Karen DeYoung, Steve Erlanger, and Gideon Rachman join Ivo Daalder to discuss 2022’s biggest stories in their eyes. From the Ukraine-Russia war and its impact on global markets to the faltering of authoritarian rule and the unexpected revival of the West, they reflect on a tumultuous year and what 2023 might hold.

Sweden and Finland have officially applied for NATO membership following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, marking a significant security policy change for the two Nordic nations. In light of this historic geopolitical shift, experts discuss what obstacles remain to a northern enlargement of NATO, how Moscow might respond, and the overall implications for European security.

A flurry of meetings and calls have taken place in recent days between the leaders and top diplomats of the United States, Russia, Ukraine, and European nations, in an effort to forestall potential Russian military action in Ukraine. With a diplomatic breakthrough remaining elusive and Russian forces continuing to mass close to Ukraine’s border, what might be President Putin’s next move—and is there still hope for de-escalation? General Wesley K. Clark, Ivo H. Daalder, Susan Glasser, Bianna Golodryga and Lieutenant General Mark Hertling discuss this, and more, as tensions with Russia continue to grow.

The Summit for Democracy on December 9 and 10 brought together the heads of over 100 countries to discuss the state of political freedom around the world. Convened by President Biden, the Summit struck a somber tone, as participants grappled with the growing power of authoritarian states and the rising popularity of populist leaders within the democratic world. Michael Abramowitz, Ivo Daalder, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, and Nathalie Tocci consider the scale of the challenges raised at the Summit, and how the world’s democracies might respond.

Democracies are facing multiplying challenges, from structural changes to geopolitical shifts to cultural transformations. Though the United States remains one of the strongest democratic nations in the world, it is by no means immune to democratic backsliding. As the American public becomes more polarized on issues such as press freedom and US-Russia relations, the question of how core democratic commitments is being even more sharply presented. Will our institutions hold? Do the systemic weaknesses revealed by recent pressures on the US Constitution require fundamental change in how it is interpreted and implemented? How likely is it that our democracy could erode, and can we mitigate the risk?

Identity has become a defining—and divisive—political concept around the world. In recent years appeals to group identity have underpinned the election of Donald Trump, the success of the Brexit “leave” campaign, the rise of politicized Islam and anti-immigrant nationalism, and the emergence of powerful social movements like #metoo. But as demands for recognition based on nationality, ethnicity, religion, and gender have risen in prominence, these narrower identities are conflicting with the universal values of liberal democracy, argues Francis Fukuyama. What is driving the focus on identity in politics today? And can identity be molded in a way that supports rather than undermines democracy?

Food transcends beyond the plate, creating both pleasure and purpose. It defines our place in the world and the issues we care most about. This year’s James Beard Foundation honorees are recognized for their leadership within their communities, their contributions to their cultural heritage, and their utilization of farming and food as a form of advocacy for social good. How have these leaders elevated social issues through food and culture? How have they brought about disruption, awareness, and purposeful change?

Amid Brexit, a rising China, and an increasingly assertive Russia, Germany finds itself in the middle of a range of foreign policy challenges. Meanwhile, reverberations from the US-China trade war are taking their toll on Germany’s export-driven economy, contributing to its slowest rate of growth in five years. The rise of populism worldwide has also reached German politics, with its consequent pressure on Germany’s postwar liberal democracy. As the era of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s leadership comes to a close, how will Germany confront the foreign policy challenges it faces? In what ways will Germany’s internal politics affect its decision-making on external issues? Will the US pullback from the world stage be met with more robust German diplomacy?

America’s post-war history offers a blueprint for a more equitable economic future, argue MIT economists Jonathan Gruber and Simon Johnson. Starting in 1940, unprecedented public investment allowed for breakthroughs in science and technology. Advancements such as radar, digital computers, jet engines, and eventually the internet, enabled America to achieve economic supremacy, and were themselves catalysts for even greater economic growth. Yet in recent decades innovation has tended to reinforce inequality and concentrate wealth in a few coastal enclaves. How can America recreate an economy where the benefits of growth are shared more widely? And will technology help or hinder this process?

The Sahel region of Africa faces many challenges in building a more peaceful and prosperous future. From violent extremism to increasing migrant and refugee flows, instability in the Sahel has become a focus for regional and global policy leaders. In order to achieve a sustainable peace, the underlying causes for regional instability must be addressed. How can sustainable development and regional partnerships help improve security in the Sahel? What other policies can help enhance economic and physical security in the region?

Concerns over Iran’s increasing influence in the Middle East have placed high on the US foreign policy agenda. The alliance with Saudi Arabia, withdrawing from the JCPOA, and recent decision to retain over 2,000 troops in Syria, reflect Washington’s wider effort to contain Tehran. Yet, foreign policy experts warn that America’s new strategy may be missing the bigger picture, namely the changing geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East. New power shifts, such as Turkey’s pivot toward Iran and Russia, and Putin’s increasing role as a mediator in Syria, could weaken America’s influence in the region. How effective is the United States’ current strategy in the Middle East? And how would America’s further disengagement from that part of the world impact its reputation as a global leader?

