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.

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

Issue Brief

Mar 20, 2026

The economic and political traps awaiting aging societies

By Markus Jaeger

Rapidly aging populations and falling birthrates create fiscal and economic headwinds that even advanced economies struggle to manage. Some middle-income countries are approaching the same “demographic cliff” at an even faster clip, while many lower-income countries face the opposite problem. Policymakers in all cases must be prepared to make politically tough decisions—and soon.

Economy & Business Fiscal and Structural Reform

Issue Brief

Mar 20, 2026

Aquatic Tiger: How long-range submarine drones could play a role in a Taiwan conflict

By Markus Garlauskas with contributions from Drew Holliday, Adam Kozloski, Nicholas Takeuchi, and Paul Vebber

Could submarine drones help the United States deter or counter a Chinese attack on Taiwan? The Aquatic Tiger wargame was designed to find out. The Atlantic Council's Indo-Pacific Security Initiative reports on the wargame's findings, with implications for the US government, the defense industry, and more. 

Conflict Defense Technologies

Issue Brief

Mar 19, 2026

Federal agencies under pressure need smarter systems, not tougher people

By Caitlin Thompson

Resilience is an important trait for national security practitioners, but it is not a solution for problems with agency and department design. Better systems and strategies can ensure that individuals are fully prepared and ready to respond to crises, rather than consistently under strain.

National Security Resilience

Content

In the News

Nov 28, 2025

Nikoladze, Yin, and Meng cited in Cambridge University Press on their analysis on Russia-China economic cooperation in discussion of UNGA votes condemning unilateral economic coercion

Read the full article here

In the News

Nov 28, 2025

CBDC tracker cited in Crypto.news on South Africa’s decision to shelve retail CBDC plans in favor of wholesale CBDC and cross-border payment improvements

Read the full article here

In the News

Nov 28, 2025

CBDC tracker cited in markets.com on South Africa’s decision to shelve retail CBDC plans in favor of wholesale CBDC and cross-border payment improvements

Read the full article here

In the News

Nov 27, 2025

CBDC tracker cited in Trading View on South Africa’s decision to shelve retail CBDC plans in favor of wholesale CBDC and cross-border payment improvements

Read the full article here

In the News

Nov 27, 2025

Rich Outzen interview with ILTV/YNet News on US/ISR tensions over strained Gaza ceasefire 

Conflict Israel

In the News

Nov 27, 2025

Yevgeniya Gaber interview libertatea.ro, on the U.S. “peace plan” proposals for Ukraine and the Russian-Ukrainian-U.S. negotiations

Conflict Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Nov 26, 2025

Nikoladze’s Venezuela crypto and crude piece mentioned in Illicit Edge’s newsletter as one of the top stories of the week

Read the full newsletter here

In the News

Nov 26, 2025

Michta interviewed in Defense24 on Ukraine peace plan

On November 26, Andrew Michta, nonresident senior fellow with the GeoStrategy Initiative in the Scowcroft Center, was interviewed for an article in “Defense24”. He argues that as proposed, the deal could reward Russia and prove costly for Ukraine.

Conflict NATO

In the News

Nov 26, 2025

Charai for The Jerusalem Strategic Tribune: Truth Has Finally Defeated Fear

By Atlantic Council

Israel Middle East

In the News

Nov 25, 2025

Pınar Dost joins “Strait Talk” at TRT World to discuss the G20 Summit in South Africa

Africa G20