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.

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

Explore the podcast series

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.

Latest commentary and analysis

Latest in-depth research and reports


Issue Brief

Aug 20, 2025

Why the rule of law is the key to prosperity: Lessons from thirty years of data 

By
Annie (Yu-Lin) Lee, Joseph Lemoine

Thirty years of global data point to one conclusion: the rule of law is the most important driver of prosperity. Strong legal systems foster trust, investment, and stability. Where laws are predictable and applied equally, societies thrive; where they weaken, reforms falter and prosperity stalls.

Africa
Freedom and Prosperity


Issue Brief

Aug 19, 2025

A vision for US hypersonic weapons

By
Edward Brady and Michael E. White

Hypersonic weapons, if fielded in sufficient numbers to defeat critical targets necessary to degrade adversary capabilities, will enable effective use of traditional weapon systems and allow for future battlefield dominance. A layered defeat construct must be deployed to defend against ballistic and hypersonic missiles targeting US assets.

China
Defense Industry


Issue Brief

Aug 15, 2025

The future of US and Japanese engagement with Central Asia

By
Kyoko Imai

Situated between China and Russia, and with an abundance of vital natural resources, Central Asia is an area of strategic interest for Tokyo and Washington. Beijing and Moscow currently enjoy overwhelming political, economic, and cultural influence, which limits other countries’ ability to constructively shape the region. Some friction has emerged between the two authoritarian powers as post-Soviet dominance over Central Asia erodes and Chinese economic influence takes its place.

Central Asia
China

Content

In the News

Aug 7, 2017

Itani Quoted in The National on Saudi Arabian Opposition to the Assad Regime in Syria

By Faysal Itani

Read the full article here.

Saudi Arabia Syria

In the News

Aug 7, 2017

Stein Quoted in Military Times on Kurdish Fighters in Turkey

By Aaron Stein

Read the full article here.

Turkey

In the News

Aug 7, 2017

Braw in Foreign Affairs: Athens Is Spending Far Too Much on Its Armed Forces

By Elisabeth Braw

Read the full article here.

Greece

In the News

Aug 6, 2017

Itani Quoted in Voice of America on Lebanon and Hezbollah

By Faysal Itani

Read the full article here.

Middle East

In the News

Aug 5, 2017

Ellinas in Cyprus Weekly: Floating Gas Terminal Could Be Ideal For Cyprus

By Charles Ellinas

Read the full article here.

Southern & Southeastern Europe

In the News

Aug 4, 2017

Woods Quoted in HelpNet Security on WannaCry Researcher Arrest

By Beau Woods

Read the full article here.

In the News

Aug 4, 2017

Fried Joins CSIS Podcast to Discuss America’s Role in the World

By Daniel Fried

Listen to the full interview here.

Russia

In the News

Aug 3, 2017

Alfoneh in Middle East Institute: Iran-Backed Popular Mobilization Forces Preparing for Post-Islamic State Iraq

By Ali Alfoneh

Read the full article here.

Iran Iraq

In the News

Aug 3, 2017

Braw Joins Forces Network to Discuss PhD Programs for Military Officers

By Elisabeth Braw

Listen to the full broadcast here.

In the News

Aug 3, 2017

Handjani Quoted in The Washington Post on US Action Towards The Iran Deal

By Amir Handjani

Read the full article here.

Iran