November 4, 2026

Ethics can seem abstract until we face decisions with real consequences. How should countries manage geopolitical competition? What do international institutions owe the people they serve? Which principles should guide decisions about war and peace? Last month, the second cohort of Carnegie Ethics Fellows explored such questions at the Carnegie Ethics Fellows Symposium 2026, moderating panels on water ethics, AI in healthcare, economic and national security, and AI in humanitarian response.

At Carnegie Council, we examine the values and principles that shape these choices, connecting ethical inquiry to the challenges confronting leaders, institutions, and individuals today. In this edition, we revisit our Global Ethics Day discussion on re-centering ethics in a fragmented world, explore the future of multilateralism in a recent episode of Values & Interests, and consider the ethical implications of military intervention in Iran in a new essay for Ethics & International Affairs.

Carnegie Ethics Fellows Symposium 2026

Moderated by the Fellows, these four expert panel discussions were the culmination of two years of meetings with professionals across the international affairs field, focused on ethical decision-making and values-driven responsible leadership.

Re-centering Ethics: Finding a Path Forward in a Fragmented World

How does ethics shape the way we respond to the defining challenges of our time? For our Global Ethics Day 2026 flagship event, experts from across sectors examined what it means to re-center ethics in a fragmented and rapidly changing world. The discussion, virtually attended by individuals from 69 countries, spanned finance and governance, climate change, and the impact of emerging technologies.

Multilateralism By and For the People

What makes international cooperation legitimate and responsive to the people it serves? In this episode of Values & Interests, Kevin Maloney speaks with Heela Rasool-Ayub about the future of multilateralism, public trust, and the values that inform international cooperation.

The Ethics of Intervention in Iran

When governments use military force, what ethical responsibilities accompany the decision to go to war? In a new essay for Ethics & International Affairs, James Pattison examines the intervention in Iran and the ethical implications of the “autocratic way of war,” including questions of accountability, humanitarian responsibility, and respect for international norms.

From the Carnegie Council Community

Beyond the Wood Chipper: The Future of U.S. Diplomacy and Development

Drawing on their experiences inside the U.S. government, former USAID official Nicholas Enrich and former Foreign Service officer Maryum Saifee consider the future of American diplomacy and development and the role of public service in national security.