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
FEB 3, 2005 • Podcast
Conflict and Order in the New Age of Preventive War
Nichols believes that the norm against preventive military action is rapidly being eroded and that we are headed into an era where preventive war will ...
NOV 2, 2004 • Article
New Rules for War?
"The old rules are fine. They give us all the normative guidance we need. But that said, these old rules and the principles they instantiate ...
OCT 19, 2004 • Transcript
American Power and Empire
John Judis uncovers troubling parallels between America's foreign policy in the beginning of the 21st century and its imperialist experiments in the 1890s.
SEP 23, 2004 • Transcript
American Power and Human Rights
The success of the war on terror will ultimately depend on optimal respect for fundamental rights at home and abroad, not on curtailing them in ...
JUN 16, 2004 • Podcast
1912: Wilson, Roosevelt, Taft and Debs: The Election That Changed the Country
James Chace looks back at the 1912 presidential elections and their effect on U.S. foreign policy.
MAY 27, 2004 • Podcast
Power, Terror, Peace, and War
"We are creating new and ever more dangerous problems for ourselves simply by doing what it is that we like to do," says Walter Russell ...
APR 28, 2004 • Transcript
Colossus: The Price of America's Empire
Ferguson argues that the United States would be better off embracing, rather than denying, its imperial destiny.
APR 13, 2004 • Podcast
Soft Power: The Means to Success in World Politics
Joseph Nye's concept of "soft power" has become part of the international relations lexicon. In this 2004 book talk, he argues that hard power alone cannot ...
MAR 25, 2004 • Podcast
The Choice: Global Domination or Global Leadership
To prevail in the war on terrorism and other looming geo-strategic crises, says Brzezinski, America needs serious allies, not just "coalitions of the willing."
MAR 10, 2004 • Transcript
Where is the Lone Ranger When We Need Him? America’s Search for a Post-Conflict Stability Force
Perito argues the need for creating a new U.S. force that is trained to assist with post-conflict operations in places like the Balkans, Afghanistan, ...