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

UkraineAlert

Nov 12, 2026

Putin’s chief negotiator vows to return ‘every inch of Russian land’ in Ukraine

By Peter Dickinson

The Kremlin’s uncompromising approach to negotiations with Ukraine was summed up by Russian delegation head Vladimir Medinsky's comment that “every inch of Russian land will be returned to Russia, one way or another,” writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict Disinformation

UkraineAlert

Nov 12, 2026

Moldova cuts energy dependency on Russia with landmark new power line

By Aura Sabadus

Five years after Russia tried to bring Moldova to its knees through energy pressure, a landmark new power line has removed one of Moscow’s last remaining levers over the country, writes Aura Sabadus.

Conflict Critical Infrastructure Policy

Econographics

Nov 12, 2026

The digital yuan is only part of China’s expanding global payments network

By Alisha Chhangani

Beijing is building multiple layers of financial infrastructure to engage more partners and expand the reach of its renminbi.

China Digital Currencies
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Latest in-depth research and reports

Report

Nov 12, 2026

Seeking the source: Biological attribution from anthrax to AI

By the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense at Atlantic Council

Attribution can be imprecise, since it oftentimes relies on a combination of science, intelligence, and investigatory evidence.

National Security

Issue Brief

Nov 10, 2026

Materials matter: Managing critical commodities for the next-generation energy economy

By Reed Blakemore, Alexis Harmon

As economies electrify, demand will grow for materials such as copper, steel, and durable plastics that underpin the energy system. Managing these materials' supply risks will be crucial to the new energy economy.

Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security

Report

Nov 10, 2026

Water infrastructure at the Mediterranean’s inflection point: Financing resilience for an industrializing, digitalizing region

By Hassan Tolba Aboelnga

Increasing demand, driven by industrialization and digital infrastructure, requires a region-wide rethinking of water planning and financing mechanisms.

Climate Change & Climate Action Egypt
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Content

In the News

Sep 18, 2019

Slavin quoted in NPR on Saudi oil attack and Trump Administration

By Atlantic Council

Energy & Environment Middle East

In the News

Sep 18, 2019

Slavin quoted in NPR on attacks on Saudi oil field

By Atlantic Council

Energy & Environment Middle East

In the News

Sep 18, 2019

Cohen joins Bloomberg to discuss surgical strikes and Iran

By Atlantic Council

Energy & Environment Iran

In the News

Sep 18, 2019

Cohen joins Al Jazeera to discuss the Abqaiq-Khurais attacks and oil price volatility

By Atlantic Council

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

In the News

Sep 18, 2019

Cohen in Newsweek: Donald’s Dilemma: Can He Retaliate to Attack on Saudi Oil Fields Without Starting a War with Iran?

By Atlantic Council

Geopolitics & Energy Security Iran

In the News

Sep 18, 2019

Fontenrose joins BBC to discuss Saudi oil attack

By Atlantic Council

Energy & Environment Iran

In the News

Sep 18, 2019

Cohen joins Bloomberg to discuss escalation with Iran, and impact to energy markets

By Atlantic Council

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

In the News

Sep 18, 2019

Ullman in UPI: ‘Call Sign Chaos’: Gen. James Mattis’ new book is a must-read

By Harlan Ullman

Security & Defense United States and Canada

In the News

Sep 18, 2019

Slavin in The American Conservative: Iran and the Poisonous Fruits of ‘Maximum Pressure’

By Atlantic Council

Iran Middle East

Program Impact Story

Sep 18, 2019

Private Roundtable with First Lady of Côte d’Ivoire

By Atlantic Council

On Wednesday, September 18, the Africa Center hosted a private roundtable with H.E. Dominique Ouattara, first lady of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire. In her remarks, Madame Ouattara discussed progress and obstacles to eliminating child labor in Côte d’Ivoire, addressing recent calls from Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) to put an embargo […]

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