Welcome to our hub for the Atlantic Council’s expert, nonpartisan commentary, analysis, insights, and events on what’s in play in terms of America’s role in the world—from alliances and great-power competition to emerging technologies, energy and climate, national security, and the global economy.

FAST THINKING: Iran sends a message

Inflection Points Jan 24, 2021

It’s Joe Biden’s America, but could it be Xi Jinping’s world?

As Joe Biden’s presidency enters its first one hundred days, he can’t take his eyes off Xi Jinping’s efforts to leverage the anniversary of the first one hundred years of the CCP’s power. Biden faces a wide array of international challenges, but this contest will be the one that will define his place in history—and whether democracy or authoritarianism will be the ascendant system for the future.

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FAST THINKING: Iran sends a message

Fast Thinking Jan 20, 2021

FAST THINKING: Five big takeaways from Joe Biden’s inaugural address

By Atlantic Council

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.
Coronavirus Elections
FAST THINKING: Iran sends a message

Issue Brief Jan 22, 2021

The United States, Germany, and world order: New priorities for a changing alliance

By Roderick Kefferpütz, Jeremy Stern

Treating each divergence in security policy as an isolated incident may have allowed policymakers on both sides of the Atlantic to ignore the unpleasant fact that the United States and Germany could have increasingly disparate perceptions of threats and strategic cultures.
Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia

Featured content

FAST THINKING: Rapid insight from our experts

Biden’s $1.9 trillion message to Congress

What’s next for the insurrectionists?

What Biden can do with a Democratic Congress

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Exploring five big questions for the administration

Five big questions as America votes: Europe

Five big questions as America votes: China

Five big questions as America votes: Latin America
See the Whole Series

NATO 20/2020: Twenty bold ideas to reimagine the Alliance after the 2020 US election

NATO 20/2020

More than two decades after NATO’s inspired decision to invite former adversaries to join its ranks, the Alliance is in need of equally captivating ideas. Read our twenty essays on the future of NATO.

Top coverage

Research and analysis

Democracy

Elections 2020

Nov 16, 2020

We must face up to what is happening in the United States of America

By Mathew Burrows

Despite Joe Biden’s victory, the fallout from the 2020 election is posing a mortal threat to American democracy from within. We must not sugarcoat what is happening in our country. Instead, we should face up to it and the responsibility we all bear—whether we are Republicans, Democrats, or Independents—for our present predicament.

Elections Politics & Diplomacy

Energy and the environment

FAST THINKING: Iran sends a message

EnergySource Nov 29, 2020

Which Trump Administration-era policies should the incoming Biden-Harris Administration continue?

By Global Energy Center

Amidst the Trump Administration’s empty talk of “energy dominance,” “freedom gas,” and “the cleanest air, the cleanest water,” the Administration developed a number of good policies that align with President-elect Biden’s climate, energy security, and foreign policy objectives. If the Senate remains in Republican hands, these areas might be some of the best opportunities President-elect Biden has to advance his climate and energy goals.
Energy & Environment United States and Canada
FAST THINKING: Iran sends a message

Elections 2020 Oct 30, 2020

Either way, this election is a major turning point for our climate future

As the nation braces for the presidential election next week, there’s arguably no issue beyond the COVID-19 crisis for which the stakes are higher than climate change policy.
Climate Change & Climate Action Elections

Content

Fast Thinking

Nov 23, 2020

FAST THINKING: Meet the picks for Biden’s national security team

By Atlantic Council

Joe Biden’s selections for his incoming national security team are coming in fast. But what’s the bigger picture that’s coming into focus?

Elections Intelligence

Fast Thinking

Nov 23, 2020

FAST THINKING: It’s Yellen for Treasury

By Atlantic Council

Janet Yellen could face an economy devastated by the coronavirus and the haphazard response to it in Washington. Josh Lipsky provides insight into how she might manage a difficult recovery.

Elections Financial Regulation

Fast Thinking

Nov 23, 2020

FAST THINKING: How Tony Blinken sees America

By Atlantic Council

Joe Biden is reportedly about to make his first major foreign-policy move by announcing that he’ll nominate Tony Blinken, his longtime advisor and a veteran of the Clinton and Obama administrations, as secretary of state. To answer the big questions about who Blinken is and how he might serve in the role, we turned to Dan Fried, a former US ambassador who spent forty years in the foreign service and has known Blinken for decades.

Elections Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Nov 23, 2020

Why foreign election interference fizzled in 2020

By Scott Jasper

The lessons of 2016 seem to have been heeded by those looking to protect us from disinformation from abroad, but the real threat in 2020 came from misinformation within the United States.

Disinformation

Report

Nov 23, 2020

How the West should deal with Russia

By Alexander Vershbow, Daniel Fried

The United States must deal with Russia as it is, not as it wishes it to be. What does a policy framework to address both Russia’s dismal current realities and its better future potential look like?

