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.

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

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

Mar 20, 2026

Aquatic Tiger: How long-range submarine drones could play a role in a Taiwan conflict

By Markus Garlauskas with contributions from Drew Holliday, Adam Kozloski, Nicholas Takeuchi, and Paul Vebber

Could submarine drones help the United States deter or counter a Chinese attack on Taiwan? The Aquatic Tiger wargame was designed to find out. The Atlantic Council's Indo-Pacific Security Initiative reports on the wargame's findings, with implications for the US government, the defense industry, and more. 

Conflict Defense Technologies

Issue Brief

Mar 19, 2026

Federal agencies under pressure need smarter systems, not tougher people

By Caitlin Thompson

Resilience is an important trait for national security practitioners, but it is not a solution for problems with agency and department design. Better systems and strategies can ensure that individuals are fully prepared and ready to respond to crises, rather than consistently under strain.

National Security Resilience

Freedom and Prosperity Around the World

Mar 18, 2026

Italy faces a dangerous gap between stability on paper and citizens’ lived experience

By Massimo Morelli

Giorgia Meloni’s three-year tenure as prime minister is unusually long by recent Italian standards. As her government faces its biggest test yet with a referendum on judicial reforms, what explains Meloni’s relative stability—and the frequent turnover that preceded it? A deep dive into economic and political indicators sheds light on Italy’s path forward.

Elections Fiscal and Structural Reform

Content

In the News

Jan 10, 2026

Bayoumi quoted in AP News on the US lack of Arctic strategy

By Atlantic Council

On January 10, Imran Bayoumi, associate director of the GeoStrategy Initiative, was quoted in an Associated Press article titled "How the US could take over Greenland and the potential challenges," arguing that Trump's threats against Greenland reflect broader US failures to prioritize Arctic strategy.

Northern Europe Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Jan 9, 2026

Guenov on Times Radio about how Venezuela impacts the US-Russia relationship

By Atlantic Council

On January 9, Tressa Guenov, director of operations and programs and senior fellow at the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security was interviewed on Times Radio about the US-Russia relationship. She argues that though the Trump National Security Strategy does not name Russia as an adversary, oil tanker seizures demonstrate a harder line from the US against Russia in the Western hemisphere.

Politics & Diplomacy Russia

In the News

Jan 9, 2026

Gray in The Wall Street Journal on the Donroe doctrine in Greenland

By Atlantic Council

On January 9, Alexander B. Gray, a GeoStrategy Initiative nonresident senior fellow, published an article in The Wall Street Journal titled "A Defense of the Donroe Doctrine in Greenland."

NATO Northern Europe

In the News

Jan 9, 2026

Bayoumi interviewed on CBC News on Canada’s Arctic strategy

By Atlantic Council

On January 9, Imran Bayoumi, associate director of the GeoStrategy Initiative, was interviewed on CBC News arguing that investments in Arctic capabilities will best position Canada for partnership with the US amidst threats to Greenland.

Security & Defense United States and Canada

In the News

Jan 8, 2026

Economic Statecraft Initiatives Global Sanctions Dashboard cited in an ANU law report on the Wagner Group’s revenue

Read the full article here

In the News

Jan 8, 2026

CBDC tracker cited in a report by UK Finance on global development of central bank digital currencies in 2025

Read the full report

In the News

Jan 8, 2026

Bayoumi in Foreign Policy on Trump’s lack of Arctic strategy

By Atlantic Council

On January 8, Imran Bayoumi, associate director of the GeoStrategy Initiative, published an article in Foreign Policy titled "Trump’s Greenland Threats Paper Over a Lack of Arctic Strategy," arguing that instead of threatening Greenland, the US should work to increase Arctic security burden sharing.

Northern Europe Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Jan 8, 2026

Donovan and Nikoladze’s piece on gold’s geopolitical comeback cited in FX Street on global de-dollarization as concerns over US sanctions risk and financial instability are driving central banks to accumulate gold at record levels

Read the full article here

In the News

Jan 8, 2026

Connor quoted in The Wall Street Journal on how US sanctions do not prohibit personal remittances to non-sanctioned Venezuelan households, allowing informal payment channels to continue operating

Read the full article here

In the News

Jan 8, 2026

Bayoumi quoted in CBC News on Trump’s approach to Greenland

By Atlantic Council

On January 8, Imran Bayoumi, associate director of the GeoStrategy Initiative, was quoted in a CBC News article titled "With Trump's Venezuela move and Greenland threats, are Canadians vulnerable?" discussing Trump's renewed focus on the Western hemisphere. He argues that US threats of military action against Greenland are unproductive, urging for bolstered cooperation without threats.

NATO Northern Europe