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.

The security of cities: ecology and conflict on an urbanizing planet

Russia Tomorrow Feb 18, 2026

Negotiating with Putin’s Russia

By Donald N. Jensen, Iuliia Osmolovska

The latest report in the Atlantic Council’s Russia Tomorrow examines Russia’s negotiating tactics and how the US can adjust its diplomatic strategies in turn.
Disinformation Eastern Europe
The security of cities: ecology and conflict on an urbanizing planet

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
The security of cities: ecology and conflict on an urbanizing planet

In-Depth Research & Reports Feb 26, 2026

The state of great power competition in the Gulf

By Jonathan Fulton

This issue brief examines Gulf states’ strategic positioning amid shifting global power dynamics, the opportunities and challenges of great power competition, and regional efforts toward de-escalation and development.
Economy & Business Energy & Environment

Content

Report

Nov 18, 2013

The security of cities: ecology and conflict on an urbanizing planet

By Peter Engelke

A new report issued jointly by the Atlantic Council and the Stimson Center, The Security of Cities: Ecology and Conflict on an Urbanizing Planet, argues that the environmental security field has yet to incorporate global urbanization, the twenty-first century’s central demographic trend, fully into its purview.

Energy & Environment National Security

External

Nov 15, 2013

IntelBrief: Barclays and the Somali Remittances Crisis

By Amy Calfas

Bottom Line Up Front Since 2011, Somalia has struggled to maintain one of its most important revenue streams—remittances from Somalis in the diaspora—as one Western bank after another cuts financial ties with the country. Inadequate regulatory regimes have made money transfer organizations vulnerable to exploitation by terrorist groups, and financial institutions doing business with Somalia […]

Somalia

Issue Brief

Nov 12, 2013

Morocco’s Vital Role in Northwest Africa’s Security and Development

By J. Peter Pham

In the Africa Center’s most recent issue brief, “Morocco’s Vital Role in Northwest Africa’s Security and Development,” Director J. Peter Pham outlines the country’s increasing reengagement with Africa and its emergence as a key political, security, and economic actor integral to the continent’s future. He argues that Morocco’s willingness to shoulder the challenges in the […]

Issue Brief

Nov 8, 2013

Resolving regional sources of instability

By Fatemeh Aman and Barbara Slavin

Iran, Afghanistan, and South Asia While attention focuses on US nuclear talks with Iran, an improved US-Iran relationship could have major benefits for another US priority: shoring up stability in Afghanistan during the 2014 withdrawal of most US and NATO forces. A new South Asia Center issue brief by Fatemeh Aman and Barbara Slavin, “Iran, […]

Afghanistan Iran

Issue Brief

Oct 31, 2013

Global trends and the future of NATO: alliance security in an era of global competition

By Barry Pavel and Magnus Nordenman

The latest issue brief by Barry Pavel, Atlantic Council VP and director of the Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security, and Magnus Nordenman, Brent Scowcroft Center deputy director, argues that global shifts in economic and military power, demographics, resource demand, and other critical megatrends will require NATO to overhaul its long-term strategy for the future. […]

Europe & Eurasia NATO

External

Oct 30, 2013

IntelBrief: South African Peacekeeping – Punching Below Its Weight

By Bronwyn Bruton and Sam Fishman

Bottom Line Up Front South Africa, one Africa’s more successful democracies and its largest economy, has mostly resisted Western pressure to intervene in other nations’ conflicts President Zuma has shown some enthusiasm for foreign engagement, but has been stymied by the poor condition of South Africa’s undersized and under-resourced military, with limited capability to project […]

Issue Brief

Oct 29, 2013

A Transatlantic Perspective on Natural Gas Security in Central and Southeastern Europe

By David Koranyi

The latest Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center issue brief, “A Transatlantic Perspective on Natural Gas Security in Central and Southeastern Europe,” by Deputy Director David Koranyi, argues that the fundamentals of the natural gas sectors of the United States and European Union (EU) are on divergent paths. Download PDF

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

External

Oct 25, 2013

IntelBrief: West African Piracy

By J. Peter Pham

Bottom Line Up Front Gulf of Guinea piracy remains a persistent, potential danger, with significance for commercial shipping and local economic development The lucrative take from theft of cargo, fuel oil, and crew and vessel ransom drive the motivation of the criminal networks Frequent, local ‘seaway robbery’ and sale of stolen crude on the oil […]

North & West Africa

External

Oct 17, 2013

IntelBrief: Somalia – The Problem with Proxies

By Bronwyn Bruton

In the latest in the series of “IntelBriefs” on African security issues being produced by the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center in partnership with the Soufan Group, an international strategic consultancy, Africa Center Deputy Director Bronwyn Bruton argues that the US support of proxy forces in the conflict in Somalia has failed to achieve a number […]

Issue Brief

Oct 8, 2013

Cross-border Electricity Exchanges: Bolstering Economic Growth in the South Caucasus and Turkey

By Nino Ghvinadze and Laura Linderman

The latest Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center issue brief, “Cross-border Electricity Exchanges: Bolstering Economic Growth in the South Caucasus and Turkey,” by Nino Ghvinadze and Laura Linderman, explores opportunities for expanding electricity trade in the South Caucasus and Turkey. This brief has been prepared in the context of the Atlantic Council’s Eurasian Energy Futures Initiative. Download PDF

Energy & Environment The Caucasus
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