Arms Control European Union

EnergySource

Nov 22, 2020

In states with key clean energy wins, utilities have a strong hand in driving or stalling progress

By Emily Burlinghaus

The 2020 US elections delivered some notable state and city-level wins for clean energy across the United States, notably in Nevada, Colorado, and Ohio. However, even in states that delivered victories for clean energy, utilities will still play a key role in driving—or stalling—the clean energy transition. The complex history of clean energy policy in each of these states points to the divergent paths both cities and states can take to decarbonize and the importance of striking a delicate balance between government, utilities, and public interests.

Climate Change & Climate Action Elections

Inflection Points

Nov 22, 2020

Record Asian trade deal is ‘wake-up’ call for Biden about declining US global leadership

By Frederick Kempe

The Biden administration has made as one of its top priorities the reinvigoration of common cause alongside global partners and allies. Reversing current trends, however, needs to begin with an understanding of where US “no-shows” have been most significant.

International Financial Institutions International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Nov 19, 2020

The Trump administration can still seal a trade deal with India—and cement a legacy

By Mark Linscott

An agreement may not be objectively huge in scope but it should be deemed sufficiently significant in resolving difficult market access issues on both sides, warranting a rapid conclusion during this lame-duck moment.

India Trade

IranSource

Nov 19, 2020

The risk of a too comprehensive deal with Iran

By Raz Zimmt

Any attempt to enforce restrictions on Iran’s regional activities under a new and more comprehensive JCPOA is likely to encounter several significant challenges.

Iran Middle East

Fast Thinking

Nov 17, 2020

FAST THINKING: Trump fires top DHS cybersecurity official over election protection

By Atlantic Council

Donald Trump escalated his attacks on the integrity of the US election process Tuesday night, firing a top Department of Homeland Security cybersecurity official who spent the last weeks debunking many of the president’s false claims about election fraud.

Cybersecurity Disinformation
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Events

Online Event Thu, November 12, 2020 • 12:00 pm ET

The way forward: America’s role in the world after the US presidential election
China Coronavirus Economy & Business Elections
Online Event Tue, November 10, 2020 • 11:00 am ET

Initial Reactions: Disinformation in the 2020 Elections
Disinformation Elections Politics & Diplomacy United States and Canada
Online Event Wed, October 28, 2020 • 3:00 pm ET

2020 road to the White House: Why Latin America and the Latino vote matter
Elections Latin America United States and Canada
Public Event Wed, October 21, 2020 • 4:00 pm ET

Domestic violent extremism and the 2020 election
Disinformation Elections Extremism United States and Canada
Public Event Mon, October 19, 2020 • 10:00 am ET

The future of US national security
China Coronavirus Crisis Management Defense Policy
Public Event Wed, September 30, 2020 • 10:00 am ET

A conversation with Mayor Pete Buttigieg

AN #ACFRONTPAGE EVENT – Mayor Pete Buttigieg discussed the future of US leadership, reigniting support for American engagement and diversity in foreign policy.
Civil Society Coronavirus Defense Policy Elections
Public Event Tue, September 29, 2020 • 3:00 pm ET

2020 Election integrity and foreign interference
Disinformation Elections United States and Canada
Public Event Mon, September 21, 2020 • 1:00 pm ET

Reporting on 2020: Free press, disinformation, and election integrity
Disinformation Elections Media United States and Canada
Public Event Mon, August 31, 2020 • 10:00 am ET

Elections 2020: Foreign policy half-time report
Elections
Public Event Thu, August 27, 2020 • 4:00 pm ET

America’s role in the world: US views on the future, at home and abroad
Elections
Public Event Wed, August 26, 2020 • 10:00 am ET

US defense strategy and posture for an era of great power competition
Elections
Public Event Tue, August 25, 2020 • 1:00 pm ET

Are we ready? Foreign interference, disinformation, and the 2020 election
Disinformation Elections United States and Canada
Public Event Fri, August 21, 2020 • 10:00 am ET

The next four years: American leadership on the global stage
Elections
Public Event Thu, August 20, 2020 • 3:00 pm ET

Democracy vs. authoritarianism: The role of American foreign policy
Elections
Public Event Thu, August 20, 2020 • 12:00 pm ET

Cyber-insecurity: The coming digital disruption
Elections
Public Event Wed, August 19, 2020 • 3:00 pm ET

Digital crossroads: World choices for 2021 and onward
Cybersecurity Democratic Transitions Digital Policy Elections
Public Event Wed, August 19, 2020 • 12:30 pm ET

Energy and environment in the next administration
Elections
Public Event Wed, August 19, 2020 • 11:00 am ET

Divergent threats and emergent powers
Elections Security & Defense
Public Event Mon, August 17, 2020 • 12:00 pm ET

