U.S. Global Engagement Initiative

Reshaping discussions on U.S. foreign policy by highlighting ethical considerations

For the last five years, the post-Cold War bipartisan consensus in U.S. foreign policy—that the sustained deployment of U.S. power around the world is indispensable for maintaining the international system—has been called into question. There are now a series of competing narratives providing very different rationales for the degree and scope of U.S. engagement being advanced by different groups on the U.S. domestic political spectrum—each resting on a different understanding of what constitutes ethics in international affairs.

The U.S. Global Engagement Initiative seeks to:

Reshape

Reshape wider discussions on U.S. foreign policy to seriously address the causes and consequences of U.S. disengagement and re-engagement.

Move

Move ethical considerations to the center of policymakers' thinking about international relations, including the emergence of new ethical perspectives based on environmentalism, a focus on greater inclusivity, and the emergence of new technologies.

Probe

Probe the ethical considerations in a world increasingly defined by geopolitical and ideological competition among major powers.

Inform

Inform democratic citizens' understanding of international affairs, global engagement, and U.S. foreign policymaking.

Featured USGE Podcasts, Events, & Articles

FEB 28, 2023 Article

U.S. Leaders Need to Make the "Doorstep" Case for Supporting Ukraine

The Biden administration continues to make its appeal for support for Ukraine's war effort, with Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen discussing the economic reasons in a "New York Times" op-ed. Senior Fellow Nikolas Gvosdev wonders if this "doorstep" argument will be convincing for Americans.

SEP 9, 2022 Podcast

Freezing Order: Surviving Vladimir Putin's Wrath, with Bill Browder

What will it take to stop Russia’s President Vladimir Putin? Few have seen his wrath as closely as American-born British financier Bill Browder, who was the largest foreign investor in Russia until investigations led by his lawyer Sergei Magnitsky exposed massive corruption and misconduct by Russian officials leading all ...

The Doorstep

A program of Carnegie Council's U.S. Global Engagement Initiative, The Doorstep is an event series and podcast showcasing how global news impacts your daily life. Hosted by award-winning professor of journalism Tatiana Serafin and international relations scholar Nikolas Gvosdev, The Doorstep seeks to broaden listener perspectives on global affairs.

SEP 14, 2022 Podcast

The Doorstep: The Global Water Crisis, with Susanne Schmeier

In two years, two-thirds of the world's population may face water shortages that will lead to crises of epic proportions from water refugees to potential ...

SEP 9, 2022 Podcast

Freezing Order: Surviving Vladimir Putin's Wrath, with Bill Browder

What will it take to stop Russia’s President Vladimir Putin? Few have seen his wrath as closely as American-born British financier Bill Browder, who ...

AUG 11, 2022 Podcast

The Doorstep: Changing Dynamics in West Asia, with Mohammed Soliman

How could the world change if the dynamism of India's rise is connected to the wealth and resources of the Gulf states and the technological ...

JUL 28, 2022 Podcast

The Doorstep: What is the Real Threat of Nuclear War? with Dr. Gary Samore

Brandeis University's Professor Gary Samore, joins Doorstep co-hosts Nick Gvosdev and Tatiana Serafin to discuss how nuclear deterrence fosters restraint and caution, and the hope ...

JUL 13, 2022 Podcast

The Doorstep: Biden's Middle East Reset with NYU's Dr. Carolyn Kissane

Doorstep podcast co-hosts Tatiana Serafin and Nick Gvosdev are joined by NYU's Dr. Carolyn Kissane to discuss Biden's "Middle East reset" and trip to Saudi ...

Leadership

Nikolas K. Gvosdev

Carnegie Council Senior Fellow, U.S. Global Engagement Initiative (USGE); U.S. Naval War College

Tatiana Serafin

Carnegie Council Senior Fellow, U.S. Global Engagement Initiative (USGE); Marymount Manhattan College