Human Rights

As the United States pulls away from global multilateral institutions like the United Nations, CSIS scholars undertake research and analysis on the critical role that human rights and democratic values play in a comprehensive and sustainable foreign policy.

Photo: FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty Images

Photo: FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty Images

When Faith and Geopolitics Collide

The Dalai Lama is widely revered as an advocate for human rights and nonviolence, but Beijing considers him an existential threat. When the 90-year-old monk passes, a succession crisis will ignite geopolitical flashpoints that world leaders are not yet prepared to manage.

Report by Henrietta Levin and Alison Bartel — January 9, 2026

See all analysis on Human Rights

Latest Podcasts

See all podcasts on Human Rights

Past Events

See all events on Human Rights

Related Programs

Experts

Benjamin Jensen

Benjamin Jensen

Director, Futures Lab and Senior Fellow, Defense and Security Department
Will Todman

Will Todman

Chief of Staff, Geopolitics and Foreign Policy Department; and Senior Fellow, Middle East Program

All Human Rights Content

Filter by

11 - 20 of 1066 results

What Is the U.S. Posture Toward the United Nations?

President Trump delivered withering criticism of the United Nations at UNGA this week, but the future of U.S. contributions to the United Nations remains unclear. What will the future hold for U.S. support to the United Nations?

Critical Questions by Allison Lombardo — September 25, 2025

Local Tools for Global Competition: An Ambassadors Fund for Governance

Without good governance, foreign investment is unsustainable. Commercial diplomacy must pair with efforts to improve governance, fight corruption, and uphold the rule of law. We propose an Ambassadors Fund for Good Governance to support local, context-driven initiatives.

Commentary by Andrew Friedman and Derek Mitchell — September 8, 2025

Why U.S. Junior Professionals in the UN Still Matter

Individual Americans’ contributions can be an easy way to retain some U.S. inroads to a UN that will soldier on even without the United States as an active participant.

Commentary by Allison Lombardo and Ella Lipin — August 20, 2025

Bullying Triggers Protests and Crackdown in China

A school bullying case sparked large, rare protests in a small Chinese city, leading to a swift police crackdown. This blog unpacks the protests and China's continued preference for suppressing dissent rather than addressing grievances.

Blog Post by Han Chen and Leon Li — August 14, 2025

Commercial Diplomacy Needs Good Governance

Can commercial diplomacy work without corresponding good governance efforts? Corruption, labor rights violations, and general poor governance impede business operations. Who will help improve governance in countries where U.S. companies make deals?

Commentary by Andrew Friedman — August 7, 2025