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

Podcast

May 5, 2026

Are we headed toward a US-China trade showdown?

By the GeoEconomics Center

With US President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing less than two weeks away, Josh and Jessie sit down with the Wall Street Journal’s chief China correspondent, Lingling Wei, to break down what issues will shape the agenda: from the Iran war to Washington’s push for “rules of origin,” which could fundamentally reshape trade relations. They also dig into the backroom drama of past high-level visits, including shouting matches and fistfights.

MENASource

May 5, 2026

Dispatch from Beirut: Israel-Hezbollah talks risk falling into a failed, decades-long pattern

By Nicholas Blanford

As the war with Israel revives Hezbollah and divides Lebanon, the ongoing negotiations echo failed 1983 talks.

Conflict Israel

UkraineAlert

May 4, 2026

Zelenskyy rains on Putin’s parade: Kyiv and Moscow declare rival ceasefires

By Peter Dickinson

Victory Day was supposed to be an opportunity for Vladimir Putin to project power. Instead, this year’s drastically scaled down parade is exposing Russia’s weakness while revealing Ukraine's strength, writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict Drones
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Latest in-depth research and reports

Report

May 4, 2026

Powering data centers in emerging markets

By Phillip Cornell

This report examines how emerging markets are increasingly powering the next wave of data centers, with recommendations for policymakers.

Africa Artificial Intelligence

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
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Content

In the News

Feb 22, 2022

Iyer and Warrick in the Week on a Russian invasion

By Atlantic Council

Arun Iyer and Thomas Warrick comment on a Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Conflict Cybersecurity

In the News

Feb 22, 2022

Morningstar Quoted in The Hill on Effect of Germany’s NS2 Decision
Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Feb 22, 2022

Connable in Lawfare: Building Iraqi Army Will to Fight to Prevent Another Disaster

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Crisis Management

In the News

Feb 22, 2022

empowerME event covered by Egypt Today

By Atlantic Council

Economy & Business Inclusive Growth

In the News

Feb 22, 2022

Haring in USA Today: Russian troops invaded Ukraine. Sanctions are in place. What happens next?

Melinda Haring, deputy director of the Atlantic Council's Eurasia Center, lays out three scenarios on what happens next for Ukraine and Europe after Putin's invasion.

Russia Ukraine

In the News

Feb 22, 2022

Manning in CNN: President Biden says Vladimir Putin has chosen to invade Ukraine

By Atlantic Council

On February 22, Fareed Zakaria cited Manning’s article about the ability of the United States to negotiate with China on his CNN show. In his Foreign Policy article, Manning wrote, “Henry Kissinger said recently of the U.S.-China relationship: ‘Our leaders and their leaders have to discuss the limits beyond which they will not push threats […]

China English

In the News

Feb 22, 2022

O’Toole quoted in Foreign Policy on deterrence sanctions

Read the full article here.

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Feb 22, 2022

Warrick quoted in The Week on the outcomes of Russia’s prolonged invasion of Ukraine

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Crisis Management

In the News

Feb 22, 2022

O’Toole quoted in Bloomberg on sanctions against Russia

Read the full article here.

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Feb 21, 2022

Ambassador Fried interviewed on CNN on Putin’s offenses

Watch the video here.

Conflict Economy & Business
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