Issue briefs and reports

Issue briefs and reports

Our programs and centers deliver in-depth, highly relevant issue briefs and reports that break new ground, shift opinions, and set agendas on public policy, with a focus on advancing debates by integrating foundational research and analysis with concrete policy solutions.

Lithuania’s policy on China: An unlikely EU trailblazer

Report Mar 30, 2026

How the West lost the post-Cold War era

By Brian Whitmore

The latest Atlantic Council Eurasia Center report examines the lessons from the post-Cold War period and what the United States and its allies can do to counter Russian revanchism today.
Europe & Eurasia Politics & Diplomacy
Lithuania’s policy on China: An unlikely EU trailblazer

Atlantic Council Strategy Paper Series Feb 10, 2026

Global Foresight 2036

In this year’s Global Foresight edition, our experts share findings from our survey of geostrategists on how human affairs could unfold over the next decade. Our scholars spot “snow leopards” that could have major unexpected impacts over the next decade. And our tech experts put AI’s forecasting ability to the test.
Africa Central Asia
Lithuania’s policy on China: An unlikely EU trailblazer

Issue Brief Mar 19, 2026

Federal agencies under pressure need smarter systems, not tougher people

By Caitlin Thompson

Resilience is an important trait for national security practitioners, but it is not a solution for problems with agency and department design. Better systems and strategies can ensure that individuals are fully prepared and ready to respond to crises, rather than consistently under strain.
National Security Resilience

Content

Report

Nov 10, 2025

Lithuania’s policy on China: An unlikely EU trailblazer

By Valbona Zeneli

Lithuania’s defiance of Chinese pressure has made it a policy innovator in the EU, showing how a small state can strengthen collective resilience. Its firm stance on Taiwan and push for European unity have anchored the EU’s shift toward de-risking and closer transatlantic coordination.

China Economy & Business

Report

Nov 10, 2025

How Europe deals with China in trade, technology, and security

By Valbona Zeneli

The EU’s approach to China is increasingly converging around “de-risking,” though progress remains uneven. While powerful member states set the overall direction, smaller ones drive change—and outliers slow collective action. Whether the EU can turn this patchwork into a unified strategy will define its China policy in the years ahead.

China Economy & Business

Report

Nov 10, 2025

Greece’s policy on China: Debt-era deals and recalibration

By Valbona Zeneli

From the port of Piraeus to Brussels, Greece’s China policy has evolved from enthusiastic engagement and post-crisis dependency to strategic caution. Today, Athens's is balancing economic pragmatism with transatlantic security commitments.

China Economy & Business

Report

Nov 10, 2025

Recommendations for coordinating US-EU policy

By Zoltán Fehér, Valbona Zeneli

To effectively counter China, the United States should prioritize closer coordination with the EU in key areas: economic security, supply chains, anti-coercion, and strategic investment. Joint efforts on trade and investment, technology, and security will be crucial to ensure aligned US-EU action.

China Economy & Business

Report

Nov 10, 2025

Italy’s policy on China: The Belt and Road gamble and its aftermath

By Valbona Zeneli

From the Silk Road to the Belt and Road Initiative, Italy’s relationship with China has shifted from early enthusiasm to cautious recalibration. Once Europe’s gateway for Beijing’s ambitions, Rome now frames its China policy around transatlantic solidarity, balancing economic opportunity with strategic prudence.

China Economy & Business

Issue Brief

Nov 4, 2025

A next-generation agenda: South Korea-US-Australia security cooperation

By Lauren D. Gilbert, Kester Abbott, Hannah Heewon Seo

Growing collaboration and cooperation between the United States, South Korea, and Australia could be key to maintaining security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. The Atlantic Council and the Korea Foundation gathered rising experts from the United States, South Korea, and Australia to identify obstacles to that cooperation and opportunities to overcome them.

Australia Defense Industry

Issue Brief

Oct 30, 2025

Forging North America’s energy advantage: Mexico’s pivotal role

By Juan José Gómez-Camacho and Liliana Diaz

With its expanding natural gas sector, export capacity, and more, Mexico can strengthen North America’s energy resilience and competitiveness.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

Issue Brief

Oct 29, 2025

Democracy at a crossroads: Rule of law and the case for US engagement in the Balkans

By Stephen Nix and Megan Tamisiea

This issue brief is the third in the Freedom and Prosperity Center's "Future of democracy assistance" series, which analyzes the many complex challenges to democracy around the world—and highlights actionable policies that promote democratic governance.

Democratic Transitions Elections

Report

Oct 27, 2025

Authoritarian reach and democratic response: A tactical framework to counter and prevent transnational repression

By Marcus Kolga, Sze-Fung Lee, Iria Puyosa, Kenton Thibaut, and Lisandra Novo

When foreign governments conduct surveillance, intimidation, or enforcement actions—including through the exercise of extraterritorial police power by authoritarian regimes inside the nations they target—they undermine state sovereignty and threaten to erode public trust in institutions, representing a significant national security threat.  

Digital Policy

Russia Tomorrow

Oct 23, 2025

The CRINK: Inside the new bloc supporting Russia’s war against Ukraine

By Angela Stent

The latest report in the Atlantic Council's Russia Tomorrow series details how Russia’s war against Ukraine has brought together a new set of partners--united not by shared values, but by shared grievances--on the international stage: China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.

China Europe & Eurasia
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