Policy Week Ahead — Nov 2 – 8, 2026

117 events

117 think tank events from 54 organizations across 28 policy topics the week of Nov 2 – 8, 2026. Busiest topics: United States (72), Diplomacy (34), Global (34). Most active organizers: Harvard Kennedy School (11), Center on Global Energy Policy (7), Foundation for Defense of Democracies (5). Multi-day: International Conference "Where is Russia Heading? 20 Years of Russian Analytical Digest" (3–4 Nov 2026, in-person), Reconciling Credibility and Radicalism in an Age of Populism — Rachel Reeves (Mon, Nov 2, 6:00pm ET) — JFK Jr. Forum, Unreliable Boyfriend: Chrystia Freeland — Monday, Nov 2, 2026 (In-person book talk). New since last week: 20 events. Times are US Eastern; each listing links to the event's own page.

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Diplomacy
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Elections
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Conflict
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Diplomacy
34 events
A Doctrine for Government — Keynote by Danny Kruger MP
Mon, Nov 2 · 7:30 AM EST·Policy ExchangeHybrid
What Is Syria Transitioning To? — Session 5
Mon, Nov 2 · 4:30 PM EST·Harvard Kennedy SchoolIn person
Looking at the Edge: Understanding the Frontiers of Geopolitical Risk
Mon, Nov 2 · 6:00 PM EST·GCSPIn person
International Conference "Where is Russia Heading? 20 Years of Russian Analytical Digest"
Mon, Nov 2 · 6:00 PM EST·Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH ZurichIn person
Unreliable Boyfriend: Chrystia Freeland — Monday, Nov 2, 2026 (In-person book talk)
Mon, Nov 2 · 7:00 PM EST·Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies (Stanford University)In person
29 more in Diplomacy
Elections
29 events
A Doctrine for Government — Keynote by Danny Kruger MP
Mon, Nov 2 · 7:30 AM EST·Policy ExchangeHybrid
Reconciling Credibility and Radicalism in an Age of Populism — Rachel Reeves (Mon, Nov 2, 6:00pm ET) — JFK Jr. Forum
Mon, Nov 2 · 6:00 PM EST·Harvard Kennedy SchoolIn person
United States midterm elections
Tue, Nov 3 · time not announced·Real Instituto ElcanoIn person
Can Europe still count on Berlin? Navigating a changing Germany — 3 Nov 2026, 10:00–11:00 Berlin time
Tue, Nov 3 · 4:00 AM EST·European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR)Virtual
Mid-Term Election — 3 Nov 2026 (in-person panel)
Tue, Nov 3 · 3:00 PM EST·European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR)In person
24 more in Elections
Conflict
19 events
FDD Morning Brief — Jonathan Schanzer featuring Amr Al-Bidh
Mon, Nov 2 · 8:30 AM EST·Foundation for Defense of DemocraciesVirtual
What Is Syria Transitioning To? — Session 5
Mon, Nov 2 · 4:30 PM EST·Harvard Kennedy SchoolIn person
Looking at the Edge: Understanding the Frontiers of Geopolitical Risk
Mon, Nov 2 · 6:00 PM EST·GCSPIn person
International Conference "Where is Russia Heading? 20 Years of Russian Analytical Digest"
Mon, Nov 2 · 6:00 PM EST·Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH ZurichIn person
We Shall Outlast Them: Hanna Notte — Tuesday, Nov 3, 2026 (In-person book talk)
Tue, Nov 3 · 6:30 PM EST·Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies (Stanford University)In person
14 more in Conflict
Climate Change
16 events
Economics for Sustainable Societies with Partha Dasgupta — Nov 2, 2026, 3:00pm–5:00pm (local)
Mon, Nov 2 · 6:00 PM EST·Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies (Stanford University)In person
Looking at the Edge: Understanding the Frontiers of Geopolitical Risk
Mon, Nov 2 · 6:00 PM EST·GCSPIn person
Closing plenary 'Making Peace the Rational Choice'
Wed, Nov 4 · 10:15 AM EST·SIPRIHybrid
Trade, Biodiversity and the Ocean Economy: Pathways to Resilience — keynote by DG Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
Wed, Nov 4 · 7:00 PM EST·World Trade Organization (WTO)In person
People over power: Human security in the Pacific (Panel) — 5 Nov 2026, 12:30–13:30 AEDT
Wed, Nov 4 · 8:30 PM EST·Lowy InstituteIn person
11 more in Climate Change
