As 60 world leaders gathered in Chicago for a two-day NATO meeting beginning Sunday, May 20, they were greeted by thousands of protesters -- not to mention 2,500 journalists -- who swarmed the town as Barack Obama, Hamid Karzai, and the rest of the gang gathered to discuss Afghanistan and other global defense issues. Photos of Chicago police preparing for the worst, with many officers in riot gear and with reinforcements called in from outside the city, may hint at why NATO summits are usually held abroad. However, the protesters' weapon of choice seemed to be mostly absurdity, as many of those in attendance donned clown suits and body paint. Above, a particularly comic stand off between a couple demonstrators and a cordon of police officers.
As 60 world leaders gathered in Chicago for a two-day NATO meeting beginning Sunday, May 20, they were greeted by thousands of protesters -- not to mention 2,500 journalists -- who swarmed the town as Barack Obama, Hamid Karzai, and the rest of the gang gathered to discuss Afghanistan and other global defense issues. Photos of Chicago police preparing for the worst, with many officers in riot gear and with reinforcements called in from outside the city, may hint at why NATO summits are usually held abroad. However, the protesters' weapon of choice seemed to be mostly absurdity, as many of those in attendance donned clown suits and body paint. Above, a particularly comic stand off between a couple demonstrators and a cordon of police officers.
As 60 world leaders gathered in Chicago for a two-day NATO meeting beginning Sunday, May 20, they were greeted by thousands of protesters -- not to mention 2,500 journalists -- who swarmed the town as Barack Obama, Hamid Karzai, and the rest of the gang gathered to discuss Afghanistan and other global defense issues. Photos of Chicago police preparing for the worst, with many officers in riot gear and with reinforcements called in from outside the city, may hint at why NATO summits are usually held abroad. However, the protesters' weapon of choice seemed to be mostly absurdity, as many of those in attendance donned clown suits and body paint.
Above, a particularly comic stand off between a couple demonstrators and a cordon of police officers.
Demonstrators marche to the McCormick Center, where the NATO summit was held, to protest. A variety of causes were represented, as can be seen above. In this group, signs castigate FBI raids, corporate welfare, and "G8 warmakers" (a refrence to the weekend's G-8 summit at Camp David) while support is expressed for free speech, the right to organize, and "bongs not bombs."
Demonstrators marche to the McCormick Center, where the NATO summit was held, to protest. A variety of causes were represented, as can be seen above. In this group, signs castigate FBI raids, corporate welfare, and "G8 warmakers" (a refrence to the weekend's G-8 summit at Camp David) while support is expressed for free speech, the right to organize, and "bongs not bombs."
A masked protester speaks no evil.
A masked protester speaks no evil.
Anarchist demonstrators, dressed in all black, protested during the first day of the Chicago NATO summit. While there were some scuffles with police, the protests were mostly peaceful with "fewer than two dozen" arrests.
Anarchist demonstrators, dressed in all black, protested during the first day of the Chicago NATO summit. While there were some scuffles with police, the protests were mostly peaceful with "fewer than two dozen" arrests.
Women from the antiwar group CodePink yell during a protest at the summit's kickoff.
Women from the antiwar group CodePink yell during a protest at the summit's kickoff.
A group of veterans demonstrated with other protesters. Some threw their service medals into the street as a sign of protest.
A group of veterans demonstrated with other protesters. Some threw their service medals into the street as a sign of protest.
A man helped make signs supporting the release of accused WikiLeaks source Bradley Manning, curently awaiting trial on a number of charges, including aiding the enemy.
A man helped make signs supporting the release of accused WikiLeaks source Bradley Manning, curently awaiting trial on a number of charges, including aiding the enemy.
A man wears the now ubiquitous Guy Fawkes mask, now closely identified with the Anonymous hacking movement.
A man wears the now ubiquitous Guy Fawkes mask, now closely identified with the Anonymous hacking movement.
A demonstrator holds a sign expressing general displeasure with the U.S. government at the summit meating on May 20.
A demonstrator holds a sign expressing general displeasure with the U.S. government at the summit meating on May 20.
A masked protestor marches in downtown Chicago holding a sign referencing a popular Internet meme.
A masked protestor marches in downtown Chicago holding a sign referencing a popular Internet meme.
Robots for peace?
Robots for peace?
A protester mimicks police while wearing a boot on his head in front of the Chicago Art Museum.
A protester mimicks police while wearing a boot on his head in front of the Chicago Art Museum.
More from The World in Photos This WeekRock the VoteFace OffPreparing for a Very Cold War
Explore the benefits of your FP subscription.
Explore the benefits included in your subscription.
Stay updated on the topics you care about with email alerts. Sign up below.Stay updated on the topics you care about with email alerts. Sign up below.
Choose a few newsletters that interest you.Get more insight in your inbox.
Here are some we think you might like.
Update your newsletter preferences.
Your guide to the most important world stories of the day.
Essential analysis of the stories shaping geopolitics on the continent. Delivered Wednesday.
One-stop digest of politics, economics, and culture. Delivered Friday.
