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

Report

Dec 18, 2025

Democracy and stability in Africa: Why US leadership still matters

By Mason Ingram, Alysson Oakley, and Jack Higgins

This issue brief is the fifth in the Freedom and Prosperity Center’s “Future of democracy assistance” series, which analyzes the many complex challenges to democracy around the world—and highlights actionable policies that promote democratic governance.The near- and long-term interests of African societies and key US stakeholders are bolstered by the advancement of democratic, accountable, and stable governance on the continent. A robust democracy assistance strategy in Africa is in line with long-standing US values that underpin America’s reputation and image on the continent, and is also instrumental to current US objectives. 

Africa
Corruption

Issue Brief

Dec 18, 2025

Engaging generative artificial intelligence in African development

By William Yancey Brown

From classrooms to farming communities, generative artificial intelligence holds great potential for Africa. The question is whether its promise of abundance will reach everyone—or only those already well-connected.

Africa
Artificial Intelligence

Report

Dec 15, 2025

Beijing pressures Taiwan’s remaining diplomatic partners. Here’s what the US should do in response

By Kitsch Liao, Nik Foster, Santiago Villa

Taiwan’s shrinking circle of diplomatic partners plays a crucial role in deterring Chinese coercion, and the United States needs a more targeted strategy to help preserve this support and maintain cross-strait stability.

China
Politics & Diplomacy

Content

In the News

Apr 28, 2024

Polymeropoulos cited in 60 minutes Australia and nine.com about Havana Syndrome

On April 28, Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Marc Polymeropoulos was cited on 60 minutes Australia and nine.com about his struggles with Havana Syndrome symptoms.

Non-Traditional Threats
Russia

In the News

Apr 26, 2024

Leo Michel’s report on NATO decision-making

By Leo Michel

On April 26, Transatlantic Security Initiative’s nonresident senior fellow Leo Michel published a report on NATO’s decision-making. This report was originally published by the Swedish Defense Research Agency.

Europe & Eurasia
NATO

In the News

Apr 25, 2024

Global China Hub Senior Director David O. Shullman in “Novi Magazin” Podcast

By David O. Shullman

On April 21st, Global China Hub Senior Director David O. Shullman was featured on the podcast “Novi Magazin,” for a discussion on Serbia’s close relationship with China and the United States’ perspective on this cooperation.

China
Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Apr 25, 2024

Brooks interviewed for History Channel “The Great War”

On April 25, it was announced that an interview with Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Max Brooks will be included in The History Channel’s upcoming two-part documentary series “The Great War” premiering on May 27-28. “The Great War” explores the critical years of 1917 and 1918, weaving together the stories of three different groups showcasing […]

Conflict
Defense Policy

In the News

Apr 25, 2024

Bauerle Danzman quoted in the Washington Post on TikTok divestment bill

Read the full article here.

China
Economy & Business

In the News

Apr 24, 2024

Shaffer quoted in S&P Global on US sanctions on Iran

Economic Sanctions
Energy & Environment

In the News

Apr 23, 2024

Wechsler joins Scripps News to discuss Iranian and Israeli strikes

By Atlantic Council

Conflict
Iran

In the News

Apr 23, 2024

Polymeropoulos book review of “But You Don’t Look Arab and Other Tales of Unbelonging” in The Cipher Brief

On April 23, Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Marc Polymeropoulos wrote a book review for The Cipher Brief of Hala Gorani’s “But You Don’t Look Arab and Other Tales of Unbelonging.” The review covers the story of Emmy Award-winning international journalist Hala Gorani, from her time as a globe-trotting correspondent and anchor with her own […]

Conflict
Education

In the News

Apr 23, 2024

Michta in Politico on the imperative of Europe’s rearmament

On April 22, Andrew Michta, director and senior fellow in the Scowcroft Strategy Initiative, published an op-ed entitled “Without European rearmament, NATO is setting itself up for failure” in Politico that discusses why Europe must rearm at speed and scale to prevent future threats to its security architecture.

Defense Policy
Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Apr 23, 2024

Webster in The Interpreter: The Kyrgyzstan route facilitating Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

Central Asia
Energy & Environment