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.

Read our annual report
Learn more

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

Download PDF
Read the essays
sign up for more

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.

view all Program impact stories

Latest commentary and analysis

EnergySource

Apr 30, 2026

Breaking with OPEC, the UAE is now a free agent. What this means for markets and regional unity

By Ellen Wald

The UAE's departure from OPEC will both impact oil markets and mark a significant historic shift for the region.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

Econographics

Apr 29, 2026

What swap, Gulf?

By Charles Lichfield and Maxamillian Rajaobelina-Phipps

Amidst the chaos of the conflict in the Middle East, there’s been a buzz around offering dollar currency swaps to allies. Those have traditionally been the territory of central banks, but this time around, Treasury is taking the lead.

Economy & Business

UkraineAlert

Apr 28, 2026

Ukraine’s Zelennials have youth on their side in war against Putin’s pensioners

By Peter Dickinson

It is no exaggeration to state that the current war in Ukraine is a clash of generations pitting Russia’s staunchly Soviet leadership against the radically different post-Soviet mindset of the Ukrainian authorities, writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict Democratic Transitions
View all commentary & analysis

Latest in-depth research and reports

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

Issue Brief

Apr 29, 2026

How information and communication technologies can empower women in Senegal

By Aminata Niang

Data and interview results show how information and communication technologies are empowering women in Senegal's informal economy.

Africa Freedom and Prosperity
View all In-depth Research & reports

Content

In the News

May 26, 2022

Nooruddin in Instick Media: The Global South on Ukraine

By Atlantic Council

Economy & Business Indo-Pacific

In the News

May 26, 2022

Ashford on SpectatorTV: What has Taiwan learnt from Ukraine?

By Atlantic Council

On May 26, Emma Ashford was interviewed on SpectatorTV about Ukraine and Taiwan. Ashford drew distinctions between Russia’s war in Ukraine and a potential attack on Taiwan by the Chinese government. “There are these parallels, but the parallels are mostly at this sort of large, strategic, geopolitical sense. There are also some major differences that I think […]

China Conflict

In the News

May 26, 2022

Sullivan in Arab News: How the war in Ukraine has stopped it from feeding 400 million people around the world
Eastern Europe Trade and tariffs

In the News

May 26, 2022

Fontenrose in DefenseOne: What Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine Means for the Middle East

By Atlantic Council

Middle East Russia

In the News

May 26, 2022

CBDC Tracker cited in South China Morning Post on countries that have launched or are piloting central bank digital currencies

Read the full article here.

Digital Currencies Digital Policy

In the News

May 26, 2022

Shapiro quoted in All Arab News on how the US can improve relations with Riyadh and lay the groundwork for US-Saudi peace

By Atlantic Council

Israel Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

May 26, 2022

Sadat speaks at Humans to Mars on space diplomacy

By Atlantic Council

Mir Sadat discusses space diplomacy and security at the 2022 Humans to Mars Summit.

Defense Policy Defense Technologies

In the News

May 25, 2022

CBDC Tracker cited in Reuters on countries that are exploring, piloting or have launched central bank digital currencies

Read the full article here.

Digital Currencies Digital Policy

In the News

May 25, 2022

Konaev in the news on artificial intelligence and the Department of Defense.

By Atlantic Council

Margarita Konaev comments on the Department of Defense's implementation of artificial intelligence.

Defense Industry Defense Policy

In the News

May 25, 2022

Polymeropoulos in the Washington Examiner on gun control

By Atlantic Council

Marc Polymeropoulos discusses his long career in public service and motivation to speak up on the gun control debate.

Extremism National Security
Load More