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

Jun 21, 2025

Rich Outzen joined WION News (India) to discuss Mideast War

Conflict Middle East

In the News

Jun 20, 2025

Charai in the Jerusalem Strategic Tribune: Mr. President, the Time to Strike Is Now

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Crisis Management

In the News

Jun 17, 2025

Zier interviewed on ABC News on how the US should navigate the Israel-Iran conflict

On June 17, Carolien Zier, nonresident senior fellow in the GeoStrategy Initiative, was interviewed on ABC News on the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran and potential US responses. She emphasized that the US has the critical imperative to protect its forces in the region while standing firm with its allies.

Conflict Israel

In the News

Jun 17, 2025

Donovan and Nikoladze cited in Foreign Policy on the systems of sanction evasion between China and Iran

Read the full article here

China Economy & Business

In the News

Jun 17, 2025

Bayoumi quoted in the Washington Examiner on Canada’s cooperation on Trump’s Golden Dome

On June 17, Imran Bayoumi, associate director of the GeoStrategy Initiative, was quoted in the Washington Examiner emphasizing the need for clarity on the scope and objectives of US President Donald Trump’s Golden Dome defense system to secure Canadian support.

Politics & Diplomacy Security & Defense

In the News

Jun 16, 2025

Ullman in the Hill on how the simultaneity of crises threaten US national security

On June 16, Atlantic Council Senior Advisor Harlan Ullman published an op-ed in the Hill warning of a potential “crisis point” for the US government if domestic immigration protests intensify while tensions escalate in the Middle East. He argues that convergence of crises at home and abroad could overwhelm policymakers and stain the US government’s […]

Middle East National Security

In the News

Jun 16, 2025

Lipsky quoted in New York Times on the mood at G7

Read the full article here.

Economy & Business France

In the News

Jun 16, 2025

Lipsky quoted in New York Times on Trump at the G7 Summit

Read the full article here.

Economy & Business France

In the News

Jun 16, 2025

Kroenig quoted in Time on Israel’s strikes on Iran

On June 13, Matthew Kroenig, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director, was quoted in Time on the motivations behind the airstrikes Israel directed at Iranian nuclear sites, as well as its military leaders and scientists.

Conflict Iran

In the News

Jun 16, 2025

Lipsky cited in Politico on expectations for the upcoming G7 summit

Read the full article here.

Economy & Business France