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 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.

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

New Atlanticist

May 2, 2025

The Trump-Meloni challenge: How to make both the US and the West great again

By Ira Straus

American Greatness has multiple levels, and understanding how each operates is important to making the most of US power and influence.

Italy Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

May 2, 2025

France’s foreign minister on Europe’s role in the ‘new era of multilateralism’

By Daniel Hojnacki

Jean-Noël Barrot laid out his vision of European strategic autonomy and cautioned Washington against pulling back from the multilateral system it helped build.

Economy & Business European Union

AfricaSource

May 2, 2025

To redefine US-Africa engagement, Washington must recognize the power of the African diaspora

By Kirstie Kwarteng

Embracing the digital identity economy will allow the US to shape a mutually beneficial partnership with African countries.

Africa Migration
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Latest in-depth research and reports

Issue Brief

May 2, 2025

Saudi-Israeli normalization is still possible—if the United States plays it smart

By Dan Rothem

Saudi-Israeli normalization remains a potential game changer in Middle East geopolitics. It could reshape alliances, enhance security, and spur economic growth. But progress hinges on US diplomacy, Palestinian inclusion, and Saudi leadership.

Israel Middle East

Issue Brief

Apr 29, 2025

The United States needs a victory plan for the Indo-Pacific

By Brian Kerg

The United States remains focused on planning for a short, sharp war with China. But a potential conflict will almost certainly become a long war of attrition.

China Crisis Management

Issue Brief

Apr 28, 2025

Modernizing the tools of economic statecraft to meet the challenges of today

By Lesley Chavkin, Eitan Danon, Kimberly Donovan, Andrew Gallucci, and Caroline Hill

As the current administration revisits the functions and mechanics of government, near-term steps can be taken, under existing statutory authorities, to modernize how the United States uses its economic strength to combat national security threats and promote American interests.

Economy & Business Financial Regulation
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Content

In the News

Jul 11, 2023

Haring and Klain in the Hill: Biden’s risking his legacy on Ukraine

By Atlantic Council

NATO Security & Defense

In the News

Jul 11, 2023

Karatnycky in Foreign Policy: The long, destructive shadow of Obama’s Russia doctrine

By Atlantic Council

Eastern Europe National Security

In the News

Jul 11, 2023

Grady Wilson quoted in NRC (Dutch) on balancing in Turkish foreign policy
NATO Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Jul 11, 2023

Wieslander interviewed on Radio Sweden

Podcast Gräns When Turkey makes demands and delays Sweden’s membership, there is a risk that NATO appears weak and that the principle of open doors is challenged. Sveriges Radio speaks to Anna Wieslander, Director for Northern Europe at the Atlantic Council. “The process has taken longer than I expected”, she says.

NATO Northern Europe

In the News

Jul 11, 2023

Wieslander quoted in Financial Times

Sweden poised to strengthen Nato’s northern defences Membership of alliance marks historic shift for non-aligned country, precipitated by Russia’s war against Ukraine. Swedish membership will help Nato bolster its defence of the entire Nordic and Baltic regions and reinforce its presence in the Arctic. Its forces, logistics, airspace and maritime areas can now be fully […]

NATO Northern Europe

In the News

Jul 11, 2023

Wieslander quoted in TIME

Why Sweden’s Path to NATO Membership Has Been So Rocky “Why is Sweden not already a NATO member?” “‘Sweden had to withdraw from Northern Europe’s power politics around 1809. We got a new French king, Bernadotte, and we withdrew because we were too weakened,’ Anna Wieslander, director for Northern Europe at the Atlantic Council, tells […]

NATO Northern Europe

In the News

Jul 11, 2023

Rich Outzen joins CNN International to discuss Erdogan’s approval of Sweden’s NATO membership
Europe & Eurasia NATO

In the News

Jul 11, 2023

Rich Outzen joins TRT World to discuss Erdogan’s approval of Sweden’s NATO membership
Europe & Eurasia NATO

In the News

Jul 11, 2023

Wieslander interviewed on Expressen TV

Anna Wieslander is at the NATO summit in Vilnius, where Turkey yesterday night said yes to Sweden joining Nato. Anna Wieslander, director for Northern Europe states: “Turkey’s EU demands were introduced in the last minute.” “It was about bringing everything to an end”, she says.

NATO Northern Europe

In the News

Jul 11, 2023

Wieslander on BBC World Service

Turkey’s president agrees to back Sweden’s request to join the western military defence alliance NATO – but what will it mean when Sweden becomes part of the alliance? Anna Wieslander spoke with BBC’s World Service about the Turkey-Swedish deal and a possible Ukraine membership. Anna Wieslander can be heard at minute 28:30.

NATO Northern Europe
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