Afghanistan
The next US-Taliban deal is just one step—and the Afghans must have their say—on the path toward peace in Afghanistan
The agreement now developing can be a vital first step toward the political solution we have long known is the only way to end the conflict, consistent with the interests of the Afghan people and their international partners. But there will be many more steps to come before that goal is achieved.
Inflection Points
Global investors underestimate downside economic risks
They are underestimating the forces that are changing the very nature of the world economy – a growing degree of “deglobalization” in the face of US-Chinese decoupling. At the same time, they are overestimating the power of monetary and fiscal stimulus to keep the global economic party going.
Iran
Cover-ups and incompetence: Iran as the Middle East’s coronavirus epicenter
A jump in confirmed infections in the country during the third week of February brought the World Health Organization’s attention to the country, particularly because they had no apparent, immediate link to China—running counter to claims by Iranian health ministry officials.
Energy
Despite election, UK fracking faces an uphill battle
In their pre-election manifesto, the UK Conservatives stated that their stance will be to “not support fracking unless the science shows categorically it can be done safely,” something of a U-turn for the party. Why adopt such a significant policy change now?
Coronavirus
A global crisis
While global policymakers race to contain the new coronavirus strain, the outbreak has already disrupted world travel and supply chains. The crisis is challenging the strength of the Chinese state and could imperil economic growth throughout the world.
Tue, Feb 11, 2020
US taking right approach with China over coronavirus, former White House official says
As world leaders attempt to halt the spread of the novel coronavirus, the United States has been correct to take “a soft touch approach to the relationship with Beijing,” former US homeland security advisor Thomas P. Bossert said at the Atlantic Council on February 11.
Sun, Feb 9, 2020
Trump and two “black swans”
Coronavirus and the shooting down of the Iranian passenger jet are “black swan” events that expose the flaws of authoritarian governments in dealing with unanticipated crises. They also provide President Trump unforeseen opportunities to advance the two most significant foreign policy issues of his administration – changing China’s unfair trading practices and pushing back against Iran’s malign behavior.
Inflection Points by Frederick Kempe
Mon, Jan 27, 2020
The potential global impact of the coronavirus outbreak
Beijing “must act” to contain the coronavirus outbreak, Miyeon Oh says, “especially in light of the indirect but potentially massive economic, social, and political impacts of the coronavirus in the region and around the world.” There is growing concern in Beijing as well, Robert A. Manning added, “that if this pandemic is only in its early stages, it could become the straw that broke the camel’s back for an already anemic economy.”
New Atlanticist by David A. Wemer
Commentary and analysis
Wed, Feb 12, 2020
The German center does not hold
As Germans continue to come to grips with the political fall-out of the debacle in Thuringia and the selection of a new leader for the CDU, one thing is clear, the political stability offered by the dominance of the center-left and center-right that typified the Federal Republic of Germany is anything but certain in the months and years to come.
New Atlanticist by
Wed, Feb 12, 2020
After the 2020 Taiwan election: Strengthening defense and security cooperation
Seemingly good results at the polls do not negate the domestic and international issues that President Tsai and the DPP will have to face over the next four years, including internal battles over Taiwanese national identity, cooperation with the United States, and relations with mainland China.
New Atlanticist by
Thu, Jan 9, 2020
Democracy under siege: Advancing cooperation and common values in the Indo-Pacific
“Democracy under Siege: Advancing Cooperation and Common Values in the Indo-Pacific” examines challenges and opportunities for advancing cooperation and common values in the Indo-Pacific as the region faces an increasing challenge from China.
Issue Brief by
In-depth research and reports
Flagship events
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.
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.
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.
Atlantic Council in the news
From the Atlantic Council’s Blogs
Millennium Leadership Program
Director
Daniel Bennett
Daniel Bennett is the director of the Millennium Leadership Program (MLP), the Atlantic Council’s flagship center for identifying and engaging the next generation of global leaders. Building on a fifty-year tradition of future leaders programming at the Council, MLP sets the gold standard for this work in the policy sector.
Fri, Jan 31, 2020
In their own words: Millennium Fellows reflect
Three Millennium Fellows shared their thoughts with us on their motivations to join, where they found the most value, and shared some advice for prospective applicants and the incoming class. Answers have been edited for length and clarity.
Mon, Dec 9, 2019
Millennium Leadership Program announces call for 2020 Millennium Fellowship applications
On December 9, 2019 the Millennium Leadership Program opened the 2020 Millennium Fellowship Application. Inviting individuals aged 25-35 years old to apply, this competitive process will see twenty spots filled by promising talent from the next generation of global leaders.
Press Release by
Sat, Jun 1, 2019
Millennium Leadership Program 2019 Core Program
From May 3 to May 17, the 2018 and 2019 cohorts of Millennium Fellows traveled to Colombia for MLP’s annual Core Program. The 2019 cohort began with the Study Tour component that included meetings with seven ministers and cabinet members, two additional elected officials, six additional senior government and multilateral officials, and a nonprofit leader […]
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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