A conversation with former US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton

AN #ACFRONTPAGE EVENT – Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton discussed the key foreign policy priorities for the next presidential administration and the future of US leadership.
China Europe & Eurasia Politics & Diplomacy Russia

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The Atlantic Council has experts covering the geopolitical implications of the 2020 US elections. To connect with any of our experts, members of the media can view our experts’ bios by issue area below and contact the Council’s media relations team at press@atlanticcouncil.org to arrange:

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connect with our experts

Geopolitical strategy, security, and risk

Fellow

Barry Pavel

Distinguished Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Policy Defense Technologies
Tom-Bossert-2

Former fellow

Thomas P. Bossert

Distinguished Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Technology & Innovation Security & Defense

Staff

Peter Engelke

Senior Fellow, Scowcroft Strategy Initiative

Global Energy Center Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Technology & Innovation Europe & Eurasia

Staff

Miyeon Oh

Senior Advisor and Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Indo-Pacific Economy & Business

Disinformation, foreign interference, cybersecurity

Graham Brookie

Staff

Graham Brookie

Vice President and Senior Director

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Disinformation National Security

Former staff

Emerson T. Brooking

Senior Fellow

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Defense Policy Disinformation

Former fellow

Cindy L. Otis

Former Nonresident Fellow

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Cybersecurity Disinformation

Staff

Trey Herr

Senior Director

Cyber Statecraft Initiative Digital Forensic Research Lab

Cybersecurity Digital Policy

Defense, military, security

Fellow

Barry Pavel

Distinguished Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Policy Defense Technologies

Staff

Matthew Kroenig

Vice President and Senior Director, Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

China Defense Policy

Fellow

Ian Brzezinski

Senior Fellow

Europe Center Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Central Europe Defense Policy

Staff

William F. Wechsler

Senior Director, Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

National Security Middle East

Former fellow

Mark D. Simakovsky

Former Nonresident Senior Fellow

Eurasia Center

Russia National Security

Former staff

Kirsten Fontenrose

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Middle East National Security

Former staff

Christopher Skaluba

Former Director

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

NATO Security & Defense

Fellow

Thomas S. Warrick

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Forward Defense Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

National Security Terrorism

Staff

Clementine G. Starling

Director, Forward Defense

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Security & Defense NATO

Former staff

Christopher Preble

Former Co-Director, New American Engagement Initiative

New American Engagement Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Policy Defense Technologies

Diplomacy

Fellow

Daniel Fried

Weiser Family Distinguished Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative Eurasia Center

Eastern Europe Democratic Transitions

Former staff

Ash Jain

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Scowcroft Strategy Initiative

Europe & Eurasia Indo-Pacific

Staff

John E. Herbst

Senior Director

Eurasia Center

Ukraine Politics & Diplomacy

Former staff

Mathew Burrows

Former Director for Foresight and Co-director, New American Engagement Initiative

New American Engagement Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Non-Traditional Threats Technology & Innovation

Former staff

Christopher Preble

Former Co-Director, New American Engagement Initiative

New American Engagement Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Policy Defense Technologies

Staff

Richard L. Morningstar

Founding Chairman, Global Energy Center

Global Energy Center

Geopolitics & Energy Security Oil and Gas

Climate change and energy

Former staff

Kathy Baughman McLeod

Former Senior Vice President and Director, Adrienne Arsht Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center

Adrienne Arsht – Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center

Climate Change & Climate Action Resilience

Fellow

Randolph Bell

Global Energy Center

Geopolitics & Energy Security Energy Markets & Governance

Former staff

Margaret Jackson

Former Deputy Director, Climate and Advanced Energy

Global Energy Center

China Renewables & Advanced Energy

Economy

Staff

Josh Lipsky

Senior Director

GeoEconomics Center

China Digital Currencies

Fellow

Julia Friedlander

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Digital Currencies Economic Sanctions

Relations with Europe

Fellow

Daniel Fried

Weiser Family Distinguished Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative Eurasia Center

Eastern Europe Democratic Transitions

Staff

John E. Herbst

Senior Director

Eurasia Center

Ukraine Politics & Diplomacy

Former staff

Benjamin Haddad

Former Senior Director

Europe Center

Defense Policy Disinformation

Former staff

Damon Wilson

Former Executive Vice President

NATO Europe & Eurasia
melinda haring

Fellow

Melinda Haring

Former Deputy Director

Eurasia Center

Ukraine Civil Society

Former staff

Anders Åslund

Former Senior Fellow

Eurasia Center

Ukraine Economy & Business

Relations with Asia

Former fellow

Robert A. Manning

Former Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Scowcroft Strategy Initiative

China Energy Markets & Governance

Staff

Miyeon Oh

Senior Advisor and Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Indo-Pacific Economy & Business

Relations with Middle East

Staff

William F. Wechsler

Senior Director, Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

National Security Middle East

Former staff

Kirsten Fontenrose

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Middle East National Security

