The Chicago Cubs broke the curse of the Billy Goat when they lifted the Commissioner’s Trophy on November 2, 2016. In a wider sense their dramatic, never-say-die World Series victory also helped to lift a mood of sporting cynicism. In an era when our athletic heroes and teams seem to be mired in scandal as often as they are covered in glory, the Chicago Cubs’ success at the 108th attempt resonated with jaded sports fans across the world. What qualities enabled the young Cubs team of 2016 to triumph where their predecessors had so consistently faltered? Could this epic home town victory inspire change beyond the world of sport, and across Chicago’s communities?

Please join Harry B. Harris, Jr., the commander of US Pacific Command, for a public program at the Council in which he will share his insights on how the United States military can deter threats and ensure security in the Asia Pacific region.

What comes next for the world’s democracies? Can governments and civil society bridge the growing disconnect between citizens and their elected leaders? Can open political systems be retooled to confront the complexity and volatility of the global age? Policy experts, researchers, and practitioners will convene at this half-day symposium to examine the retreat and renewal of global democracy.

Africa is home to several of the world’s fastest growing economies. Yet the continent’s continued development faces many challenges including a burgeoning underemployed youth population, climate induced migration, and political instability. Modernization of agriculture and food systems can promote political and economic stability helping Africa to realize its vast potential. How can collaborative action ensure sustainable food systems the world over? Join Council experts for a special discussion on the latest report “Stability in the 21st Century: Global Food Security for Peace and Prosperity” following the March 30 release in Washington, DC.

The US economy seems exuberant—market indices are reaching new heights, labor markets remain strong, and the Federal Reserve might raise interest rates soon. Abroad, economic bright spots are appearing in Japan, Europe, and elsewhere. Yet global uncertainty remains high—especially given the possible economic implications of the broad policy shifts signaled by the new US administration. According to IMF director Christine Lagarde, a global ‘race to the bottom’ in taxes, trade, or financial regulation would be a ‘black swan’ with devastating economic consequences. What does the future hold for the US and the global economy in the era of Donald Trump?

Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, some observers opined that Russia would have the opportunity to be freed from the grip of authoritarianism that prevailed under communist rule. Yet recent years have seen media censorship on the rise and increased repression of dissident groups. These developments have dampened that initial enthusiasm as Russia seems to slip further into authoritarian rule. How do the Russian media and the government’s censorship of reporters shape the fate of the country? Will the styles of populism and nationalism embraced by Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump improve relations between Russia and the United States or set the countries on a course for confrontation?

In the lead up to the 2017 Global Food Security Symposium, the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting and the Chicago Council on Global Affairs is collaborating to produce Food Security, a podcast examining nutrition, hunger, and food security around the world. This is the second of three episodes showcasing work from journalists whose projects tie into the big picture of global agriculture and food security. In this episode, host Roger Thurow interviews Jenni Duggan, whose project “Syrian Seeds Sow Hope for Global Food Security” where she tells the story of a research center in Lebanon, whose collection of seeds were rushed out of Syria during hostilities and are of vital importance for global food security in a changing climate. If you like the show, mark your calendar for the March 29-30 live streams of the 2017 Global Food Security Symposium.

With a history spanning millennia, China can play the long game. And it has been, according to Howard French. By championing globalization and Eurasian integration, rapidly expanding its military capabilities, and making contentious regional territorial claims, among others, China is asserting its previously-obscured ambitions. As America reassesses the terms of its global engagement, how will Beijing pursue its historical objectives? How does the past inform China’s current actions and future plans, and how should President Trump interact with Beijing?

Each year a day is designated to focus on the importance of water. Yet each day, more than half a billion people lack access to safe water sources – and in many countries it is leading to domestic instability. Rivers flowing across borders and declining water reserves have the potential to be a flashpoint for future conflict, making water security a matter of national security. On World Water Day 2017, fellows from the Council on Global Affairs will discuss the growing importance of water and stability throughout the world. What are governments in the east and the west doing now to secure their supply for the future? Can cooperation over water actually become a source of greater peace and stability?

As the Trump administration begins to take shape, what is next for the US and the Middle East? From the most recent travel ban focused squarely on the Middle East, uncertainty over Iran and the nuclear deal, and developments in relations with Israel and Palestine, US policy is clearly changing. Almost no country in the region is without its challenges for Washington, especially as civil wars unfold in Syria, Iraq, Libya, and Yemen. What role will the US have in the conflicts in the Middle East?