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.

Read our annual report
Learn more

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

Download PDF
Read the essays
sign up for more

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.

view all Program impact stories

Latest commentary and analysis

AfricaSource

Jun 24, 2026

Governments are still underestimating the power of sports

By
Rama Yade

Governments should harness the power of sports for their economic development strategies.


Africa

Civil Society


Econographics

Jun 24, 2026

As democracies grow old, it becomes harder to adopt sound economic policies

By
Martin Mühleisen

By slowing growth and tightening fiscal space, aging in democracies may contribute to an increase in political polarization.


Economy & Business

Fiscal and Structural Reform


UkraineAlert

Jun 23, 2026

Putin vowed to demilitarize Ukraine. Instead, he created a major military power.

By
Peter Dickinson

When Putin launched the full-scale invasion in 2022, he identified the “demilitarization” of Ukraine as one his two primary war aims. It is now clear that he has failed in the most spectacular fashion imaginable, writes Peter Dickinson.


Conflict

Defense Policy

View all commentary & analysis

Latest in-depth research and reports

Issue Brief

Jun 24, 2026

Harmonizing USMCA: Enhancing  customs to facilitate US-Mexico competitiveness  

By
the Binational Task Force on Economic Security and Competitiveness

With the 2026 USMCA review underway, negotiating authorities should focus on strengthening the mechanisms that promote trade facilitation: customs.


Economy & Business

Latin America


Issue Brief

Jun 24, 2026

Perspectives from the 2026 CEO Dialogue

By
Nour Dabboussi, Joze Pelayo, Manal Fatima, David Maloney, Khalid Azim

The Atlantic Council’s MENA Futures Lab hosted a group of more than thirty business leaders, academics, analysts from international organizations, and policymakers for the CEO Dialogue in the lead up to the World Governments Summit in Dubai. The insights shared there reflect trends in AI, supply chain resilience, and more.


Artificial Intelligence

Economy & Business


Report

Jun 23, 2026

Balancing openness and control: Cross-border health data and AI governance in China

By
Kenton Thibaut

In China, health data is no longer just a medical resource—it is a strategic asset at the center of AI competition.


Artificial Intelligence

China

View all In-depth Research & reports

Content

In the News

Dec 16, 2015

Slavin: Republicans Stress Threat of ISIS in Final Debate of 2015

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin writes for Voice of America on the ISIS discussion during the most recent Republican presidential debate:

In the News

Dec 16, 2015

Cunningham Testifies on Obama Administration’s Strategy in Afghanistan

By South Asia Center

Ambassador James B. Cunningham, Khalilzad Chair, South Asia Center, testifies at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Afghanistan

In the News

Dec 16, 2015

Riley: Challenging Putin’s Pipeline Strategy

By Alan Riley

Global Energy Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Alan Riley writes for the Wall Street Journal on the European Union’s Central and Eastern European members’ opposition to Moscow’s Berlin-backed plan to boost its energy leverage:

Eastern Europe Germany

In the News

Dec 16, 2015

Pham on Russia’s Increasing Trade Relationship with Africa

By J. Peter Pham

Pulse Ghana quotes Africa Center Director J. Peter Pham on Russia’s increasing trade relationship with Africa:

Russia

In the News

Dec 16, 2015

Vakhshouri on US Oil Export Ban

By Sara Vakhshouri

USA Today quotes Global Energy Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Sara Vakhshouri on why ending the US oil export ban will help stabilize global oil prices:

In the News

Dec 16, 2015

Hof Speaks at Democracy Council Fundraiser

By Frederic Hof

The Jewish Journal covers Rafik Hariri Center Resident Senior Fellow Frederic C. Hof‘s remarks from a Democracy Council fundraiser to raise money for Syrian refugees in Turkey and Jordan:

Syria

In the News

Dec 16, 2015

Khoury: New Cold War Comes to Syria

By Nabeel Khoury

Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Nabeel Khoury writes for The Cairo Review of Global Affairs on Russia’s intensifying intervention in the Syrian civil war:

Russia Syria

In the News

Dec 16, 2015

Il Foglio Features Econographics

By Andrea Montanino

Italian newspaper Il Foglio features the Global Business and Economics Program’s weekly Econographics on public recapitalization and asset relief as a percent of GDP: Read the full article here.

In the News

Dec 16, 2015

Ward: ISIS Is Adapting Its Strategy. Obama Should Too.

By Alex Ward

Brent Scowcroft Center Associate Director Alex Ward writes for The National Interest on how ISIS’ tactics have changed in recent months and what the United States needs to do to respond to this new dynamic:

In the News

Dec 16, 2015

Janeka on Saudi Arabia’s Role in a Solution to the Syrian Conflict

By Marri Janeka

Voice of America quotes Middle East Peace and Security Initiative Assistant Director Marri Janeka on Saudia Arabia’s role in negotiating a solution to the conflict in Syria:

Saudi Arabia Syria
Load More