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

Econographics

Sep 14, 2026

Friends with few trade benefits

By Madeline Chalecki

Free trade agreements were supposed to protect US trading partners. But the Trump administration’s tariffs are putting that promise to the test.

Economy & Business Trade and tariffs

UkraineAlert

Sep 13, 2026

Learning from Ukraine’s unrivaled experience of Russian cyber warfare

By Iryna Volnytska

No country in the world today knows more about Russian cyber warfare than Ukraine, but further steps are required in order to help Kyiv’s partners make the most of Ukraine’s unrivaled experience, writes Iryna Volnytska.

Conflict Cybersecurity

AfricaSource

Sep 11, 2026

The US must become Africa’s partner on technology and AI. It can do so with soft power.

By Troy Fitrell and Kathryn Fitrell

The United States’ chief adversary has a soft power strategy. Why doesn’t Washington?

Africa Artificial Intelligence
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Latest in-depth research and reports

In-Depth Research & Reports

Sep 11, 2026

Submission to the UN: Advancing the just repatriation of illicit funds 

By Britt Gronemeyer, Celeste Kmiotek

How can the UN and the international community ensure that when illicit funds are seized, victims of the illicit activity benefit? The Atlantic Council's Strategic Litigation Program contributed a brief to the UN's High Commissioner for Human Rights with six key recommendations on the subject.

Corruption Financial Crimes & Illicit Trade

Issue Brief

Sep 8, 2026

Turning early alignment into a durable US-Colombia partnership

By Carolina Barco and Kevin Whitaker

One month into President Abelardo de la Espriella’s administration, early alignment with the Trump administration creates an opening to strengthen US-Colombia cooperation on security, trade and investment, regional stability, and Venezuela’s recovery.

Americas Colombia

Report

Sep 8, 2026

Preparing for and countering limited nuclear attacks in East Asia: Guardian Tiger III

By Markus Garlauskas with John Park and Kyoko Imai. Contributors: Andrew Brown and Jonathan Corrado

The risk of North Korea launching a limited nuclear attack will likely increase over the coming decade. The United States and its allies are not preparing adequately to deter and prevail in the face of such nuclear strikes.

Indo-Pacific Korea
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Content

In the News

Mar 8, 2022

Friedlander in Politico: Opinion | The West Has Declared Financial War on Russia. Is It Prepared for the Consequences?

"The US and Europe are using sanctions to try and stop a war that’s already underway. It’s a huge gamble," writes Julia Friedlander in Politico.

Economy & Business Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

In the News

Mar 8, 2022

Blakemore quoted in  Al Jazeera on shale oil production
Energy & Environment Oil and Gas

In the News

Mar 8, 2022

Sullivan quoted in The Straits Times on Russian oil import bans
Energy Markets & Governance European Union

In the News

Mar 8, 2022

Marks on CNN to discuss Putin’s strategy in Ukraine

By Atlantic Council

Ronald Marks III discusses Putin’s strategic miscalculations in Ukraine.

Conflict Crisis Management

Insights & Impact

Mar 8, 2022

Katz joins Gulf International Forum to discuss how the war in Ukraine affects the Gulf
Energy & Environment Middle East

Insights & Impact

Mar 8, 2022

Slavin quoted in Al-Monitor: Biden bans Russian oil imports as Iran talks hit snag
Iran Russia

In the News

Mar 8, 2022

Slavin quoted in Al-Monitor on US-Iran nuclear talks in Vienna

By Atlantic Council

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Mar 8, 2022

Ashford in the Power Problems Podcast: The end of the post-Cold War era?

By Atlantic Council

On March 8, Emma Ashford returned to her roots and appeared on the Cato Institute’s Power Problems podcast to discuss tensions between the West and Russia. “I’m confident the Russians didn’t expect this level of support from Europe. I didn’t expect this level of support from Europe. We have gone, in about a week…from the […]

Conflict Crisis Management

In the News

Mar 8, 2022

Katz joins the Gulf International Forum to discuss the implications of Ukraine crisis on the Gulf region

By Atlantic Council

Arms Control Conflict

In the News

Mar 8, 2022

Ashford in The New Republic: The no fly-zone risk: what if Russia doesn’t back down?

By Atlantic Council

On March 8, Emma Ashford and Joshua Shrifinson were quoted on the escalatory risks of a no-fly-zone. “Even if a no-fly zone miraculously didn’t lead to direct war, it would significantly escalate a conflict that is already dangerously intensifying with no clear pathways for de-escalation. The sanctions are unprecedentedly harsh, turning Russia into the most […]

Conflict Crisis Management
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