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

UkraineAlert

May 6, 2026

Ukrainian battlefield gains expose Russia’s communications problems

By Miro Sedlák

Ukraine has demonstrated in recent months that it is capable of exploiting weaknesses in Russia’s front line defenses. Kyiv’s allies should now seek to prioritize the tools that will identify and exacerbate these weak points, writes Miro Sedlák.

Conflict Cybersecurity

EnergySource

May 6, 2026

Fortifying US national security with a hidden energy advantage

By Sudeep Kanungo, Ryan J. Lamke, and Troy Warshel

Developing new underground energy resources—geothermal and geologic hydrogen—could bolster both US energy security and its national defense. Here's how Congress can enable this.

Energy & Environment Renewables & Advanced Energy

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.

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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 16, 2022

Wieslander interviewed by Radio Sweden on Russian troop movements

By Anna Wieslander

“This is a long-term game about the future of our security order. This is about the type of world we want to live in,” said Wieslander.

Europe & Eurasia NATO

In the News

Feb 16, 2022

Schuman in The Atlantic: China now understands what a nuclear rivalry looks like

By Atlantic Council

On February 16, 2022, Michael Schuman published an article in The Atlantic, “China Now Understands What a Nuclear Rivalry Looks Like.” In the article, Schuman explores how “China, an old but relatively minor player in the nuclear game, appears to be significantly increasing the size of its arsenal.”

China Security & Defense

In the News

Feb 16, 2022

Kroenig in the Atlantic on China’s nuclear capability

By Atlantic Council

Scowcroft Center deputy director Matthew Kroenig acknowledges China's growing nuclear capability in the Atlantic.

Arms Control China

In the News

Feb 16, 2022

Dr Riaz in The Daily Star: Three legacies of the Election Commission

By Atlantic Council

Indo-Pacific South Asia

In the News

Feb 16, 2022

Dr Riaz quoted in BBC Bangla on the RAB

By Atlantic Council

Bangladesh Indo-Pacific

In the News

Feb 16, 2022

Nooruddin and Munter quoted in Daily Times: QAU to organize int’l conference on Wednesday to discuss Pak-US current relations

By Atlantic Council

Pakistan

In the News

Feb 16, 2022

Friedlander and O’Toole quoted in Politico on sanctions against Russia

Read the full article here.

Economy & Business Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

In the News

Feb 16, 2022

Wetzel in Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists on the Russia-Ukraine crisis

By Atlantic Council

Senior US Air Force fellow Lt Col Tyson Wetzel describes the potential for a Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Conflict Crisis Management

In the News

Feb 15, 2022

Mu Changchun’s remarks from the UCSD-GeoEconomics Center conference on CBDCs in the Asia Pacific featured in Reuters

Read the full article here.

China Digital Currencies

In the News

Feb 15, 2022

Kramer in The Hill discussing cybersecurity vulnerabilities

By Franklin D. Kramer

On February 15, Atlantic Council Board Director and Distinguished Fellow Franklin D. Kramer authored an article for The Hill arguing that incentivizing the establishment of an industry of private sector integrated service providers through the use of cybersecurity investment tax credits would bolster resilience in the cyberspace.

Cybersecurity Europe & Eurasia
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