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.

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Featured content

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

EnergySource

Apr 8, 2026

The Hormuz crisis is making low-carbon energy strategies more expensive

By Alvin Camba

Shortages of sulfur, which is derived from oil and gas and is a key element for low-carbon energy technologies, has short- and long-term implications for renewable energy and energy security.

Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security

Event Recap

Apr 8, 2026

Ajay Banga on responding to this economic crisis: ‘Focus on policies’ that ‘create jobs’

By Katherine Golden

At an AC Front Page event, Banga cautioned countries to "be careful" not to “put your country into an even bigger problem downstream" while responding to the Iran war.

Economy & Business Inclusive Growth

Podcast

Apr 8, 2026

What’s behind Tehran’s tollbooth?

By the GeoEconomics Center

Last month, Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz. Now, reports are emerging that it is charging some tankers massive fees to transit. But how exactly does Tehran's "tollbooth" operate?

Economy & Business Energy & Environment
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Latest in-depth research and reports

Report

Apr 8, 2026

Making aid work in the new geopolitical era will be an uphill battle

By Stefan Dercon

Development aid requires local political commitment, careful project selection, and long-term focus, or it can worsen the problems it seeks to solve. When aid becomes a pawn of geopolitical competition, those conditions for effective aid become more elusive.

Economy & Business Freedom and Prosperity

Issue Brief

Apr 7, 2026

Fusion on paper or in practice? Making the cloud work for ISR and NATO

By Martin Zuber, Trey Herr

NATO’s eastern flank is under persistent pressure across multiple domains. The Alliance's core challenge is not sensing capacity

Defense Technologies NATO

Issue Brief

Apr 6, 2026

From alignment to action: Building a durable US-Argentina critical minerals partnership

By Reed Blakemore, Alexis Harmon, Ignacio Albe

For decades, Argentina's mining potential has been widely recognized without translating into reliable supply. That pattern might be breaking, and deeper US–Argentina cooperation could accelerate development while advancing shared economic and strategic priorities.

Argentina Critical Minerals
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Content

In the News

Nov 3, 2016

Reuters cites DFRLab article on Russian emails

By Atlantic Council

Reuters cites a Medium article by the DFRLab analyzing the authenticity of leaked emails between top Russian advisors and Ukrainian separatists.

Conflict Disinformation

In the News

Nov 3, 2016

McGrath Quoted by Foreign Policy on South Africa’s Democratic Resilience

By Chloe McGrath

Read the full article here.

South Africa

In the News

Nov 3, 2016

Hellyer Quoted by Christian Science Monitor on Egypt’s “Breaking Point”

By H.A. Hellyer

Read the full article here.

In the News

Nov 3, 2016

Mardini Quoted by New York Times on the Future of Mosul

By Ramzy Mardini

Read the full article here.

Iraq

In the News

Nov 3, 2016

Ullman in Daily Times: Putin on Halloween: A Case of Shock and Awe

By Harlan Ullman

Read the full article here.

Russia

In the News

Nov 2, 2016

Handjani in Bloomberg: Saudi Arabia’s Bond Success Hides It’s Financial Peril

By Amir Handjani

Read the full article here.

Saudi Arabia

In the News

Nov 2, 2016

Marczak Quoted by CNBC on the Economic and Humanitarian Situation in Venezuela

By Jason Marczak

Read the full article here.

Venezuela

In the News

Nov 1, 2016

International Business Times Features Atlantic Council Report Enhancing the US-Swedish Defense Relationsip

By Magnus Nordenman

Read the full article here.

Northern Europe

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Nov 1, 2016

Brooks in Modern War Institute: Women in War, Lessons from History

By Max Brooks

Read the full article here.

Security & Defense Women

In the News

Nov 1, 2016

Alami in The New Arab: Aoun’s Agenda Spells Surprising New Alliances in Lebanon

By Mona Alami

Read the full article here.

Middle East
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