National Security
15 events
A Doctrine for Government — Keynote by Danny Kruger MP
Mon, Nov 2 · 7:30 AM EST·Policy ExchangeHybrid
FDD Morning Brief — Jonathan Schanzer featuring Amr Al-Bidh
Mon, Nov 2 · 8:30 AM EST·Foundation for Defense of DemocraciesVirtual
Looking at the Edge: Understanding the Frontiers of Geopolitical Risk
Mon, Nov 2 · 6:00 PM EST·GCSPIn person
International Conference "Where is Russia Heading? 20 Years of Russian Analytical Digest"
Mon, Nov 2 · 6:00 PM EST·Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH ZurichIn person
UK Border Security: The Power of Data, Intelligence & Automation Across Government — 3 November 2026 (In person, London)
Tue, Nov 3 · 4:30 AM EST·RUSIIn person
10 more in National Security
Human Rights
14 events
What Is Syria Transitioning To? — Session 5
Mon, Nov 2 · 4:30 PM EST·Harvard Kennedy SchoolIn person
Women and inclusive trade in a changing global economy
Wed, Nov 4 · time not announced·ODI GlobalVirtual
Gerontological Society of America 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting
Wed, Nov 4 · 12:00 AM EST·NORC at the University of ChicagoIn person
Reading Group on Prostitution and Pornography — Session (Nov 4, 2026) — On Campus
Wed, Nov 4 · 12:00 AM EST·Harvard Kennedy School Women and Public Policy ProgramIn person
Do Trust and Transparency Still Matter? — Launch of the 2026 Aid Transparency Index
Wed, Nov 4 · 10:00 AM EST·Center for Global DevelopmentHybrid
9 more in Human Rights
Trade Policy
14 events
Unreliable Boyfriend: Chrystia Freeland — Monday, Nov 2, 2026 (In-person book talk)
Mon, Nov 2 · 7:00 PM EST·Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies (Stanford University)In person
03 Nov 2026 — Can Europe stay in the driving seat? The automotive industry at a crossroads
Tue, Nov 3 · time not announced·BruegelHybrid
Trade Policy Review: Viet Nam — Review session
Wed, Nov 4 · time not announced·World Trade Organization (WTO)Virtual
Women and inclusive trade in a changing global economy
Wed, Nov 4 · time not announced·ODI GlobalVirtual
The war in Ukraine, sanctions, and the Russian war economy — Trade Winds with Cecilia Malmström
Wed, Nov 4 · 9:00 AM EST·Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE)Virtual
9 more in Trade Policy
Finance
13 events
Reconciling Credibility and Radicalism in an Age of Populism — Rachel Reeves (Mon, Nov 2, 6:00pm ET) — JFK Jr. Forum
Mon, Nov 2 · 6:00 PM EST·Harvard Kennedy SchoolIn person
UNU-WIDER presentation at ATAF Annual Meeting — 4 November 2026 (Cairo, Egypt)
Tue, Nov 3 · 5:00 PM EST·UNU-WIDERIn person
The war in Ukraine, sanctions, and the Russian war economy — Trade Winds with Cecilia Malmström
Wed, Nov 4 · 9:00 AM EST·Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE)Virtual
Do Trust and Transparency Still Matter? — Launch of the 2026 Aid Transparency Index
Wed, Nov 4 · 10:00 AM EST·Center for Global DevelopmentHybrid
Small Loans, Big Barriers — Virtual launch and discussion
Wed, Nov 4 · 12:00 PM EST·New AmericaVirtual
8 more in Finance
Energy
11 events
NSF Energy Storage Engine in Upstate NY — Information Session
Mon, Nov 2 · 2:00 PM EST·Center on Global Energy PolicyVirtual
The Yale Clean Energy Conference — November 5–6, 2026 (New Haven, CT)
Thu, Nov 5 · 12:00 AM EST·Center on Global Energy PolicyIn person
Jornada “Sendas geopolíticas de la transición energética: Objetivos climáticos”
Thu, Nov 5 · 6:00 AM EST·Real Instituto ElcanoVirtual
Women in Sustainability & Energy (WISE) Networking Lunch — November 5, 12:00–14:00 (Building Energy Exchange, New York, NY)
Thu, Nov 5 · 12:00 PM EST·Center on Global Energy PolicyIn person
Office Hours — Marcia Burkey (Bookable) — November 6 (book via form)
Fri, Nov 6 · 12:00 AM EST·Center on Global Energy PolicyVirtual
6 more in Energy
Artificial Intelligence
7 events
Assembling in the Age of AI
Mon, Nov 2 · 3:00 PM EST·New AmericaVirtual
Looking at the Edge: Understanding the Frontiers of Geopolitical Risk
Mon, Nov 2 · 6:00 PM EST·GCSPIn person
Superintelligence or Super Stupidity? — Nov 3, 2026, 11:40am–1:00pm (interpreted local)
