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

Jul 2, 2026

With US sanctions temporarily lifted, is Iranian crude back on the menu?

By Lize de Kruijf, Chloe O’Connor

The US-Iran deal waives sanctions on Iranian oil sales, but Washington will need further steps to meaningfully shift global crude trade and ensure clearer visibility into Iranian oil transactions.

Dollar Dominance Energy & Environment

MENASource

Jul 1, 2026

Libya doesn’t need another elite bargain

By Karim Mezran

The US blessing of a power-sharing arrangement for Libya preserves a fragile stability today while increasing the risk of a much larger crisis tomorrow.

Libya Political Reform

EnergySource

Jul 1, 2026

US nuclear power in state energy planning: A policy roadmap

By Julianne Szyper

To meet growing electricity demand in the US, states must shape the policy, economic, and regulatory environment necessary to build new nuclear reactors and their supply chains.

Energy & Environment Nuclear Energy
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Latest in-depth research and reports

Issue Brief

Jul 2, 2026

From burden sharing to strategic delivery: NATO and Turkey’s priorities ahead of the Ankara summit

By Pınar Dost

As allies gather in Ankara, Turkey's rising influence, US retrenchment, and uneven burden sharing will test whether NATO can convert pledges into action.

Defense Policy European Union

Report

Jul 1, 2026

How NATO is facing mounting cybersecurity challenges

By G. Alexander Crowther

NATO's cyber defenses boast strong policy and training, but uneven capabilities and rising state threats will continue to pose major challenges.

Cybersecurity Defense Technologies

Report

Jul 1, 2026

Alliance evolving: The Ankara Summit and NATO Readiness

By Atlantic Council Turkey Program

As allies gather in Ankara for the 2026 NATO Summit, the seventh issue of the Defense Journal examines the issues at the forefront of the allied agenda.

Defense Policy Defense Technologies
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Content

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

In the News

May 9, 2022

Kumar quoted in S&P Global on how CBDCs can minimize sanction evasion

Read the full article here

Digital Currencies Digital Policy

In the News

May 9, 2022

McFate in Merion West: To win wars, cut the U.S. defense budget

"Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is the tank-shot heard around the world, especially by American defense hawks." writes Sean McFate

Defense Policy Security & Defense

In the News

May 8, 2022

Deni in the Wall Street Journal: NATO should admit Finland and Sweden ASAP

By John R. Deni

John Deni argues for the Wall Street Journal that Finnish and Swedish membership in NATO enhances the Alliance’s security and sends a powerful message to Russia.

Conflict Eastern Europe

In the News

May 8, 2022

Nia quoted in Bloomberg on the implications of Elon Musk’s overtaking of Twitter for activists and companies

By Atlantic Council

Digital Policy Internet

In the News

May 7, 2022

Israel Initiative’s event with Ambassador Nides mentioned in Mondoweiss

By Atlantic Council

Israel Middle East

In the News

May 7, 2022

Sullivan in Arab News: Nations must prepare for the shocks that war and climate change always bring
Climate Change & Climate Action Geopolitics & Energy Security
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