The latest news, analysis, and data from the country each week. Delivered Wednesday.
Weekly update on developments in India and its neighbors. Delivered Thursday.
Weekly update on what’s driving U.S. national security policy. Delivered Thursday.
A curated selection of our very best long reads. Delivered Wednesday & Sunday.
Evening roundup with our editors’ favorite stories of the day. Delivered Monday-Saturday.
A monthly digest of the top articles read by FP subscribers.
Keep up with the world without stopping yours.
Keep up with the world without stopping yours.
Download the FP mobile app to read anytime, anywhere.
Download the new FP mobile app to read anytime, anywhere.
Read the magazine
Save articles (and read offline)
Customize your feed
Listen to FP podcasts
Analyze the world’s biggest events.
Analyze the world’s biggest events.
Join in-depth conversations and interact with foreign-policy experts with Join in-depth conversations and interact with foreign-policy experts with
As 60 world leaders gathered in Chicago for a two-day NATO meeting beginning Sunday, May 20, they were greeted by thousands of protesters -- not to mention 2,500 journalists -- who swarmed the town as Barack Obama, Hamid Karzai, and the rest of the gang gathered to discuss Afghanistan and other global defense issues. Photos of Chicago police preparing for the worst, with many officers in riot gear and with reinforcements called in from outside the city, may hint at why NATO summits are usually held abroad. However, the protesters' weapon of choice seemed to be mostly absurdity, as many of those in attendance donned clown suits and body paint. Above, a particularly comic stand off between a couple demonstrators and a cordon of police officers.
Russia has gone from one mobilization to the next, burning through equipment and ammunition faster than it can replace it—even resorting to the recruitment of prisoners to fight its drawn-...Show moreout war in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Kyiv has received a major infusion of military aid from the West in the last three months. What are its chances of success in a forthcoming offensive?
Join FP’s Ravi Agrawal for a discussion with James Stavridis, a retired four-star U.S. Navy admiral and NATO supreme allied commander. Tune in for a wide-ranging discussion on Russia and Ukraine’s military options; the respective roles of Europe, the United States, and China; and more.
As 60 world leaders gathered in Chicago for a two-day NATO meeting beginning Sunday, May 20, they were greeted by thousands of protesters -- not to mention 2,500 journalists -- who swarmed the town as Barack Obama, Hamid Karzai, and the rest of the gang gathered to discuss Afghanistan and other global defense issues. Photos of Chicago police preparing for the worst, with many officers in riot gear and with reinforcements called in from outside the city, may hint at why NATO summits are usually held abroad. However, the protesters' weapon of choice seemed to be mostly absurdity, as many of those in attendance donned clown suits and body paint. Above, a particularly comic stand off between a couple demonstrators and a cordon of police officers.
Over the last few years, Washington has prioritized relocating manufacturing production back to the United States. Critics abroad argue that America’s new industrial policy is protectionis...Show moret and fosters unfair competition.
Economist Adam Posen goes a step further. He says the problem with U.S. policy isn’t just that it channels zero-sum thinking but that it is destined to backfire on a number of its goals, from job creation to innovation and decarbonization.
Posen argues that for U.S. industrial policy to be successful and resilient, it needs to be barrier free. How and why? Subscribers are encouraged to send in their questions. Posen will discuss his FP cover essay in a conversation with FP’s editor in chief, Ravi Agrawal.
As 60 world leaders gathered in Chicago for a two-day NATO meeting beginning Sunday, May 20, they were greeted by thousands of protesters -- not to mention 2,500 journalists -- who swarmed the town as Barack Obama, Hamid Karzai, and the rest of the gang gathered to discuss Afghanistan and other global defense issues. Photos of Chicago police preparing for the worst, with many officers in riot gear and with reinforcements called in from outside the city, may hint at why NATO summits are usually held abroad. However, the protesters' weapon of choice seemed to be mostly absurdity, as many of those in attendance donned clown suits and body paint. Above, a particularly comic stand off between a couple demonstrators and a cordon of police officers.
FP editor in chief, Ravi Agrawal sat down for a regular China discussion with three experts: Ryan Hass, a former China director at the National Security Council; Zongyuan Zoe Liu, a Council ...Show moreon Foreign Relations fellow and Foreign Policy columnist; and James Palmer, a deputy editor at Foreign Policy and writer of China Brief.
The discussion encompassed highlights from the recent meeting between the presidents of China and Russia, the recently concluded “two sessions” meetings in Beijing—an annual rubber-stamp convening—and the ongoing dramas over TikTok and a recent public sighting of Jack Ma, the founder of Alibaba. The bit our editors want to highlight in particular, however, involves rival diplomatic missions from Taiwan. Former President Ma Ying-jeou became the first sitting or former leader to visit mainland China since 1949, a trip Taipei’s ruling party has called “regrettable.” It comes right as President Tsai Ing-wen prepares to visit the United States and Central America this week.
See what’s trending.
See what’s trending.
Most popular articles on FP right now.
Most popular articles on FP right now.
