United States and Canada

The United States has enjoyed an unparalleled period of peace and prosperity since the end of the Second World War, due to its construction of a rules-based international order and maintenance of close alliances and partnerships. Canada has been a key partner for the United States, both due to their close economic links and their shared border, the world’s longest at 5,525 miles. Canada is also a key NATO ally for the United States and is active in international diplomacy around the world.

Content

General view of the United Nations Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East at the UN headquarters on February 28, 2026, in New York City. (Wang Fan/China News Service/VCG via Reuters Connect)

Dispatches

Mar 3, 2026

Experts react: How the world is responding to the US-Israeli war with Iran

By Atlantic Council experts

We turned to our global network to explain how leaders in Europe, Asia, and Latin America are viewing the ongoing US-Israeli war against Iran.

Argentina China

Issue Brief

Mar 3, 2026

Expanding transmission infrastructure to achieve low-cost, reliable, and abundant energy

By Ken Berlin, Frank Willey

With demand for electricity rising, the United States needs a long-term strategy to expand the power grid and improve energy reliability and affordability.

Energy & Environment Renewables & Advanced Energy

Dispatches

Feb 28, 2026

Experts react: The US and Israel just unleashed a major attack on Iran. What’s next?

By Atlantic Council experts

Atlantic Council experts assess the unfolding Operation Epic Fury and where it goes from here.

Conflict Iran

Issue Brief

Feb 26, 2026

Standardizing carbon accounting worldwide with a single, robust, cost-effective system

By Vincent Aussilloux, Yann Coatanlem, and Karthik Ramanna

Carbon accounting has the potential to accelerate decarbonization, improve energy resilience, and strengthen economic security. But first, countries must decide on a robust, standardized system.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

Dispatches

Feb 25, 2026

Why the Arctic matters to the United States

By Julia Nesheiwat

The region is rapidly becoming a geopolitical arena where Russia and China’s deepening cooperation challenges Western dominance.

China Critical Minerals

Econographics

Feb 25, 2026

The US and Mexico need stronger financial cooperation to disrupt illicit financial flows

By Phil Lovegren

Killing cartel leaders grabs headlines, but lasting progress in curbing the illicit drug trade requires following the money. If the United States and Mexico truly want to tackle organized crime, they must deepen cooperation to disrupt the financial flows that sustain it.

Economy & Business Financial Crimes & Illicit Trade

EnergySource

Feb 25, 2026

Can Project Vault fortify the US industrial base against mineral chokepoints?

By Morgan D. Bazilian and Lt. Col. Jahara “FRANKY” Matisek

Project Vault will help the United States create a stockpile of critical minerals, but its success as a strategic asset will depend on its governance.

Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security

Dispatches

Feb 24, 2026

Eight questions (and expert answers) on what’s next for US tariff policy 

By Atlantic Council experts

Our experts explain what’s next for US tariff policy as the Trump administration imposes 10 percent global tariffs in response to Friday’s Supreme Court ruling.

Economy & Business European Union

Econographics

Feb 24, 2026

In Munich, a reminder that economic security is national security

By Kimberly Donovan, Lize de Kruijf

Policymakers at this year's MSC raised economic security as an issue that they cannot cordon off separately from traditional security issues.

Economy & Business European Union

Dispatches

Feb 23, 2026

Toxins are an escalating global threat. Here’s how governments should respond.

By Asha M. George, John T. O’Brien

Recent cases in the news of poisons derived directly from plant or animal life highlight a danger that is too often overlooked in biodefense.

Crisis Management Resilience & Society

Experts

Events