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Elections 2020

#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.

Issue Spotlight
Issue Spotlight

Coronavirus

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.

Mon, Nov 9, 2020

The Blue Economy: A global agenda to explore, protect, and develop ocean resources

Public Event Five maritime experts join the Scowcroft Center and its Forward Defense practice area for a virtual discussion on the Blue Economy and how the United States can sustainably and responsibly cultivate international cooperation in this arena.

1:30pm Economy & Business Energy & Environment Entrepreneurship International Norms

Mon, Nov 9, 2020

The future of US-Ecuador relations: A post-election perspective with Foreign Relations Minister Luis Gallegos

Public Event How can the United States and Ecuador work together to take on new challenges post-COVID-19? And what lessons can Ecuador offer Latin America and the Caribbean?

4:00pm Americas Economy & Business Geopolitics & Energy Security Latin America

Commentary and analysis

In-depth research and reports

Tue, Nov 3, 2020

Embracing underseas robots: a US strategy to maintain underseas superiority in an age of unmanned systems

The future of warfare is progression towards uncrewed systems and automation. This report takes a look at this trend in the undersea domain, proposing a strategy for the United States to leverage the emerging capacity of unmanned undersea vehicles.

Report by Erich Frandrup

China Defense Industry

Thu, Oct 29, 2020

Colombia’s shale resource potential

An exploration of the necessary conditions for successful shale development in Colombia.

In-Depth Research & Reports by John D. Padilla

Colombia Energy & Environment

Wed, Oct 28, 2020

Digitalization in Central and Eastern Europe: Building regional cooperation

Digitalization has been heralded as “the next engine of growth” for the economies of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and the idea that digitalization can transform the region’s economic model has never been more relevant than amid the current coronavirus pandemic.

Report by The Atlantic Council Task Force on Digitalization in Central and Eastern Europe and the Three Seas Initiative

Central Europe Digital Policy

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.

From the Atlantic Council’s Blogs

Sun, Nov 8, 2020

Why a Biden presidency is very good news for Ukraine

After Joe Biden’s US presidential election victory was declared, President Zelenskyy was one of the first foreign leaders to congratulate him. He was wise to do so. Ukraine has much to gain from a Biden presidency, as does Zelenskyy personally.

UkraineAlert by Anders Åslund

Conflict Democratic Transitions

Sat, Nov 7, 2020

Nuclear energy policy represents a bipartisan path forward on climate for the Biden Administration

With former Vice President Joe Biden now the President-elect of the United States, enthusiasm on the left is tempered by the likelihood that Republicans will keep the Senate. However, while the full scope of Democratic policies may not be realized by the next Congress, legislation that encourages the rapid deployment of nuclear energy technology represents an area where Democrats and Republicans can continue to work together—as they have over the last four years—on advancing technologies with the potential to decarbonize power systems at home and abroad.

EnergySource by Jennifer T. Gordon

Energy & Environment Energy Transitions

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 Atlantic Council

Economy & Business Elections

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

Elections United States and Canada
Program Spotlight

Foresight, Strategy, and Risks Initiative

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.

READ MORE

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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