These briefs are a feature of the Council of Councils initiative, gathering opinions from global experts on major international developments.

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Global Memos

These briefs are a feature of the Council of Councils initiative, gathering opinions from global experts on major international developments. 

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Global Perspectives

Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz receives U.S. President Joe Biden at Al Salman Palace upon his arrival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, July 15, 2022. Bandar Algaloud/Courtesy of Saudi Royal Court/Handout via REUTERS

Why the U.S. Presidential Election Matters for the Middle East

Oct 31, 2024

The November 2024 U.S. presidential election will have serious implications for the world. In the fifth and final installment of a five-part series, this global perspectives roundup features four reflections on why the U.S. election outcome matters for the Middle East.

Oct 18, 2024

Mexico's Attorney General Alejandro Gertz Manero, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Mexican Security Minister Rosa Icela Rodriguez, Mexican Foreign Minister Alicia Barcena, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, and U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland attend a meeting with senior U.S. officials and senior Mexico officials to discuss security and arms trafficking, at the National Palace, in Mexico City, Mexico October 5, 2023. REUTERS/Henry Romero

Why the U.S. Presidential Election Matters for the Americas

The November 2024 U.S. presidential election will have serious implications for the world. In the fourth of a five-part series, this global perspectives roundup features three reflections on why the U.S. election outcome matters for the Americas.

Sep 27, 2024

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat participate in a working lunch on multilateral cooperation at the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, in Washington, U.S., December 15, 2022. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein

Why the U.S. Presidential Election Matters for Africa

The November 2024 U.S. presidential election will have serious implications for the world. In the third of a five-part series, this global perspectives roundup features three reflections on why the U.S. election outcome matters for Africa.

Sep 16, 2024

U.S. President Joe Biden walks with Chinese President Xi Jinping at Filoli estate on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, in Woodside, California, U.S., November 15, 2023. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

Why the U.S. Presidential Election Matters for the Indo-Pacific

The November 2024 U.S. presidential election will have serious implications for the world. In the second of a five-part series, this global perspectives roundup features four reflections on why the U.S. election outcome matters for the Indo-Pacific.

Sep 03, 2024

Two national flags of Ukraine flank the European Union flag in the foreground to the NATO emblem with storm clouds in the background in central Kyiv, Ukraine on July 11, 2023. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko

Why the U.S. Presidential Election Matters for Europe

The November 2024 U.S. presidential election will have serious implications for the world. In the first of a five-part series, this global perspectives roundup features four reflections on why the U.S. election outcome matters for Europe.

Aug 29, 2024

An old man casts his vote into a clear voting box at a polling station during the general elections in Sale, Morocco on September 7, 2007. REUTERS/Rafael Marchante

Diplomacy at the Ballot Box: The Rising Electoral Salience of Foreign Policy

In recent decades, the once-clear divide between domestic politics and foreign policy has blurred. Foreign policy decisions now appear to significantly influence voter perceptions—ultimately reflecting the growing electoral salience of diplomacy in democracies.

Jul 17, 2024

Leaders attend a meeting of the North Atlantic Council at a huge roundtable in a dark room with banners on the wall during the NATO summit in Washington, DC, on July 11, 2024. 

Trump and NATO: Global Perspectives on the 2024 NATO Summit and America

Council of Councils experts react to commitments made at the NATO summit, and the alliance's future given the uncertainty of the upcoming U.S. election.

Jul 03, 2024

A girl plays with a ball decorated as globe in front of buildings during the Global Climate Strike of the Fridays for Future movement in Sao Paulo, Brazil on September 20, 2019. 

Shared Leadership: What the World Needs Now

What should a new order look like, who will build it, and how will it be respected? While the answers are difficult, it is clear that shared leadership is necessary to meet today’s challenges.

Jun 20, 2024

Group of Seven (G7) and invited leaders pose for a family photo on the second day of the G7 summit in Savelletri, Italy on June 14, 2024. REUTERS/Louisa Gouliamaki

Global Perspectives on the G7 Summit: Significant Achievements But Uncertainty Abounds

In this global perspective roundup, seven experts reflect on the significant outcomes of the Group of Seven (G7) summit and highlight the uncertainty of future accomplishments given domestic political turmoil in almost all G7 countries.

Jun 04, 2024

Former U.S. President Donald Trump leaves the New York State Supreme Court looking downtrodden on May 30, 2024. JUSTIN LANE/Pool via REUTERS

The Global Implications of Trump’s Conviction

Trump's conviction is a blow to global U.S. standing, increases anxiety in close allies, and previews a new debased discourse on democracy.

May 28, 2024

A woman passes in the forefront of an artificial intelligence sign in shades of futuristic blue is seen at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, China on July 6, 2023. REUTERS/Aly Song

Global Perspectives on the AI for Good Global Summit

Four Council of Councils experts preview the 2024 AI for Good Global Summit and write on what they think should be the highest priority for leaders on a consensus AI policy.