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

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
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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
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Content

In the News

May 10, 2022

Preble quoted in New Republic: If these intel leaks don’t stop, we could be headed for a war with Russia

By Atlantic Council

On May 10, Christopher Preble was quoted in a New Republic article on the potential consequences of intelligence leaks about US assistance to Ukraine’s military, making the case that US goals in Ukraine may exceed those of Ukraine itself and risk escalation. “As Chris Preble, (deputy director of) the New American Engagement Initiative at the […]

Conflict Defense Policy

In the News

May 10, 2022

Slavin quoted in Al Monitor on developing Iran-Saudi relations and it’s impact on nuclear talks

By Atlantic Council

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Iran

In the News

May 9, 2022

GeoEconomics Center report on the future of UK banking and finance cited in Telegraph

Read the full article here.

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

In the News

May 9, 2022

Cohen joins Bloomberg to discuss Russian foreign policy plans in the future and Russian interests in Middle Eastern resources

By Atlantic Council

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

In the News

May 9, 2022

Ferziger mentioned in Jewish Insider Daily Kickoff on global food shortage trends in MENA

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Economy & Business

In the News

May 9, 2022

Blanford quoted in France24 on the implications of expat Lebanese votes for parliamentary elections

By Atlantic Council

Corruption Democratic Transitions

In the News

May 9, 2022

Charai in the National Interest: “Under William J. Burns, the CIA Is Back”

By Ahmed Charai

Few predicted that the CIA’s constant release of intelligence would unite the world against Russia. Now it has.

International Organizations Middle East

In the News

May 9, 2022

Vershbow in Fox News: Putin may soon face one of his worst strategic nightmares

By Alexander Vershbow

Alexander Vershbow discusses the strategic implications of Finland and Sweden joining NATO.

Conflict Eastern Europe

In the News

May 9, 2022

Konaev in Foreign Affairs on Ukraine’s military tactics

By Atlantic Council

Margarita Konaev argues that Ukraine's military must adopt guerilla-style tactics to defeat Russia in the Donbas.

Conflict Crisis Management

In the News

May 9, 2022

Manning in Foreign Policy: Locking China out of the global order could backfire

By Atlantic Council

On May 9, Robert Manning published an article in Foreign Policy questioning the assumption that excluding China from the global order benefits the long-term interests of the United States. “It may be that China is unshakably on a path to remake the world order on its terms and also, as a result of the Ukraine […]

China English
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