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 7, 2026

Kroenig interviewed in the New Yorker on military action in Venezuela

By Atlantic Council

On January 7, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was interviewed in The New Yorker on the ousting of Nicolás Maduro. He contends that in using military force, President Trump showed that US threats are credible, and draws a distinction between targeted, limited uses of military might and long-term wars.

Americas Latin America

In the News

Jan 7, 2026

Gray in National Interest on US Indo-Pacific strategy

By Atlantic Council

On January 7, Alexander B. Gray, a GeoStrategy Initiative nonresident senior fellow, wrote an article in National Interest titled "How the UK Is Undermining US Indo-Pacific Security," discussing the UK transfer sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius.

Indo-Pacific Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Jan 7, 2026

Bayoumi quoted in BBC on future of Greenland

By Atlantic Council

On January 7, Imran Bayoumi, associate director of the GeoStrategy Initiative, was quoted in a BBC article titled "How could Donald Trump 'take' Greenland?" discussing avenues for increased US engagement with Greenland. He contends that, rather than military action, an influence operation encouraging Greenlandic independence followed by close collaboration with the United States is more likely.

Americas Northern Europe

In the News

Jan 7, 2026

Kroenig on DW News on US oil tanker seizures in the Caribbean

By Atlantic Council

On January 7, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was interviewed on DW-TV about the US seizure of a Russian flagged oil tanker carrying Venezuelan oil. He contends that the move signaled US resolve in quarantining the Venezuelan regime and adopting a firmer approach toward Russia in the Western hemisphere.

Americas Latin America

In the News

Jan 7, 2026

Wieslander on Swedish radio

Anna Wieslander, Director for Northern Europe, appeared twice on Swedish radio on Wednesday, January 7th, to comment on the Trump Administration’s threats to take over Greenland and the implications for the future of NATO. “The situation is very serious, and without a negotiated path forward, the future of defense cooperation within NATO is at risk”, […]

Northern Europe Security & Defense

In the News

Jan 7, 2026

Wieslander on Swedish TV

On Wednesday January 7th, Anna Wieslander, Director for Northern Europe, appeared on Swedish news program “Aktuellt” to give her thoughts on the United States’ shifting foreign policy priorities and their consequences for Europe.

Northern Europe Security & Defense

In the News

Jan 7, 2026

Kroenig interviewed on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation on Trump’s foreign policy

By Atlantic Council

On January 7, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was interviewed on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation on recent developments in US foreign policy. He explains that Trump's threats of military action in Greenland are a negotiating tactic, defends the decision to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, and argues that the administration will shift its focus to Cuba and its collaboration with the People's Republic of China next.

Americas Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Jan 6, 2026

Gray interviewed on RealClearPolitics podcast on Venezuela and Greenland

By Atlantic Council

On January 6, Alexander B. Gray, a GeoStrategy Initiative nonresident senior fellow, was interviewed on RealClearPolitics podcast about the futures of Venezuela and Greenland. He explains that, due to historical precedent and divisions within opposition groups, Venezuela will likely require a transitional government before elections take place. He also argues that as the Arctic emerges as a key strategic region, closer collaboration with Greenland is essential to US security interests.

Americas NATO

In the News

Jan 6, 2026

Kroenig featured in the New York Times on ousting Maduro

By Atlantic Council

On January 6, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig wrote an article in the New York Times titled "Trump Was Right to Oust Maduro." He argues that Maduro threatened vital US security interests, and that his removal from power creates opportunity for better governance in Venezuela.

Politics & Diplomacy Security & Defense

In the News

Jan 5, 2026

Gray interviewed on Times Radio on the Trump administration’s foreign policy

By Atlantic Council

On January 5, Alexander B. Gray, a GeoStrategy Initiative nonresident senior fellow, was interviewed on Times Radio about the Trump administration's foreign policy. He explains that the Trump administration is prioritizing hemispheric defense, and, in the long term, deems European nations strong enough to confront a declining Russia.

Americas Europe & Eurasia