Staff

Holly Dagres

Editor, MENASource and IranSource

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Civil Society Corruption

Former fellow

Barbara Slavin

Former Director, Future of Iran Initiative

Future of Iran Initiative

Iran Human Rights
El-Gamal Jasmine

Former fellow

Jasmine El-Gamal

Former Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Conflict

Staff

Abbas Kadhim

Director, Iraq Initiative

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Iraq Middle East

Relations with Latin America

Staff

Jason Marczak

Vice President and Senior Director

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Americas Caribbean

Former staff

Roberta Braga

Former Deputy Director, Programs and Outreach

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Brazil Disinformation

Staff

Diego Area

Deputy Director, Strategic Development

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Crisis Management Democratic Transitions

Relations with South Asia

Former fellow

Irfan Nooruddin

Former Nonresident Senior Fellow

South Asia Center

Elections Economy & Business

Relations with Africa

Fellow

Bronwyn Bruton

Africa

Fellow

Aubrey Hruby

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Economy & Business Future of Work

Content

Fast Thinking

Dec 2, 2020

FAST THINKING: Iran sends a message

By Atlantic Council

Now we know how Iran will respond to the assassination of its top nuclear scientist: with an ultimatum to the Biden administration. Tehran enacted a law today to immediately ramp up uranium enrichment—and to expel international nuclear inspectors if US sanctions aren’t lifted by early February, right after Joe Biden takes office. What does the move mean?

Elections Iran

Fast Thinking

Dec 2, 2020

FAST THINKING: NATO’s 138-point plan for survival

By Atlantic Council

This week’s summit of NATO foreign ministers featured the release of an internal report on what it can do to stay relevant over the next decade. The study comes as the Alliance aims to recover from the drift of the Trump era and grapple with new challenges from Russia and China.

Elections International Organizations

Fast Thinking

Nov 30, 2020

FAST THINKING: A speed read on Team Bidenomics

By Atlantic Council

Joe Biden has selected a slate of economic advisers that just might please his party while also (mostly) surviving confirmation in a potentially Republican-controlled Senate.

Economy & Business Elections

In-Depth Research & Reports

Nov 30, 2020

Japan’s nuclear reactor fleet: The geopolitical and climate implications of accelerated decommissioning

By Phyllis Yoshida

Atlantic Council Global Energy Center senior fellow Dr. Phyllis Yoshida discusses the unintended consequences of Japan's decision to decommission part of its nuclear reactor fleet in her new report.

Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security

In-Depth Research & Reports

Nov 30, 2020

Priorities for a transatlantic China strategy

By Franklin D. Kramer

Franklin D. Kramer lays out six spheres of strategic cooperation between Europe and North America to guide joint foreign policy goals with respect to China.

China Economy & Business

EnergySource

Nov 29, 2020

Which Trump Administration-era policies should the incoming Biden-Harris Administration continue?

By Global Energy Center

Amidst the Trump Administration’s empty talk of “energy dominance,” “freedom gas,” and “the cleanest air, the cleanest water,” the Administration developed a number of good policies that align with President-elect Biden’s climate, energy security, and foreign policy objectives. If the Senate remains in Republican hands, these areas might be some of the best opportunities President-elect Biden has to advance his climate and energy goals.

Energy & Environment United States and Canada

UkraineAlert

Nov 27, 2020

Biden picks Antony Blinken: Good news for Ukraine?

By Peter Dickinson

As the countdown continues towards President Biden's inauguration, the Atlantic Council asked experts for their opinions on what the selection of Antony Blinken means for US-Ukrainian ties.

Conflict Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Nov 25, 2020

What a Biden presidency means for US-Colombia relations

By Camila Hernandez and Daniel Payares-Montoya

On repeated occasions, President-elect Biden has characterized Colombia as the “keystone” of US foreign policy toward Latin America and the Caribbean, maintaining that, if elected president, restoring the alliance between the United States and Colombia will be among his top foreign policy priorities.

Colombia Corruption

New Atlanticist

Nov 24, 2020

H.R. McMaster to Biden: Don’t let up on competition with China

By David A. Wemer

As Joe Biden develops his strategy toward China, he should be wary of the instinct to abandon competition with Beijing in favor of cooperation. That’s the advice Lt. General H.R. McMaster, former national security advisor to President Donald Trump, hopes the president-elect heeds.

China International Norms

Fast Thinking

Nov 24, 2020

FAST THINKING: John Kerry, America’s first climate czar

By Atlantic Council

It’s one thing to say you take the threat of climate change seriously. It’s another to create a new cabinet-level post for a “climate envoy,” give it to John Kerry, and save him a seat on your National Security Council. That’s the plan Joe Biden laid out this week. What difference will it make?

Climate Change & Climate Action Elections
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