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

UkraineAlert

Oct 31, 2025

Europe finally moves to ban Russian gas but potential loopholes remain

By Aura Sabadus

The EU has recently moved to impose a full ban on Russian gas imports by 2028. After years of using energy exports to blackmail Europe and fund the invasion of Ukraine, Moscow is finally facing the loss of its last European costumers, writes Aura Sabadus.

Conflict Economic Sanctions

AfricaSource

Oct 31, 2025

Mali has not just plunged into crisis. It has been unraveling for years.

By Rama Yade and Hussein Ba

Mali’s crisis runs deeper than recent coups. Military fragmentation, jihadist expansion, and severed international ties have left the landlocked nation isolated, economically strained, and socially fractured.

Africa Crisis Management

MENASource

Oct 31, 2025

Inside the divides of Iraq’s Coordination Framework—and why they matter ahead of landmark elections 

By Rend Al-Rahim

The November election will not necessarily determine who the next prime minister will be, but it will provide an opportunity to shift power dynamics within the fractious Shia bloc.

Elections Iraq
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Latest in-depth research and reports

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
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Content

In the News

Aug 27, 2025

Hammer featured in the Albuquerque Journal on quantum technology

By Atlantic Council

On August 25, Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Adam Hammer authored an article in the Albuquerque Journal, titled “A New Day for Quantum in New Mexico,” celebrating recent momentum in the state’s quantum sector.

Defense Industry Defense Technologies

In the News

Aug 27, 2025

Donovan cited in AInvest on using sanctions to create leverage in negotiations with Russia

Read the full article here

In the News

Aug 27, 2025

Chemali interviewed on Bloomberg’s Balance of Power on US government plans for an end to the war in Gaza

Watch the full segment here

In the News

Aug 25, 2025

Charai in National Interest: Iran Doesn’t Cease Fire. It Reloads.

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Defense Policy

In the News

Aug 23, 2025

Wieslander interviewed on Times Radio

Director for Northern Europe, Anna Wieslander gave her assessment of the Russia-Ukraine negotiations after the Alaska and White House-summit in a longer interview in “Superpowers” by Times Radio, August 22. Wieslander comments on the three main dimensions of the peace talks, how the Europeans leaders succeeded in increasing leverage for Ukraine at the White House […]

National Security NATO

In the News

Aug 22, 2025

Daniels discusses China’s AI strategy on the China Power Podcast

By Atlantic Council

On August 19, Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Owen Daniels was featured on Episode 108 of the German Marshal Fund's China Power Podcast.

Artificial Intelligence China

In the News

Aug 22, 2025

Daniels examines China’s AI soft power strategy in War on the Rocks

By Atlantic Council

On August 14, Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Owen Daniels published an article, "China’s Soft Power Tools and Whether They Work," in War on the Rocks.

Artificial Intelligence China

In the News

Aug 22, 2025

Kumar cited in AInvest on the acceleration of CBDC and stablecoin initiatives globally

Read the full article here

In the News

Aug 21, 2025

Chemali interviewed on MSNBC to discuss the state of play following the White House Ukraine summit

Watch the full interview here.

Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

In the News

Aug 21, 2025

Lichfield quoted in Bloomberg on takeaways from the Trump Alaska summit

Read the full article here.

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