On the Horizon

The immediate reaction by governments everywhere is to strengthen barriers at the border. This has not stopped the pandemic. At the same time, the pandemic highlights the relative weakness of global institutions of governance coordination. The major international institutions—the United Nations, World Health Organization, International Monetary Fund, International Civil Aviation Organization, and so on—have little to offer to mitigate the scourge.

 

Within the United States, we are seeing both the strains and the benefits of the federalist architecture of our government. Health care is a local responsibility but requires a competent and responsive national support structure. Like every natural emergency, we stumble at first, sometimes badly. But we learn. Fortunately, we have an exceptionally robust private sector—both profit-seeking and nonprofit—that has stepped into the void of weak government response.

 

This pandemic potentially changes everything. But where will it take us? How will the landscape of economic and social life change in months and years ahead?

 

To address these questions, CSIS has launched a new commentary series called “On the Horizon.” Our scholars offer their insights into the more fundamental changes we might anticipate for our future social and economic world.

 

We welcome your feedback and your ideas. None of us has perfect vision for the future. But it is far better to anticipate significant change so that we can position our policy framework to manage it.

 

On the Horizon.

— John J. Hamre President and CEO, Langone Chair in American Leadership Center for Strategic and International Studies

All On the Horizon Content

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Book Event: America’s Great-Power Opportunity

In his new book, Ali Wyne draws on three years of intense research and dozens of interviews that he conducted in 2020—including with many individuals who now serve in the Biden administration—to examine “great-power competition” as a framework for orienting U.S. foreign policy.

Event — July 5, 2022

On the Horizon: Prioritizing Nutrition within the Covid-19 Context

Building on its record of leadership and recent actions to support global nutrition, the United States can help revitalize progress toward global goals by ensuring that nutrition projects are fully integrated into U.S. development and health support for Covid-19 response.

Commentary by Katherine E. Bliss — September 25, 2020

U.S.-India Economic Ties: Opportunity through Crisis

The Covid-19 crisis comes at a time of worsening U.S.-India economic relations. But recovery from the pandemic offers new opportunities for positive cooperation and more resilient linkages.

Commentary by Richard M. Rossow — May 13, 2020

Big Company, Big Government, Big Brother? Privacy after Covid-19

Governments are collecting increasing amounts of data on individuals in order to track and combat the spread of Covid-19. But will these measures stay in place once the pandemic passes, and, if so, what new rules will govern privacy?

Commentary by James Andrew Lewis — April 17, 2020

China’s Digital Silk Road after the Coronavirus

China’s technology ambitions appeared imperiled by Covid-19, but the pandemic is already providing new opportunities for China’s rise as a technology power and global provider of digital infrastructure.

Commentary by Jude Blanchette and Jonathan E. Hillman — April 13, 2020

Covid-19 at Sea: Impacts on the Blue Economy, Ocean Health, and Ocean Security

Ships move 90 percent of cargo. Fisheries employ 50 million people and feed over 1 billion. CSIS experts on ocean security and human rights explore how Covid-19 will shape the way the ocean connects and feeds the world—and affect the lives of the people who depend on it.

Commentary by Whitley Saumweber, Amy K. Lehr, Ty Loft, and Sabrina Kim — April 10, 2020

An Eroding European Union

The Covid-19 crisis will change the Europe we have known for the past 70 years. What is on the short- and long-term horizon once the dust has settled?

Commentary by Heather A. Conley — April 6, 2020