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.

How Pete Buttigieg sees the US restoring its credibility in the world

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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How Pete Buttigieg sees the US restoring its credibility in the world

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
How Pete Buttigieg sees the US restoring its credibility in the world

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

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

How Pete Buttigieg sees the US restoring its credibility in the world

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
How Pete Buttigieg sees the US restoring its credibility in the world

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

Elections 2020

Oct 28, 2020

Do Iranians really care who wins the US election?

By Sydney Martin

Several factors help explain why so many Iranians assert that it will not matter who wins in the US presidential election.

Iran Middle East

Elections 2020

Oct 27, 2020

The US election through the eyes of Iran’s moderates and hardliners

By Ali Fathollah-Nejad and Amin Naeni

The outcome of the US presidential election will reverberate far beyond the United States, especially in Iran, where it may influence the fortunes of rival political factions as well as the results of Iran’s own presidential elections next June.

Iran Middle East

Elections 2020

Oct 26, 2020

Five big questions as America votes: Eurasia

By Eurasia Center

Easy answers to the Eurasia region have long eluded both a Trump administration and Vice President Biden when he served in the Obama administration—will an electoral victory now give the next US president the momentum needed to manage these foreign policy challenges?

Belarus Conflict

TURKEYSource

Oct 26, 2020

Managing bilateral disagreements through leader-to-leader rapport

By Atlantic Council IN TURKEY

Should former Vice President Joe Biden prevail against Trump in November, it remains unclear whether the US and Turkish leaders would enjoy the same rapport built between Erdoğan and Trump, while the many disagreements between the two countries would remain.

Elections Politics & Diplomacy

Elections 2020

Oct 22, 2020

A razor’s edge between protection and protectionism

By Julia Friedlander

A central task for the next administration will be to create jobs and implement necessary protections for sensitive industries, while at the same time not trampling the free market principles that have made the United States the most powerful economy in the world.

European Union Future of Work

TURKEYSource

Oct 15, 2020

What relationship can the US and Turkey have after 2020?

By Atlantic Council IN TURKEY

In recent years, relations between the United States and its NATO ally Turkey have seen dramatic ups and downs, and Ankara has started to pursue a more independent foreign policy. Regardless of who wins the US elections, it is important to consider whether the United States and Turkey share enough common interests to facilitate strong cooperation moving forward.

Elections Politics & Diplomacy

Elections 2020

Oct 15, 2020

Five big questions as America votes: NATO

By Transatlantic Security Initiative

Although US leadership will continue to be the driving force behind NATO’s strategy, direction, and solidarity going forward, the extent of the United States’ commitment to the Alliance and its future role is still being called into question.

Elections NATO

Elections 2020

Oct 6, 2020

Five big questions as America votes: The geopolitical impacts of technology

By GeoTech Center

Rapid developments in technology impact social, political, and economic issues both locally and globally. As the US presidential election nears, it is critical for Americans to consider the ways technology can both provide solutions and create challenges in the future.

Elections Internet

Elections 2020

Oct 6, 2020

Trump or Biden? Iran weighs the pros and cons of closely watched vote

By Borzou Daragahi

How Iran views the election outcome will play an important role in determining its security posture in the coming months: whether it decides to escalate tensions with Washington or offer an olive branch to either an incoming Biden administration or a Trump White House with a renewed mandate.

Politics & Diplomacy

Elections 2020

Oct 1, 2020

The surprise debate topic: Climate change

By Margaret Jackson

Chris Wallace unexpectedly deviated from his agenda to ask pointed questions about the science and economics behind each candidate’s respective climate plans, reflecting a recognition that, more so than in 2016, public pressure is forcing climate action to be a central issue in this year’s election.