Tue, Nov 3 · 2:40 PM EST·Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies (Stanford University)In person
Policy Priorities to Improve Living Standards in Canada
Thu, Nov 5 · 12:00 AM EST·Centre for International Governance InnovationHybrid
PEACE TALKS #2: Autonomous Weapons, AI, and the Future of Human Control — 5 Nov 2026, 16:30-18:00 (UN City)
Thu, Nov 5 · 10:30 AM EST·Danish Institute for International StudiesIn person
2 more in Artificial Intelligence
Defense Technology
6 events
Beneath the Fab: Securing the Semiconductor Materials Layer
Mon, Nov 2 · 9:00 AM EST·American Enterprise InstituteIn person
Schriever Spacepower Series: Gen. Douglas A. Schiess — Nov 4, 2026 (time not specified)
Wed, Nov 4 · time not announced·Mitchell Institute for Aerospace StudiesHybrid
The Modernization of South American Militaries: Opportunities, Challenges, and Future Directions — November 4, 2026 (time TBA)
Wed, Nov 4 · time not announced·CSIS Americas ProgramVirtual
Weapons in Orbit: Reducing Risk in a New Era of Space Competition — Public panel
Wed, Nov 4 · time not announced·Nuclear Threat InitiativeVirtual
Trends in Global Arms Trade Transparency
Wed, Nov 4 · 9:30 AM EST·Stimson CenterVirtual
1 more in Defense Technology
Supply Chain Security
6 events
Beneath the Fab: Securing the Semiconductor Materials Layer
Mon, Nov 2 · 9:00 AM EST·American Enterprise InstituteIn person
03 Nov 2026 — Can Europe stay in the driving seat? The automotive industry at a crossroads
Tue, Nov 3 · time not announced·BruegelHybrid
UK Border Security: The Power of Data, Intelligence & Automation Across Government — 3 November 2026 (In person, London)
Tue, Nov 3 · 4:30 AM EST·RUSIIn person
24-Hour Global Organized Crime Conference
Wed, Nov 4 · 4:00 AM EST·Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized CrimeVirtual
Mediterranean Maritime Security Conference — Panel I
Fri, Nov 6 · 10:00 AM EST·Middle East InstituteIn person
1 more in Supply Chain Security
Disinformation
4 events
Next Generation (TNG): 'Who’s Afraid of the ONS?' with Michael Simmons — Tuesday 3 Nov 2026 (doors 18:00)
Tue, Nov 3 · 1:00 PM EST·Adam Smith InstituteIn person
New forms of cyber-bordering: When social media becomes the border — 4 Nov 2026, 16:00-17:30 (Aalborg University Copenhagen)
Wed, Nov 4 · 10:00 AM EST·Danish Institute for International StudiesIn person
Study Group: Politics in an Age of Discontent — Civil Discourse and the Future of Democracy
Wed, Nov 4 · 4:30 PM EST·Harvard Kennedy SchoolIn person
US midterm elections in focus: how they work and why they matter to Australia
Thu, Nov 5 · time not announced·United States Studies CentreVirtual
Commodities
3 events
Beyond extraction: playbooks for resource-rich countries navigating the new minerals politics
Fri, Nov 6 · time not announced·ODI GlobalVirtual
Transition materials for sustainable development — What role for international institutions? — 8 November 2026 (Antalya, Türkiye)
Sat, Nov 7 · 4:00 PM EST·UNU-WIDERIn person
Economic Security Forum 2026: Trade-offs, transitions and chokepoints — 9 Nov 2026 (invitation-only, Sydney)
Sun, Nov 8 · 8:00 AM EST·United States Studies CentreHybrid
Space Policy
3 events
Looking at the Edge: Understanding the Frontiers of Geopolitical Risk
Mon, Nov 2 · 6:00 PM EST·GCSPIn person
Schriever Spacepower Series: Gen. Douglas A. Schiess — Nov 4, 2026 (time not specified)
Wed, Nov 4 · time not announced·Mitchell Institute for Aerospace StudiesHybrid
Weapons in Orbit: Reducing Risk in a New Era of Space Competition — Public panel
Wed, Nov 4 · time not announced·Nuclear Threat InitiativeVirtual
Cybersecurity
2 events
Looking at the Edge: Understanding the Frontiers of Geopolitical Risk
Mon, Nov 2 · 6:00 PM EST·GCSPIn person
UK Border Security: The Power of Data, Intelligence & Automation Across Government — 3 November 2026 (In person, London)
Tue, Nov 3 · 4:30 AM EST·RUSIIn person
Aerospace
2 events
NSF Energy Storage Engine in Upstate NY — Information Session
Mon, Nov 2 · 2:00 PM EST·Center on Global Energy PolicyVirtual
