Framing ethical perspectives
As countries grapple with global issues, such as climate change and the impact of emerging technology, the way that nations interact has never been more consequential. Our experts, programming, and impact initiatives work to analyze the foreign policy of the United States and other nations with an aim to explore shared values and produce agenda-setting resources.
Foreign Policy Resources
International affairs, global governance, and more
DEC 15, 2025 • Video
The Ethics of Decision-Making in National Security
APR 9, 2026 • Article
Realism vs. Pragmatism: Understanding America’s New Rhetorical Landscape
Amid Trump's fiery rhetoric and debates over "realism," Professor Jason Ralph writes that "pragmatism" may offer a better alternative for the American public.
AUG 14, 2025 • Podcast
Values, Realism, and U.S. Foreign Policy, with Alexander Vindman
Alexander Vindman joins "Values & Interests" to discuss the critical interplay between morality and power in the practice of geopolitics.
Related Initiatives
Ethics & International Affairs Journal
Ethics & International Affairs is the quarterly journal of Carnegie Council. It aims to close the gap between the theory and practice of ethics.
Model International Mobility Convention
The primary goal of the Model International Mobility Convention (MIMC) is to formulate new rules for migration and asylum that can benefit both migrants and refugees as well as their states of origin, transit, and destination.
Explore Our Foreign Policy Resources
DEC 5, 2011 • Podcast
Ethics Matter: Economist and Development Expert Jeffrey Sachs
Jeffrey Sachs discusses America's economic and moral crisis; development aid; the Occupy Wall Street movement; and the mobilization of youth around the world, fighting for ...
NOV 29, 2011 • Podcast
The Shadow World: Inside the Global Arms Trade
In 2010, global military expenditure was roughly $1.6 trillion--that's $235 for every person on earth. This has profound impacts, from the perpetuation of conflict, to the corrosion of ...
NOV 28, 2011 • Podcast
Ian Hurd on International Law and Security
"I would disagree with those who suggest international law doesn't really matter. If we look at what states do, they work very hard to marshal ...
NOV 22, 2011 • Podcast
George F. Kennan: An American Life
George Kennan was one of the great men of the 20th century, says John Lewis Gaddis. And he was great in multiple dimensions: as the ...
NOV 16, 2011 • Article
Putin and his Russia Don't Deserve the Bad Rap
Let's look at some of the most serious accusations leveled at Putin and his Russia. In the right light, we see Russia and Putin have ...
NOV 15, 2011 • Podcast
Towards a More Robust Public Policy Environment in the Middle East
Dr. Alterman describes the principal challenges for the Arab Middle East states as "developing human capital and strengthening public policy environments." In aspiring to these, ...
NOV 4, 2011 • Podcast
Global Ethics Corner: How Should the U.S. Handle Islamic Terrorists?
The fact that Guantanamo remains open, although the number of prisoners has been greatly reduced, shows how difficult it is to handle Islamic militants. Meanwhile, ...
OCT 28, 2011 • Podcast
Global Ethics Corner: Child Soldiers and Counter-Terrorism: Should the U.S. Aid Countries that Recruit Child Soldiers?
Child soldiers and foreign aid raise an important ethical dilemma: Should allies that use child soldiers receive U.S. military aid, even if it compromises ...
OCT 21, 2011 • Podcast
Global Ethics Corner: Iran and the United States: Is Military Conflict Inevitable?
Recent allegations of an Iranian assassination plot in the United States have once again raised doubts about the effectiveness of sanctions. As confidence in a ...
OCT 18, 2011 • Podcast
America the Vulnerable: Inside the New Threat Matrix of Digital Espionage, Crime, and Warfare
From the personal to the corporate to the national, our data is constantly at risk, says Joel Brenner. But it's like gravity; there's not much ...