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


Econographics

Jun 19, 2026

Central banks can’t afford to keep missing their inflation targets

By
Jack Muldoon

While the Iran war explains the sudden rise in inflation, relying on this excuse obscures that there is potentially a long-term problem central banks will need to confront as they manage the long tail of this crisis.


Economy & Business


Macroeconomics


UkraineAlert

Jun 18, 2026

Putin’s obsession with ‘denazifying’ Ukraine makes peace impossible

By
Peter Dickinson

Putin’s obsession with “denazifying” Ukraine makes a mockery of efforts to portray the Russian invasion as a mere land grab and helps explain why there has been no meaningful progress toward peace despite more than a year of US-led efforts, writes Peter Dickinson.


Conflict


Disinformation


Podcast

Jun 18, 2026

“Shoot everybody”: US contractors in San Diego court

By
Alia Brahimi

In Season 2, Episode 16 of the Guns for Hire podcast, host Alia Brahimi is joined by Daniel McLaughlin, an international lawyer and Legal Director of the Centre for Justice and Accountability (CJA), a California-based legal nonprofit working on behalf of victims of torture and other atrocity crimes. Daniel and CJA are leading a civil suit in San Diego against a Delaware-registered PMC, Spear Operations Group, for war crimes in Yemen. They represent the Yemeni parliamentarian Anssaf Ali Mayo, who was one of the targets of an alleged hit-squad in Yemen. Daniel talks us through the facts of the case, how it ended up in a California courtroom ten years later, and which US and international laws were ostensibly broken by the PMC. He also argues forcefully that the US government has a duty to regulate how former members of its military use their training and know-how.


Middle East


Rule of Law

Latest in-depth research and reports

Content

In the News

Oct 22, 2015

Metzl on Xi’s UK Visit

By Jamie Metzl

Brent Scowcroft Center Nonresident Senior Fellow for Technology and National Security Jamie Metzl joins CNN to discuss President Xi’s UK visit, whether a discussion of human rights will be on the agenda, and the United Kingdom’s balancing act between economic interests, security, and values:

China

In the News

Oct 22, 2015

Al-Akhali: Yemen is Shatterd and Peace Seems a Long Way Off. The World Can’t Just Watch On

By Rafat Al-Akhali

Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Rafat Al-Akhali cowrites for The Guardian on war in Yemen and its effect on terrorist groups and young people: 

Yemen

In the News

Oct 22, 2015

Marczak: New TPP Deal About More Than Just Asia

By Jason Marczak

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center Deputy Director Jason Marczak writes for The Hill on the importance of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) for countries in the Americas:

Economy & Business Trade and tariffs

In the News

Oct 21, 2015

Burwell on the EU Refugee Crisis Summit

By Frances Burwell

International Business Times quotes Vice President for European Union and Special Initiatives Frances G. Burwell on the upcoming EU refugee crisis summit and why EU countries are more focused on immediate solutions:

European Union International Organizations

In the News

Oct 21, 2015

Nawaz on Prime Minister Sharif’s Meeting with President Obama

By Shuja Nawaz

Bloomberg quotes South Asia Center Distinguished Fellow Shuja Nawaz on Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s meeting with President Obama during his trip to Washington, DC and whether there will be any discussions on a deal to curtail Pakistan’s nuclear program:

Pakistan

In the News

Oct 21, 2015

Cohen on Low Oil Prices and Iranian Spending

By Ariel Cohen

International Business Times quotes Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center and Global Energy Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Ariel Cohen on how low oil prices will affect Iran’s spending after the lifting of sanctions:

Iran

In the News

Oct 21, 2015

Metzl on Warming of Relations Between the United Kingdom and China

By Jamie Metzl

Brent Scowcroft Center Nonresident Senior Fellow for Technology and National Security Jamie Metzl joins BBC Newshour to discuss the implications for the United States of warming relations between the United Kingdom and China:

China United Kingdom

In the News

Oct 21, 2015

Slavin: A Tale of Two Elections: Canada and Egypt

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin writes for Voice of America on the recent elections in Canada and Egypt:

North Africa United States and Canada

In the News

Oct 20, 2015

Itani on Iranian Troops in Syria

By Faysal Itani

Rafik Hariri Center Resident Fellow Faysal Itani joins CNN’s Situation Room to discuss Iran’s increasing engagement in the conflict in Syria and reports that Iranian troops are prepping for a major offensive near Aleppo:

Iran Syria

In the News

Oct 20, 2015

Barno and Bensahel: Putin Takes Center Stage in the Middle East

By Barno and Bensahel

Brent Scowcroft Center Nonresident Senior Fellows for Military Affairs and National Security Policy Dave Barno and Nora Bensahel write for War on the Rocks on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s increasing engagement with the Middle East:

Middle East Russia