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

Aug 17, 2015

Al-Ghwell on Airstrikes in Libya

By Hafed Al-Ghwell

Radio France Internationale quotes Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Hafed Al-Ghwell on the effectiveness of airstrikes on ISIS-controlled positions in Libya: 

Libya

In the News

Aug 17, 2015

Mardini on al-Maliki and the Fall of Mosul

By Ramzy Mardini

The Los Angeles Times quotes Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Ramzy Mardini on whether former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki will go to trial over the fall of Mosul to ISIS:

Iraq

In the News

Aug 17, 2015

Vakhshouri on Post-Sanctions Iran

By Sara Vakhshouri

Reuters quotes Global Energy Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Sara Vakhshouri on the impact of post-sanctions Iran on international oil services:

Iran

In the News

Aug 17, 2015

Huntsman on China’s Currency Devaluation

By Jon M. Huntsman

Atlantic Council Chairman Jon M. Huntsman, Jr. joins CNN’s Fareed Zakaria GPS to discuss the global market reaction to China’s multiple currency devaluations:

China

In the News

Aug 17, 2015

Metzl on Japanese History

By Jamie Metzl

The Asahi Shimbum quotes Brent Scowcroft Center Nonresident Senior Fellow for Technology and National Security Jamie Metzl on the need for Japan to accept its history in order to move forward, in light of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s war anniversary statement:

Japan

In the News

Aug 17, 2015

Ullman: Thinking the Unthinkable

By Harlan Ullman

Atlantic Council Senior Adviser Harlan Ullman writes for United Press International on the potential for a presidential race between Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump:

Elections Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Aug 17, 2015

Arslan on Istanbul Summit

By Defne Arslan

Hürriyet News quotes Istanbul Energy & Economic Summit Director Defne Arslan on the significance of the 2015 Atlantic Council Energy & Economic Summit in Istanbul: Read the full article here.

Turkey

In the News

Aug 16, 2015

Pham on Russo-African Trade

By J. Peter Pham

Sputnik News quotes Africa Center Director J. Peter Pham on the reemergence of Russian trade and power in Africa: 

Russia

In the News

Aug 16, 2015

Manning: Stalled TPP Leaves Obama’s Pivot In Doubt

By Robert Manning

Brent Scowcroft Center Resident Senior Fellow Robert Manning writes for Global Times on the stalled Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP): 

Economy & Business Trade and tariffs

In the News

Aug 15, 2015

Pham on Cohen’s Engagement with Africa

By J. Peter Pham

This Day Live quotes Africa Center Director J. Peter Pham on Ambassador Hank Cohen’s breadth of experience and engagement with Africa, which culminated with his appointment as US Assistant Secretary of State on African Affairs: