Geopolitics
It’s Joe Biden’s America, but could it be Xi Jinping’s world?
As Biden’s presidency enters its first one hundred days, he can’t take his eyes off Chinese President Xi Jinping’s efforts to accelerate China’s rise.
Foreign Policy
Why Iran could top Biden’s Middle East agenda
Each crisis represents a major US foreign-policy challenge, but all may receive less attention from the new American administration than another pressing issue in the region: Iran’s recent nuclear advances.
China
Xi Jinping at the virtual Davos: Multilateralism with Chinese characteristics
When China’s leader invokes multilateralism, he doesn’t have in mind what many others in the international community do. That chasm needs to be recognized—and bridged.
National Security
The many new ways energy and national security are intersecting
Oil and gas will still play a crucial role in the world’s economy even as clean-energy “electrostates” rise in prominence, and Biden will prioritize the threat of climate change like no president has before him.
As the global community continues to grapple with COVID-19 (coronavirus), the Atlantic Council is open for business. Our business, meetings, and events, however, are occurring virtually. For more information, please read a statement from our President and CEO.
2021 Global Energy Forum
Review a playlist of all panels
Since 2017, the Atlantic Council has hosted the annual Global Energy Forum to convene energy and foreign policy leaders and set the energy agenda for the coming year. Each Forum presents three key themes deemed essential to the understanding of the global energy system. The 2021 Forum had a special focus on the post-pandemic energy system, emerging net-zero carbon goals, the role of the Middle East in the energy transition, and the US’s energy and foreign policy priorities in the Biden administration.
Now in its fifth year, the annual Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum is the go-to energy conference to discuss the geopolitical and market issues confronting the energy industry in the coming year. The Forum convenes the world’s top energy and foreign policy decisionmakers to set the global energy agenda for 2021.
Tue, Jan 19, 2021
Top UAE officials assess renewables, peak oil, and the post-COVID energy market
Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, UAE’s minister of industry and advanced technology, joined Suhail Al Mazrouei, the UAE minister of energy and infrastructure, and Musabbeh Al Kaabi, the CEO of UAE investments at the Mubadala Investment Company.
Wed, Jan 20, 2021
FAST THINKING: Five big takeaways from Joe Biden’s inaugural address
Joe Biden’s inaugural address was a call for unity—and also resilience. What did the speech signal about where his presidency is headed? Here’s key takeaways from five leading experts on international affairs.
Fast Thinking by
Thu, Jan 21, 2021
The many new ways energy and national security are intersecting
Oil and gas will still play a crucial role in the world’s economy even as clean-energy “electrostates” rise in prominence, and Biden will prioritize the threat of climate change like no president has before him.
New Atlanticist by
The Global Energy Center promotes energy security by working alongside government, industry, civil society, and public stakeholders to devise pragmatic solutions to the geopolitical, sustainability, and economic challenges of the changing global energy landscape.
Elections 2020
Sat, Nov 7, 2020
Joe Biden just won the presidency: What does that mean for America’s role in the world?
Atlantic Council experts weigh in on what the outcome of the 2020 election means for US foreign policy and America’s role in the world.
Elections 2020 by
Fri, Nov 6, 2020
Biden’s victory provides an ‘inflection point’ for American democracy
A Biden victory provides an opportunity for Americans to regain their appetite for compromise at home to tackle the country’s most pressing challenges and for international common cause to safeguard the gains in democracy and prosperity of the past seventy-five years.
Inflection Points by Frederick Kempe
Thu, Nov 12, 2020
Complex identities: Kamala Harris and US foreign policy towards the Caribbean
Due to both her experience and her story, Kamala Devi Harris, alongside President-elect Joe Biden, provides an important new symbol of what the United States stands for in the world and could usher in a new era for US-Caribbean relations.
New Atlanticist by
#ACElections2020 events
Elections 2020: America’s Role in the World is a series of conversations on the top foreign policy priorities for the next four years, featuring the most prominent voices shaping the national dialogue. From the Conventions to the Elections, the series will explore key questions concerning America’s role and interests in the world, bringing a foreign policy perspective to the conversation and addressing the most critical issues at the intersection between the domestic and international spheres.
The way forward: America’s role in the world after the US presidential election
A discussion about what the results of the 2020 elections portend for the United States and the international community.
THU, NOV 12, 2020 12:00 PM
ONLINE EVENT
2020 road to the White House: Why Latin America and the Latino vote matter
The 2020 US presidential election is around the corner and the US Latino population is set to play a crucial role in electing the next US president, accounting for 13.3 percent of all eligible voters.
WED, OCT 28, 2020 3:00 PM
ONLINE EVENT
Domestic violent extremism and the 2020 election
With the 2020 election approaching, threats of domestic violence and extremism have escalated across the United States. Extremism experts join the DFRLab to contextualize the growth of these organizations and explain how they leverage the internet to plan and engage in violent actions.
WED, OCT 21, 2020 4:00 PM
ONLINE EVENT
Will democracy prevail?
Belarus
Belarus’ August 2020 presidential election saw widespread protests and serious fraud allegations as President Lukashenka claimed victory against popular opposition candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. Following a brutal crackdown against protestors by security forces, will Belarus begin its transition to democracy, or will Belarusians face further repression as Lukashenka’s rule falters?
Wed, Jan 20, 2021
Can stalling tactics save the wily Belarusian dictator?
Belarusian dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka has sought to defuse protests against his regime by promising to step down following constitutional reform, but critics believe he is merely trying to buy time.
Wed, Jan 20, 2021
Belarus presents the West with an opportunity to be on the right side of history
In shunning dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka and embracing Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and the opposition, the West is on the right side of history in Belarus. It must now make sure that it stays there.
UkraineAlert by Brian Whitmore
Wed, Jan 13, 2021
Vladimir Putin has nothing but bad options in Belarus
Vladimir Putin knows his support for dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka is poisoning attitudes towards Russia in neighboring Belarus, but he cannot allow a democratic uprising to succeed so close to home.
UkraineAlert by Brian Whitmore
Coronavirus
A global crisis
While global policymakers race to contain the coronavirus, the outbreak has already disrupted the global economy and challenged the strength of societies. The pandemic has transformed relations between countries and could trigger a significant shift in the international order.
Wed, Sep 30, 2020
Nepal in the face of intersectional crises: A history of mismanagement
Nepal’s poor governance track record—characterized by inadequate leadership after the 2015 earthquake, a divided ruling party, corruption and mishandling of funds by the government, and questionable governance practices by the prime minister—not only puts the population at a disadvantage in weathering the pandemic, but it also may deal additional blows to the country’s health and economic wellbeing.
Tue, Sep 29, 2020
The impact of COVID-19 on either shore of the Mediterranean
This report draws on case studies of Libya, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, and migration to the EU to illuminate the key challenges faced in the Mediterranean community, and warns of the undesirable outcomes ahead if international inaction toward the region persists.
Issue Brief by Karim Mezran, Emily Burchfield, Paolo Alli, Emadeddin Badi, Haykel Ben Mahfoudh, Alessia Melcangi
Mon, Sep 14, 2020
IDB president warns of a looming COVID debt crisis in Latin America, but also highlights opportunities
Actions taken throughout the region to control not only the pandemic, but also “the spread of poverty [and] the spread of unemployment,” have “increased debt to households, to governments, and to businesses,” Moreno explained, while the restrictions of movement and commerce imposed to curb the spread of the virus will make it more difficult for Latin American economies to cope with this debt once the initial phase of the crisis is over.
New Atlanticist by David A. Wemer
Upcoming events
Atlantic Council Front Page
#ACFrontPage harnesses the convening power and expertise of the Council’s fourteen programs and centers to spotlight the world’s most prominent leaders and the most compelling ideas across sectors. The virtual platform engages new audiences eager for nonpartisan and constructive solutions to current global challenges. This widely promoted 45-minute program features the Council’s most important guests and content serving as the highlight of our programming each week.
Commentary and analysis
Mon, Jun 29, 2020
NAFTA’s successor is about to take effect. Here’s why it will be good for North America—and bad for the WTO
While the USMCA preserves free-trade flows among the three member countries, its use by the United States as a template for future trade negotiations, starting with the EU and the United Kingdom, would have a far-reaching effect on future developments of world trade.
New Atlanticist by Hung Tran
Tue, Jun 23, 2020
US government broadcasters have long advanced the cause of freedom. Now they’re under threat.
One of the most effective tools for explaining America and its best values to the world may vanish. But you don’t advance freedom by dismantling free institutions or a free press. You advance it by empowering them.
New Atlanticist by Josh Lipsky, Daniel Fried
Mon, Jun 8, 2020
Where does China really stand on debt relief?
So far, many developing countries have avoided the worst effects of the virus. But it may be only a matter of time before underdeveloped health systems are overwhelmed. China can make a big difference by accelerating debt relief. But it is not clear whether Beijing is prepared to act under any motivation beyond the bottom-line concerns of its own lending institutions.
New Atlanticist by
In-depth research and reports
Flagship events
2020 Distinguished Leadership Awards
Among the most significant events on the Washington calendar celebrating global leaders, the Distinguished Leadership Awards is one of the Atlantic Council’s flagship convenings – bringing together a global audience of over 800 guests from more than fifty countries–including global policymakers, business leaders, military brass, and top-tier media.
Global Energy Forum
The Atlantic Council’s Global Energy Forum is the go-to conference on the geopolitics of the energy transformation, where energy and foreign policy leaders come together to set the energy agenda for the year and examine the longer-term geopolitical and geo-economic implications of the changing energy system. Held in Abu Dhabi 10-12 January under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces, the forum is held in partnership with the UAE Ministry of Energy and Industry, ADNOC, and Mubadala, and is part of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.
2019 Global Citizen Awards
The tenth annual Atlantic Council Global Citizen Awards honored President of the Republic of Chile Sebastián Piñera; Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte; Brian Grazer, storyteller, movie and television producer, founder, and philanthropist; will.i.am, founder of the Black Eyed Peas, Founder & CEO of I.AM+, and Founder and President, i.am.angel Foundation.
From the Atlantic Council’s Blogs
Critical Issues
Resilience
The growing threats of climate change, migration, natural disasters, and spillover from violent conflict are forcing policy makers to focus on the resilience of their societies and institutions. While not all crises can be avoided, societies can be made more resilient through proper preparation before, during, and after a disaster or shock occurs.
READ MORE
Disinformation
The rise of the internet and online social networks has altered the scope and scale at which people access, consume, and communicate information. But the same technologies that have democratized access to information have also enabled malicious actors who seek to undermine our democratic values and processes. Disinformation is false or misleading information spread with the intention to deceive.
READ MORE
NATO
NATO is the bedrock of transatlantic security, encompassing nearly thirty democracies across North America and Europe. Created to defend against the Soviet Union, the Alliance today protects member states against conventional attack, engages in peacekeeping and stabilization operations, and leads counterterrorism and piracy efforts. NATO works with partner countries around the world and continues to promise an “open door” for countries to become members if they fulfill the Alliance’s democratic and operational standards.
READ MORE
Critical Regions
Africa
A continent of fifty-four nations, Africa holds vast opportunity and promise. Its 1.2 billion population is expected to double by 2050 and become the world’s largest region. Alongside this demographic boom, Africa is home to almost half the world’s fastest-growing economies as its leaders are taking steps to expand the movement of goods, people, and capital within the continent. Demand for democracy is high and protest movements have proven that citizen activism can unseat consolidated African strongmen.
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Europe & Eurasia
Stretching from the shores of the Atlantic to the mountains of Central Asia, the European and Eurasian landmass contains both some of the most stable and wealthy countries in the world, as well as some of the poorest and those led by repressive regimes. After centuries of devastating conflicts, new institutions and organizations for economic, political, and security integration provide an opportunity to bring stability
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Middle East
Stretching from the Western Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean, the Middle East continues to be a region struggling with violent conflict, political repression, and poor development. Numerous pro-democracy protest movements, a burgeoning youth population, and efforts to reform governments and lessen economic dependence on oil, however, are causes for optimism. The United States and the international community must remain engaged with the region to provide support for these positive moves and to address the many remaining challenges.
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