Insights and impact

About the Council

The Atlantic Council promotes constructive leadership and engagement in international affairs based on the Atlantic Community’s central role in meeting global challenges. The Council provides an essential forum for navigating the dramatic economic and political changes defining the twenty-first century by informing and galvanizing its uniquely influential network of global leaders. Through the papers we write, the ideas we generate, and the communities we build, the Council shapes policy choices and strategies to create a more secure and prosperous world.

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Featured content

NATO 20/2020

Twenty bold ideas to reimagine the Alliance after the 2020 US election

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. The essays in this volume are intended to push the Alliance to think boldly and creatively in the service of recapturing the public’s imagination.

Read our provocative essays on the future of NATO

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Explore the podcast series

NATO 20/2020 Podcast

NATO 20/2020 is a weekly podcast that explores 20 bold ideas to push NATO to be more visionary, more capable, and more self-evidently valuable to the security of more people.

Making a difference

Learn more about the Atlantic Council’s insights & impact through these stories of how our regional and thematic programs are making a difference not only in shaping how we view global issues but also in shaping their outcome.

Artwork by Peter Kuper

In the News

Dec 17, 2020

The Adrienne Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center partners with LEADERS Magazine to dedicate an entire issue to resilience

For its Fall/Winter issue of 2020, LEADERS Magazine, asked the Adrienne Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center to produce an issue dedicated to resilience. The Resilience Issue assembles a broad range of global thought leaders and experts who are currently tackling the challenges and crises facing the world from different perspectives.

Insights & Impact

Mar 3, 2020

Peering Around the Corner: The Geopolitics of Coronavirus

By Atlantic Council

On February 11, 2020 the DFRLab hosted "Peering Around the Corner: The Geopolitics of Coronavirus," a timely series of panels on the potential geopolitical and economic consequences of Coronavirus, and how misinformation about the crisis may influence its impact.

China Disinformation

Program Impact Story

Feb 6, 2020

US energy priorities abroad: A conversation with US Secretary of Energy Dan Brouillette

By Global Energy Center

On Friday, February 7, 2020, the Atlantic Council hosted newly appointed US Secretary of Energy Dan Brouillette for a public address and moderated discussion about US government energy priorities abroad.

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Latest commentary and analysis

Podcast

May 1, 2026

The IEA’s Fatih Birol on ‘the greatest energy security threat in history’

By The Atlantic Council

The war in Iran continues with no clear end in sight, fueling economic turbulence and concerns of a global energy crisis. International Energy Agency Executive Director Fatih Birol spoke at an AC Front Page event on April 13th, and argued the conflict is the greatest energy security threat in history. He warned that oil prices will soon “converge” with the on-the-ground reality, knocking the global economy further into disarray.

Economy & Business European Union

AfricaSource

May 1, 2026

What can save Mali from collapse?

By Hussein Ba and Rama Yade

The security situation in Mali is becoming critical in the wake of a large-scale, coordinated series of attacks across multiple cities on April 25.

Extremism North & West Africa

UkraineAlert

May 1, 2026

Europe needs Ukraine as it looks to counter growing Russian threat

By Zahar Hryniv

More than a year since Trump returned to the White House, it is clear that Europe needs to develop its own strategic vision for the continent’s defense. It is equally apparent that Ukraine must be central to this vision, writes Zahar Hryniv.

Conflict Defense Industry
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Latest in-depth research and reports

Issue Brief

Apr 30, 2026

How Colombia can reduce security threats ahead of its presidential election

By the US–Colombia Strategic Alignment Coalition

Though Colombia's recent legislative elections were largely peaceful, the security environment has worsened in recent weeks amid death threats against candidates and escalating violence by armed groups. The upcoming weeks present a narrow, but critical, window to reduce risks ahead of the May 31 presidential election.

Americas Civil Society

Issue Brief

Apr 29, 2026

Does liberal democracy drive inequalities?

By Yi Zhou

There has been much debate about the relationship between liberal democracy and social and economic inequality, but data shows that free societies remain more equal than their less free counterparts.

Freedom and Prosperity Inclusive Growth

Issue Brief

Apr 29, 2026

How information and communication technologies can empower women in Senegal

By Aminata Niang

Data and interview results show how information and communication technologies are empowering women in Senegal's informal economy.

Africa Freedom and Prosperity
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Content

In the News

May 29, 2020

Couch in RealClearDefense: The imperative of talent platforms, part I

By Atlantic Council

We must cultivate our current talent while ensuring investment in a comprehensive AI training package that ensures our future force is as agile, responsive, and as skilled as today.

Defense Policy Digital Policy

In the News

May 28, 2020

Robert Manning in Foreign Policy about US decision on Hong Kong

By Atlantic Council

China East Asia

In the News

May 28, 2020

Cohen in Forbes: Moscow sends combat jets, escalates involvement in oil-rich Libya
Libya Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

May 28, 2020

Francis in the Financial Post: Time to rein in social media — and Donald Trump

By Atlantic Council

Digital Policy Disinformation

In the News

May 28, 2020

Aman as a speaker at the Middle East Institute: Iran, Russia, Pakistan, and Afghanistan: Prospects and Potential Trajectories

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Economy & Business

In the News

May 28, 2020

How tech, data and geopolitics impact food

By Atlantic Council

On May 28, 2020, Ms. Daniella Taveau, Dr. Molly Jahn, and Dr. David Bray, Director of Atlantic Council's GeoTech Center, discussed how tech, data, and geopolitics impact food. The conversation focused on how these vulnerabilities have existed for sometime and how the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these issues, amplifying existing instabilities, inequities, and insecurities, and will continue to do so unless action is taken to address problems in the food system.

Coronavirus Economy & Business

In the News

May 27, 2020

Robert Manning quoted in CNN on the US strategy toward Hong Kong

By Atlantic Council

China East Asia

In the News

May 27, 2020

Riaz as a panelist at the UC Berkeley Institute for South Asia Studies: Vulnerable Populations and COVID-19: Bangladesh During a Global Pandemic

By Atlantic Council

Bangladesh Coronavirus

In the News

May 27, 2020

Pavel discusses COVID-19 and preparing for future crises on DefAero podcast

By Atlantic Council

Atlantic Council senior vice president and Scowcroft Center Director Barry Pavel discusses lessons learned from COVID-19 and necessary reforms to prepare for future crises on the DefAero Report Daily Podcast.

Coronavirus Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

May 27, 2020

Burlinghaus in The National UAE: Why blackouts are so common in Afghanistan
Afghanistan Energy & Environment
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