The Atlantic Council at 65

Building a better global future on America’s 250th anniversary

The Atlantic Council was founded in 1961 on a simple but powerful idea: that America’s democracy and freedoms are strongest when they are shared—anchored in democratic alliances, defended by common values, and renewed by collective action. Sixty-five years later, the Atlantic Council’s founding purpose of shaping the global future together with partners and allies has never been more important.

At critical moments, we’ve convened leaders when channels were closed, delivered ideas when imagination was scarce, and stood for alliances when they’ve been most tested. Our work is global, but our origins and continued purpose are distinctly American—rooted in the belief that freedom, when defended collectively, remains the world’s greatest force for good.

As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, the Atlantic Council continues working to ensure that America’s role in the world is defined not by fear or fragmentation, but by confidence, cooperation, and democratic strength.

ONE YEAR, TWO MILESTONES

65 years of impact

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A LETTER FROM OUR LEADERS

Annual Report

Apr 22, 2026

The Atlantic Council at 65, the US at 250, and a mission that has withstood the tests of time

We are confronting another pivotal moment in history on the scale of the one the Council’s founders encountered.

Our Origins

The early years

Melvin Small

In 1998, as part of a research fellowship, the historian Melvin Small prepared a report for NATO on the early years of the Atlantic Council, which was then thirty-seven years old. His investigation captures in rich detail the roots from which today's Atlantic Council has sprung.

The Atlantic imperative

N. W. Collins

The tale of an organization founded at a delicate moment for a young administration, with international crises swirling and a need for a coherent Atlanticist voice.

Learn more about the Atlantic Council's leadership over the years.

US presidents at the Atlantic Council

Programs and Centers

Upcoming Flagship events

Distinguished Leadership Awards

April 23, 2026

The Atlantic Council Distinguished Leadership Awards, known as the “Oscars of Washington,” honors those who demonstrate excellence in leadership: visionary policymakers, trailblazing corporate leaders, decorated military brass, and humanitarian champions who are reshaping our global landscape.

Global Energy Forum

June 9-10, 2026

The 2026 Global Energy Forum will serve as both a reflection on the evolution of the global energy landscape and a forward-looking platform to chart its future based on building systems, strengthening partnerships, and empowering the public.

Transatlantic Forum on GeoEconomics

December 11, 2026

The Atlantic Council’s GeoEconomics Center and Europe Center, as well as Atlantik-Brücke, will host the fifth annual Transatlantic Forum on GeoEconomics in Miami, Florida. This special event will convene senior policymakers and business leaders to reimagine transatlantic coordination, competition, and cooperation at the nexus of trade, national security, and technology.

INTELLIGENCE FROM THE EXPERTS SHAPING GLOBAL POLICY

With the Atlantic Council's daily newsletter, you can get exclusive insight on breaking news, in-depth research on the world's defining challenges, and top moments from our high-level events in your inbox each day.