Schriever Spacepower Series: Gen. Douglas A. Schiess — Nov 4, 2026 (time not specified)
Wed, Nov 4 · time not announced·Mitchell Institute for Aerospace StudiesHybrid
Telecommunications
1 event
New forms of cyber-bordering: When social media becomes the border — 4 Nov 2026, 16:00-17:30 (Aalborg University Copenhagen)
Wed, Nov 4 · 10:00 AM EST·Danish Institute for International StudiesIn person
United States
72 events
FDD Morning Brief — Jonathan Schanzer featuring Amr Al-Bidh
Mon, Nov 2 · 8:30 AM EST·Foundation for Defense of DemocraciesVirtual
Beneath the Fab: Securing the Semiconductor Materials Layer
Mon, Nov 2 · 9:00 AM EST·American Enterprise InstituteIn person
NSF Energy Storage Engine in Upstate NY — Information Session
Mon, Nov 2 · 2:00 PM EST·Center on Global Energy PolicyVirtual
Assembling in the Age of AI
Mon, Nov 2 · 3:00 PM EST·New AmericaVirtual
Economics for Sustainable Societies with Partha Dasgupta — Nov 2, 2026, 3:00pm–5:00pm (local)
Mon, Nov 2 · 6:00 PM EST·Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies (Stanford University)In person
67 more in United States
Global
34 events
Beneath the Fab: Securing the Semiconductor Materials Layer
Mon, Nov 2 · 9:00 AM EST·American Enterprise InstituteIn person
Looking at the Edge: Understanding the Frontiers of Geopolitical Risk
Mon, Nov 2 · 6:00 PM EST·GCSPIn person
Unreliable Boyfriend: Chrystia Freeland — Monday, Nov 2, 2026 (In-person book talk)
Mon, Nov 2 · 7:00 PM EST·Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies (Stanford University)In person
We Shall Outlast Them: Hanna Notte — Tuesday, Nov 3, 2026 (In-person book talk)
Tue, Nov 3 · 6:30 PM EST·Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies (Stanford University)In person
Trade Policy Review: Viet Nam — Review session
Wed, Nov 4 · time not announced·World Trade Organization (WTO)Virtual
29 more in Global
Europe
30 events
A Doctrine for Government — Keynote by Danny Kruger MP
Mon, Nov 2 · 7:30 AM EST·Policy ExchangeHybrid
Looking at the Edge: Understanding the Frontiers of Geopolitical Risk
Mon, Nov 2 · 6:00 PM EST·GCSPIn person
International Conference "Where is Russia Heading? 20 Years of Russian Analytical Digest"
Mon, Nov 2 · 6:00 PM EST·Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH ZurichIn person
Reconciling Credibility and Radicalism in an Age of Populism — Rachel Reeves (Mon, Nov 2, 6:00pm ET) — JFK Jr. Forum
Mon, Nov 2 · 6:00 PM EST·Harvard Kennedy SchoolIn person
03 Nov 2026 — Can Europe stay in the driving seat? The automotive industry at a crossroads
Tue, Nov 3 · time not announced·BruegelHybrid
25 more in Europe
Middle East
11 events
FDD Morning Brief — Jonathan Schanzer featuring Amr Al-Bidh
Mon, Nov 2 · 8:30 AM EST·Foundation for Defense of DemocraciesVirtual
What Is Syria Transitioning To? — Session 5
Mon, Nov 2 · 4:30 PM EST·Harvard Kennedy SchoolIn person
Israel’s Lobby: America in the Grip of a Foreign Power
Tue, Nov 3 · 5:00 PM EST·Quincy Institute for Responsible StatecraftIn person
Virtual Roundtable: Post-Election Analysis — Nov 4, 2026 12:00–13:00 (UTC assumed)
Wed, Nov 4 · 7:00 AM EST·Chicago Council on Global AffairsVirtual
The United States and Israel: Past, Present, and Future — Session 3
Wed, Nov 4 · 4:30 PM EST·Harvard Kennedy SchoolIn person
6 more in Middle East
Asia-Pacific
7 events
Trade Policy Review: Viet Nam — Review session
Wed, Nov 4 · time not announced·World Trade Organization (WTO)Virtual
People over power: Human security in the Pacific (Panel) — 5 Nov 2026, 12:30–13:30 AEDT
Wed, Nov 4 · 8:30 PM EST·Lowy InstituteIn person
US Midterms washup: What Australia needs to know about the 120th Congress — Panel (5 Nov 2026, 18:00–20:00 AEDT; in-person & remote)
Thu, Nov 5 · 2:00 AM EST·United States Studies CentreHybrid
After the Midterms: Changes for US Allies in the Indo-Pacific and Europe
Thu, Nov 5 · 4:00 AM EST·Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI)Virtual
From Afghanistan to America: War, Refuge, and the Power of Welcome — Nov 5, 2026, 5:15pm (Nye ABC)
