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 5, 2026

Kroenig quoted in Politico on US policy in Venezuela

By Atlantic Council

On January 5, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was quoted in Politico's "National Security Daily" on the Trump administration's Venezuela policy. He explains that administration's ambiguity is intentional and aimed at preventing fractures within the Republican party.

National Security Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Jan 5, 2026

Charai for The Jerusalem Strategic Tribune: The Iranian People Will Not Be Silenced

By Atlantic Council

Iran Middle East

In the News

Jan 5, 2026

Ellwood in Express on restoring National Service

By Atlantic Council

On January 4, GeoStrategy Initiative distinguished fellow Tobias Ellwood authored an opinion piece in Express titled "The UK is woefully underprepared for global war – we must bring back National Service." He explains that the United Kingdom has grown complacent and argues that restoring mandatory national service is essential amid intensifying strategic competition.

Defense Policy Security & Defense

In the News

Jan 5, 2026

Kroenig quoted in Wall Street Journal on US operation in Venezuela

By Atlantic Council

On January 4, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was quoted in a Wall Street Journal article titled "A New Trump Game Plan Takes Shape: Strike and Coerce." He evokes the Maduro regime's ties to US adversaries and affirms the US military's ability to operate in multiple theatres.

Defense Policy Security & Defense

In the News

Jan 5, 2026

Kroenig quoted in Politico on the Trump administration’s Venezuela policy

By Atlantic Council

On January 3, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was quoted in a Politico article titled "The hawks are winning." He argues that widespread support for military action in Venezuela was driven less by policy conviction than by an awareness of internal power dynamics, with officials mindful of where influence resides within the White House.

Defense Policy Security & Defense

In the News

Jan 5, 2026

Kroenig in C-SPAN on foreign policy in 2026

By Atlantic Council

On January 2, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was interviewed on C-SPAN's "Washington Journal" about foreign policy challenges for 2026. He analyzes threats from the People's Republic of China, speaks about protests in Iran, and discusses the Trump administration's National Security Strategy.

China Iran

In the News

Jan 5, 2026

Global China Hub report featured in CNA

By Kitsch Liao, Nik Foster, Santiago Villa

On December 16th, 2025, a report by Global China Hub Associate Director Kitsch Liao and nonresident fellows Nik Foster and Santiago Villa was featured in CNA.

China Economy & Business

In the News

Jan 5, 2026

Kitsch Liao on Al Jazeera

By Kitsch Liao

On December 18th, 2025, Global China Hub Associate Director Kitsch Liao spoke to Al Jazeera about Taiwan’s $1.11 billion arms purchase.

China Defense Industry

In the News

Jan 5, 2026

Caroline Costello in the China in Africa Podcast

By Caroline Costello

On December 19th, 2025, Global China Hub Assistant Director Caroline Costello appeared on the China in Africa Podcast to discuss China’s outsized role in West Africa’s illegal resource trade.

China Climate Change & Climate Action

In the News

Jan 5, 2026

Caroline Costello in the New York Times

By Caroline Costello

On December 12th, 2025, Global China Hub Assistant Director Caroline Costello spoke to the New York Times about what the Trump Administration’s National Security Strategy means for the values-based dimension of US-China competition.

China Economy & Business