five graphics show how the strain is taking over and who’s at risk.
The Assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise: What to Know
The murder of Haiti’s embattled president stands to deepen the country’s political, economic, and humanitarian crisis.
Here’s Why Tokyo Is Hosting the Summer Olympics Despite COVID-19
The challenge of hosting the Olympic Games in Tokyo amid the coronavirus pandemic has confounded Japan’s government, but postponing the Olympics further does not seem to be an option.
Iran Has a New President. What Does That Mean for the Nuclear Deal?
Ebrahim Raisi, a staunch regime loyalist, can be expected to follow through on talks to revive the nuclear deal but rebuff attempts to further limit Iran’s weapons programs and regional behavior.
After Geneva Summit, Daunting Diplomacy Ahead for U.S. and Russia
The first summit between Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin eased some of the tension in the fraught U.S.-Russia relationship. It also laid bare the difficult path ahead to resolving differences on many issues, including cybersecurity and human rights.
Iran’s Presidential Election: What to Know
Iran holds its presidential election on June 18, and turnout is expected to be low as the country deals with a battered economy and the ongoing pandemic. But does the Iranian president matter?
How Much Is Too Much? The U.S. Inflation Debate Heats Up
Some experts are sounding the alarm over rising inflation in the United States, despite assurances from the Federal Reserve. Here’s what to know.
What to Watch for at the Biden-Putin Summit
U.S.-Russia bilateral relations have fallen to a new low, with Ukraine, Belarus, cyberattacks, and nuclear weapons among the biggest disagreements. What’s the best way to judge this summit’s success?
Will Peru’s Polarized Election Bring More Instability?
In a June 6 presidential runoff, Peruvians will choose between divisive candidates whose campaigns have raised concerns about the country lurching into extremist policies and democratic backsliding. The result could spell further instability for the country and even the region.
The Quad in the Indo-Pacific: What to Know
The Quad, composed of the United States, Australia, India, and Japan, is not a formal alliance. Still, the group has intensified its security and economic ties as tensions with China rise.