Thu, Nov 5 · 5:15 PM EST·Harvard Kennedy SchoolIn person
2 more in Asia-Pacific
Russia
4 events
International Conference "Where is Russia Heading? 20 Years of Russian Analytical Digest"
Mon, Nov 2 · 6:00 PM EST·Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH ZurichIn person
We Shall Outlast Them: Hanna Notte — Tuesday, Nov 3, 2026 (In-person book talk)
Tue, Nov 3 · 6:30 PM EST·Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies (Stanford University)In person
The war in Ukraine, sanctions, and the Russian war economy — Trade Winds with Cecilia Malmström
Wed, Nov 4 · 9:00 AM EST·Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE)Virtual
Trade Winds: The war in Ukraine, sanctions, and the Russian war economy
Wed, Nov 4 · 9:00 AM EST·Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE)Virtual
Africa
4 events
UNU-WIDER presentation at ATAF Annual Meeting — 4 November 2026 (Cairo, Egypt)
Tue, Nov 3 · 5:00 PM EST·UNU-WIDERIn person
The Rise and Fall of Tunisian Democracy: Populism, Polarization, and the Perils of Power-Sharing — Nov 4, 2026, 4:00 PM–5:15 PM Pacific
Wed, Nov 4 · 7:00 PM EST·Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies (Stanford University)In person
Mediterranean Maritime Security Conference — Panel I
Fri, Nov 6 · 10:00 AM EST·Middle East InstituteIn person
COP31 — Advancing Country Platforms: Southern Evidence and Insights
Mon, Nov 9 · time not announced·South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA)Hybrid
South America
3 events
XXX Ibero-American Summit (A Plus for Europe reference) — 4-5 Nov 2026 (Madrid)
Tue, Nov 3 · 6:00 PM EST·Real Instituto ElcanoIn person
The Modernization of South American Militaries: Opportunities, Challenges, and Future Directions — November 4, 2026 (time TBA)
Wed, Nov 4 · time not announced·CSIS Americas ProgramVirtual
After the 2026 Elections: What's Next for Brazil–U.S. Relations?
Thu, Nov 5 · 1:00 PM EST·Inter-American DialogueHybrid
China
1 event
Beneath the Fab: Securing the Semiconductor Materials Layer
Mon, Nov 2 · 9:00 AM EST·American Enterprise InstituteIn person
Outer Space
1 event
Weapons in Orbit: Reducing Risk in a New Era of Space Competition — Public panel
Wed, Nov 4 · time not announced·Nuclear Threat InitiativeVirtual
Opportunities closing this week
Summer 2027 Graduate Research and Internship Program in Germany (GRIP)
Closes Mon, Nov 2·Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies (Stanford University)Internship
2027 Nuclear Scholars cohort
Closes Mon, Nov 2·Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)Fellowship
Breakthrough Energy Fellows (2027 cohort)
Closes Mon, Nov 2·Center on Global Energy PolicyFellowship
Foreign Affairs Specialist (NNSA Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation)
Closes Thu, Nov 5·NNSA Office of Defense Nuclear NonproliferationJob
Training Instructor (Department of the Air Force, Air Force Global Strike Command)
Closes Thu, Nov 5·Department of the Air Force - Air Force Global Strike CommandJob
Training Instructor - Air Force Global Strike Command
Closes Thu, Nov 5·Department of the Air Force, Air Force Global Strike CommandJob
Postdoctoral Fellowships — Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory
Closes Fri, Nov 6·Center on Global Energy PolicyFellowship
Spring 2027 Internship (Trustee Chair, CSIS)
Closes Fri, Nov 6·Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) - Trustee Chair in Chinese Business & EconomicsInternship
Political and Security Analyst (Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe - SHAPE)
Closes Fri, Nov 6·Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE)Job
Pathfinder Essay Contest (2026)
Closes Sun, Nov 8·Center for a New American SecurityCompetition
Spring 2027 Young Global Professionals - Forward Defense program
Closes Sun, Nov 8·Atlantic Council - Scowcroft Center for Strategy and SecurityJob
Pathfinder: A National Security Essay Contest (2026)
Closes Sun, Nov 8·Center for a New American SecurityCompetition
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