The Republic of Ghana is widely considered to be a shining star in Sub-Saharan Africa. With growing economic strength and a strong democratic political system that recently experienced another peaceful transition of power, Ghana’s successes mean further prosperity for its people, the West African region, and the African continent. Please join us at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs as we discuss Ghana’s future with President Nana Akufo-Addo.

Is Russia back? Following a decade of post-Soviet malaise, Russia has reemerged under the leadership of President Vladimir Putin as a chief player on the world stage. Indeed, Putin’s Russia has been ever more assertive in testing—and defying—the liberal international order created after World War II. From its annexation of Crimea and intervention in eastern Ukraine, to its burgeoning partnership with China and steady military buildup in the Arctic, Russia is presenting new challenges to the US and its partners around the world. Yet, with a petro-economy the size of Italy’s, few close allies, and military spending eclipsed by that of the US, has Russia truly resumed its Soviet superpower status? How will Russia’s role in the world change in the wake of the US retreat from global leadership?

In the coming years, artificial intelligence could fuel tensions between the United States and China, argues quantitative futurist, Amy Webb. Today, nine giant corporations—six American, three Chinese—control the bulk of the data and advances in computing that underpin these technologies. But while the US tech titans face little oversight and report primarily to shareholders, the Chinese government closely supervises the work of its tech companies, guiding research and investment in ways that are beneficial to the state. With competition between these superpowers intensifying, will China’s centralized, top-down approach give it the edge in the race for technological supremacy? How can the White House, Pentagon, and Silicon Valley craft a shared national strategy for AI?

Trade tensions rose sharply in 2018 between the United States and China as both sides imposed steep tariffs on imports of certain goods. The mounting tension between the world’s two largest economies caused global markets to drop, and uncertainty remains as to whether negotiators will be able to break the impasse and end the trade war. What can we expect in 2019 for US-China economic relations? What happens if the United States and China fail to reach a final agreement on trade issues? Join the Council on Global Affairs as trade experts Phil Levy and Derek Scissors discuss the state of trade relations between the United States and China and the implications for the global economy.

Next year China is expected to implement a far-reaching Social Credit system, using data collected from a multitude of digital sources to score the "trustworthiness" of its citizens. For many in the West, such all-encompassing surveillance might sound darkly Orwellian. But the platforms and devices used by the Chinese system are proliferating, and today the United States government and tech giants like Facebook and Google, possess previously unimaginable troves of information on the public’s activities and interests. How can democratic societies prevent this mass collection of data from being misused in ways that undermine rights and freedoms, or leave public opinion open to manipulation? Where do we draw the line between privacy and transparency in the digital age?

Women's rights have become increasingly important to development efforts. On the eve of International Women's Day 2019, Melanne Verveer joined the Council's Katelyn Jones to consider progress made, to acknowledge past and present challenges, and to identify future policy avenues on the path to gender equality nationally and globally.

We're doing it wrong. As government and the market economy, two highly debated and complex pillars of our society, become more sophisticated and powerful, the core of society, the community, the third pillar, is being lost. When the gap between communities and the political and economic elite grows too wide, it has manifested itself in violence and populism. With communities left out of the equation, Raghuram Rajan suggests that we are "doing it wrong." In an era of globalization and digital connectivity, what does a healthy third pillar look like? Will a shift to strengthening and empowering local communities be the answer to growing economic disparity and political unrest?

In the 1980s Joseph Nye coined the term “soft power,” referring to a country’s ability to attract rather than coerce. For many years America has enticed the world through the appeal of its cultural outputs, even when US foreign policy is unpopular. It has unleashed an attractive arsenal of Hollywood blockbusters, genre-shaping tunes, and mega brands such as McDonald’s and Apple. As these cultural phenomena spread globally, so did US influence, attracting partners and support. Yet, in the age of the “America First” modus operandi, is US soft power—expressed through culture, education, diplomacy and aid—declining? And to what extent is the American story being eclipsed by a rising China, the world's other movie hubs, Bollywood and Nollywood, and even K-pop bands?

In an era of decentralized terrorism, digital threats, and an unpredictable political climate, national security tactics are being put to the test. This is especially true concerning Israel, Palestine, and the United States, where shifts are happening as fast as policy can be developed. How are these actors staying up-to-date with regional and domestic challenges ranging from nuclear dangers, to demographic and societal changes, and political factionalism? And what impact has America’s recent foreign policy shift had in the region? Join the Council, Chuck Freilich, and Shibley Telhami for an exploration of Israel’s national security focus, the current situation in Palestine, US relations, and the impact of Russia’s growing influence in the region.