Climate Change & Climate Action Elections
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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, GeoStrategy Initiative

GeoStrategy Initiative Global Energy Center

Technology & Innovation

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

Atlantic Council Technology Programs

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Disinformation National Security

Expert bio

Emerson T. Brooking

Director of Strategy and Resident 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

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

Adrienne Arsht National Security Resilience Initiative GeoStrategy Initiative

National Security Terrorism

Staff

Clementine G. Starling-Daniels

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

GeoStrategy Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

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

GeoStrategy Initiative New American Engagement Initiative

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

Climate 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

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

GeoStrategy Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

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

Former staff

Holly Dagres

Former 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

Former staff

Diego Area

Former Director, Strategic Development Partnerships

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

Senior Advisor

Africa Center

Economy & Business Future of Work

Content

Elections 2020

Sep 30, 2020

How Pete Buttigieg sees the US restoring its credibility in the world

By David A. Wemer

“America cannot move forward in the way that we need to without cooperation with our partners and allies around the world,” Buttigieg maintained, especially with the pressing challenges of a rising China, climate change, and the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Climate Change & Climate Action Coronavirus

Elections 2020

Sep 30, 2020

US Economy: V shape or K shape recovery?

By Josh Lipsky, Nitya Biyani

At last night’s presidential debate moderator Chris Wallace asked the candidates if we are in a ‘V’ shape or ‘K’ shape recovery. What does that mean exactly? A ‘V’ means a rapid rebound bringing economic activity back to its pre-COVID levels. A ‘K’ means an unequal recovery – wealthier Americans do well but poorer Americans remain stuck in recession.

Economy & Business Elections
Interference2020

Elections 2020

Sep 29, 2020

Making sense of foreign interference claims on the eve of the 2020 US election

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

The DFRLab launches an interactive, open-source database that captures allegations of foreign interference relevant to the 2020 election. It assesses the credibility, objectivity, evidence, transparency, and impact of each claim.

Disinformation Elections

Elections 2020

Sep 29, 2020

Five big questions as America votes: Middle East

By Middle East Programs

In every US presidential election since the September 11 terrorist attacks, the Middle East and North Africa has been a top foreign policy issue. The 2020 presidential election is no different.

Conflict Crisis Management

Elections 2020

Sep 24, 2020

If Trump wins, he needs a new approach to Iran

By Barbara Slavin

If US President Donald Trump wins re-election, he will have an opportunity to review his failed approach toward Iran.

Elections Iran

Elections 2020

Sep 24, 2020

Five big questions as America votes: Cybersecurity

By Cyber Statecraft Initiative

With the next US presidential election looming, the next administration will face no shortage of substantive cyber policy issues. US adversaries such as China and Russia continue to undermine and fracture the free and open internet, while the technology ecosystem has been altered by the rapid adoption of cloud computing, placing immense power and responsibility in the hands of few technology giants, such as Amazon and Microsoft.

Cybersecurity Elections

Elections 2020

Sep 23, 2020

Ahead of the 2020 US elections, the disinformation threat is more domestic than foreign

By Larry Luxner

Three top journalists and editors working at the intersection of national security, technology, and elections discussed the challenges they’re facing on a daily basis with the conspiracy theories, misinformation, and lies percolating online ahead of the US elections.

Civil Society Disinformation

Elections 2020

Sep 22, 2020

Five big questions as America votes: Disinformation

By DFRLab

Whether the mis- or disinformation is foreign or domestic in origin, an information environment rife with confusing, polarizing, and often false narratives can only serve to further divide an already tense nation.

China Disinformation

Elections 2020

Sep 17, 2020

Five big questions as America votes: Energy

By Global Energy Center

As the US presidential election looms, the oil and gas industry has suffered from demand shocks during the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change is increasingly in the list of top concerns of US citizens, and there is little overlap between the likely policies of the two presidential candidates.

Climate Change & Climate Action Coronavirus

Elections 2020

Sep 9, 2020

The Indian American voter in 2020

By Safiya Ghori-Ahmad and Fatima Salman

Until 2016, the majority of the roughly 4 million Indian American voters skewed towards the Democratic Party, much has changed since the Obama years, including the presence of the Republican Party’s efforts with this demographic.

Elections India
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