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.

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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

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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.

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Latest commentary and analysis

EnergySource

May 4, 2026

Chinese electric vehicle exports rise amid the oil crisis, posing a dilemma for importing countries

By Joseph Webster and Tony Jing

China is exporting a large number of electric vehicles around the world amid today's oil shock. The cars' internet connectivity, however, could make importers vulnerable to cyberattacks.

China Energy & Environment

Podcast

May 1, 2026

The IEA’s Fatih Birol on ‘the greatest energy security threat in history’

By The Atlantic Council

The war in Iran continues with no clear end in sight, fueling economic turbulence and concerns of a global energy crisis. International Energy Agency Executive Director Fatih Birol spoke at an AC Front Page event on April 13th, and argued the conflict is the greatest energy security threat in history. He warned that oil prices will soon “converge” with the on-the-ground reality, knocking the global economy further into disarray.

Economy & Business European Union

AfricaSource

May 1, 2026

What can save Mali from collapse?

By Hussein Ba and Rama Yade

The security situation in Mali is becoming critical in the wake of a large-scale, coordinated series of attacks across multiple cities on April 25.

Extremism North & West Africa
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Latest in-depth research and reports

Report

May 4, 2026

Powering data centers in emerging markets

By Phillip Cornell

This report examines how emerging markets are increasingly powering the next wave of data centers, with recommendations for policymakers.

Africa Artificial Intelligence

Issue Brief

Apr 30, 2026

How Colombia can reduce security threats ahead of its presidential election

By the US–Colombia Strategic Alignment Coalition

Though Colombia's recent legislative elections were largely peaceful, the security environment has worsened in recent weeks amid death threats against candidates and escalating violence by armed groups. The upcoming weeks present a narrow, but critical, window to reduce risks ahead of the May 31 presidential election.

Americas Civil Society

Issue Brief

Apr 29, 2026

Does liberal democracy drive inequalities?

By Yi Zhou

There has been much debate about the relationship between liberal democracy and social and economic inequality, but data shows that free societies remain more equal than their less free counterparts.

Freedom and Prosperity Inclusive Growth
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Content

In the News

Apr 24, 2026

Donovan and Nikoladze cited in New York Times article on how Iran has diversified its economy in response to sanctions

Read the full article here

In the News

Apr 24, 2026

Atlantic Council IMF/World Bank week Spring Meeting programming mentioned in The Africa Report article on the week ahead in US-Africa relations

Read the full article here

In the News

Apr 22, 2026

Charai for The National Interest: Judge Jared Kushner by What He Changed

By Atlantic Council

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Apr 22, 2026

Kroenig published in Foreign Policy on What Happens if China Succeeds

By Atlantic Council

On April 22, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was published in Foreign Policy on how China winning great power competition would foment a more dangerous, impoverished, and tyrannical world for everyone else.

China Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Apr 22, 2026

Kroenig quoted in Bloomberg on prospects for victory in Iran

By Atlantic Council

On April 20, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was quoted in Bloomberg about how President Trump can declare victory in Iran.

Iran Security & Defense

In the News

Apr 22, 2026

Kroenig interviewed on PBS on negotations in Iran

By Atlantic Council

On April 17, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was interviewed on PBS about US negotiations in Iran.

Iran Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Apr 20, 2026

Lipsky quoted in Reuters article detailing why developing nations may take regionally coordinated ‌action against external shocks

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In the News

Apr 16, 2026

Wieslander on Swedish television

On Thursday, April 16, Anna Wieslander, Director for Northern Europe, was invited to TV4 Nyhetsdagen to comment on reports of a European NATO fallback plan in case the U.S. leaves the alliance. Wieslander emphasizes that discussions about a more European NATO have been ongoing since the Trump administration took office last year, but that recent […]

Northern Europe Security & Defense

In the News

Apr 15, 2026

Bertrand featured in Latinvex on decapitation strikes in Mexico

By Atlantic Council

On March 12, Charlotte Bertrand, project assistant with the GeoStrategy Initiative, was republished in Latinvex on the efficacy of decapitation strikes in Mexico.

Mexico Security & Defense

In the News

Apr 15, 2026

Kroenig interviewed on CNN on the blockade of the Straight of Hormuz

By Atlantic Council

On April 14, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was interviewed on CNN about the US blockade of the Straight of Hormuz and its strategic significance.

Iran Maritime Security
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