Global Insights

The rise of autocracy and illiberalism has concerned many observers, even those covering the mainstream political discourse of the world’s largest democracies. Thirty years after Francis Fukuyama wrote about the triumph of liberal democracy, it is clear that illiberalism remains a pressing concern in the twenty-first century; what’s less clear is how we should interpret this illiberal wave sweepin...

In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, artificial intelligence (AI) has started revolutionizing every facet of our lives, including warfare. AI-driven robots and drones, equipped with machine-learning algorithms, navigate complex terrains, conduct surveillance, and execute missions with unparalleled precision. This ability to process vast amounts of data in real-time and make split-second decisi...

On September 10, 2023, the United States elevated its partnership with Vietnam to the status of a Comprehensive Strategic Partner, marking a significant milestone in their bilateral relations. Today we delve into the significance of this development, exploring the opportunities, challenges, and potential for cooperation between these two nations. How did these two former enemies transform into two...

Thirty years ago South Africa–the most rigidly implemented segregationist regime modern history has ever known–became a democracy, with high hopes and heady expectations. These days, it’s more likely to enter the news for drought, crime, corruption, or infrastructural decay. But what has really happened since South Africa’s democratic transition? Is it fair to say the post-apartheid country has le...

In Europe, a political transformation is unfolding, marked by the resurgence of right-wing movements in countries like Slovakia, Spain, Poland, and Italy. This shift has thrust the future of pressing issues—immigration, LGBTQ rights, the Ukrainian conflict, and more—into question. Revisiting a prior conversation with Professor Sheri Berman from Columbia University and Susi Dennison, Senior Fellow...

With the UN Security Council failing to issue a unified response to the Israel-Hamas war, questions about the efficacy of the UN and its structures are again at the fore. Furthermore, competing multilateral blocs like NATO, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and the now-expanded BRICS alliance are asserting their significance, influencing global decision-making and reshaping multilateral...

The term ‘de-risking’ has emerged as a central theme in discussions of the U.S.-China relationship, commanding attention from scholars, economists, and policymakers who are exploring strategies to diversify U.S. economic ties away from China. Since its introduction in March 2023, both the Biden administration and the G-7 have incorporated ‘de-risking’ into their discourse to describe their trade a...

For decades, the U.S. dollar has reigned supreme as a dominant force in global markets, earning it the moniker of a “global currency.” This dominance has bestowed significant economic, political, and social advantages upon the United States. However, critics contend that the dollar’s supremacy might come at a price, potentially leading to issues like increased unemployment and debt. It has also ig...

Vital to both the economy and national security, critical minerals are the lifeblood of the modern world. These essential resources power industries that drive innovation, but their supply chains is vulnerable to disruption. As nations increase their reliance on electrical energy and transition to low-carbon power sources, the demand for these minerals, including aluminum, cobalt, lithium, mangane...

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has highlighted the importance of Poland as a strategic ally for the United States and NATO. While Warsaw has been a steadfast partner for Western support of Ukraine, including serving as a logistical hub for the war effort as well as a haven for Ukrainian refugees, its domestic policies are seen as becoming less democratic. Since 2015, Poland’s conservative governi...

Two years ago, the world watched in horror as violence erupted once again in Israel and Gaza, leaving entire communities in ruins. We recorded a critical discussion then, seeking answers to the questions of "Why and What’s Next" But here we are, in 2023, a mirror of the past, with new casualties, new crises, and renewed tensions. Today’s suffering reflects a tragic cycle, so we're r...

In light of the recent surprise assault launched by Hamas in Israel, Network 20/20 is revisiting a crucial discussion on the long-standing Israel-Palestine conflict and its humanitarian impact. This episode was recorded in June of 2021, but we believe it's more relevant than ever . On May 10, 2021, escalating violence in Jerusalem led to a deadly exchange of rockets resulting in over 250 Pale...

Democracy promotion has long been a key component of U.S. foreign policy, but this objective has become increasingly more complex in recent years. On the one hand, democracy promotion is now a more pressing goal than ever before, as democracies around the world face a multitude of domestic and international threats. On the other hand, many have argued that the United States is no longer in a posit...

Over the past two decades, major powers including Russia, China, and the U.S. have significantly increased their engagement with countries on the African continent. These activities—including trade, investment, infrastructure development, and military cooperation— can influence regional conflicts, resource allocation, and international alliances. With China’s growing global influence and Russia’s...

How does J. Robert Oppenheimer's journey from the Manhattan Project to his post-war advocacy for nuclear disarmament connect to today's discussions on nuclear proliferation in North Korea? Join us for a discussion with Dr. Siegfried S. Hecker , Former Director of the Los Alamos National Laboratory, Professor Emeritus of Stanford University, and the author of “Hinge Points: An Inside Look...

Following WWII, the United States created a world order that catapulted it to preeminent global power status at the end of the Cold War. Yet, events of the past few years have signaled that U.S. relative power is declining. From the rise of a multipolar world to domestic divisions at home, the future of the U.S. is uncertain. By what measures should we be assessing global power and how does the U....

Truth is often a moving target, and the battle between misinformation, partial truths, and outright lies challenges democracies to decide between preserving freedom of speech and safeguarding the integrity of information. How are new technologies fueling the spread of misinformation worldwide, and how can democracies tackle the rising tide of online violence and propaganda? "Sunrise Expeditio...

There are now 72 countries with space programs and dozens of major players in the private sector. A new space race is looming, and as we transition from the age of discovery to that of security and commerce, what actions must the United States and its allies and partners take to safeguard the future of this global commons? What legal frameworks, investments, and new partnerships must be made or ch...

Cluster munitions, known for their strategic impact and contentious humanitarian implications, have taken center stage as the United States provides them to Ukraine. What strategic considerations led Ukraine to seek cluster munitions? How does the Biden administration balance military advantages with potential humanitarian risks? And why has there been limited international response to this contro...

Following the Cold War, the U.S. enjoyed a period of unrivaled global dominance and influence. However, with China’s rise, a disruptive Russia, and hedging Middle Powers, it is widely agreed that the current liberal international order led by the United States is under strain. Given that the United States’ relative influence is not at the same level as it was during that of the post-Cold War “unip...

Last Thursday, North Korea held a military parade to mark "Victory Day," the anniversary of the ceasefire that ended fighting on the Korean Peninsula. Today, we thought it would be a good time to take a look back at an older episode on North Korea: An Analysis of Fact and Fiction, where we take a deep dive into the realities of the country as we know them and the reasons behind their dec...

Decades after the bloody fall of Yugoslavia, tensions continue to simmer in the Western Balkans region. As Serbia continues its candidacy for accession to the EU, pressure is rising to resolve the question of Kosovo, with the dispute over Kosovo’s territory seeing cyclical flare-ups in tension. Meanwhile, Russia seeks to maintain its influence over the region as more Western Balkan states move tow...

Join us in a discussion first held on April 19, 2022 between Jamie Shea , Visiting Professor of Strategy and Security of the Strategy and Security Institute, University of Exeter, United Kingdom and member of the Group of Strategic Advisors of the NATO Special Operations Forces Command at SHAPE in Belgium, Rachel Rizzo , Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Europe Center, and Rajan...

Under the rule of President Xi Jinping, China has become a 21st century power, and a formidable competitor to the United States. Having consolidated greater power in his person than any other leader since Mao and abetted by a loyal cadre that make up China’s top leadership, Xi’s global ambitions for China has led him to abandon decades of Chinese restraint in favor of a muscular approach designed...

Under the Trump Administration, the State Department took a public hammering: funding cuts of up to a third were proposed, diversity in top positions has been practically nonexistent, more than a third of top-tier positions went vacant or were filled by acting officials, and seven percent of the Department’s staff left in one year. Yet, the issues the State Department faces have roots that predate...