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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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 12, 2020

Dr. David Bray on leadership in crisis situations

By Atlantic Council

In a recent conversation with the team of OpenExo, Dr. David Bray, Director of the GeoTech Center, spoke on his expertise on government and popular response to crises, to offer guidance on how we as a society might leverage technology to emerge stronger from COVID-19. Citing his years of experience at the heart of teams in charge of anticipating and preventing crises, Dr. Bray explored the way that open societies in particular can take advantage of their strengths and identify threats before they come to fruition, without threatening individual liberties in the process. In order for this effort to succeed, though, Dr. Bray emphasized how intentional steps must be taken now to shape the future of data and society.

Cybersecurity Digital Policy

In the News

May 12, 2020

Nurkin writes article on DoD innovation for Defense iQ

By Atlantic Council

Atlantic Council Senior Fellow Tate Nurkin discusses the strengths and weaknesses of recent innovation efforts by the US Department of Defense.

Defense Industry Defense Policy

In the News

May 12, 2020

Jensen and Inglis write article on layered cyber deterrence in The Conversation

By Atlantic Council

After serving as senior research director for the US Cyberspace Solarium Commission, Atlantic Council Senior Fellow Benjamin Jensen discusses the essential elements of a layered cyber deterrence strategy.

Cybersecurity Resilience

In the News

May 12, 2020

Borghard in Lawfare: Cyber Command needs new acquisition authorities

By Atlantic Council

Erica writes about the benefits of creating an MFP funding category (MFP-13) for U.S. Cyber Command. More about our expert

Cybersecurity Political Reform

In the News

May 11, 2020

Hadley in the Washington Post: The next stimulus package can be used to help the US compete with China

By Atlantic Council

Atlantic Council Executive Vice Chair and former national security adviser Stephen J. Hadley argues in the Washington Post that the next stimulus package to mitigate the domestic economic impact of COVID-19 can also be used to counter China. Hadley and co-author Anja Manuel list several provisions that would help the United States compete effectively with […]

China Coronavirus

In the News

May 11, 2020

Younus in his podcast “Pakistonomy,” episode 17: What Can We Learn From Reko Diq?

By Atlantic Council

Economy & Business Pakistan

In the News

May 11, 2020

Linscott quoted in The Print on the loosening of US-India trade restrictions

By Atlantic Council

Economy & Business India

In the News

May 11, 2020

Nooruddin as a panelist at The Asian Leaders Council at UVA: Citizenship Amendment Bill Webinar

By Atlantic Council

Human Rights India

In the News

May 11, 2020

Klain in The National Interest: Putin Must Lead Russia’s Battle Against the Coronavirus

By Atlantic Council

Coronavirus Corruption

EnergySource

May 11, 2020

Increasing mutual dependence in Sino-Gulf relations is changing the strategic landscape

By Christian Le Miere

The conventional wisdom that the United States is the only viable partner for Gulf states is now being challenged by a new reality: the main importer of Gulf oil is now China. At the same time, China’s strategic goals increasingly encompass stability in the Middle East, while a more activist foreign policy under Xi Jinping ensures greater involvement in the security, as well as economic, discourse in the region.

China Energy & Environment
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