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 1, 2022

Handler in Middle East Policy: Middle East cyber security—Threats and opportunities

By Atlantic Council

Simon Handler overviews of the state of cybersecurity in the Middle East and what the implications are for the security of US interests.

Conflict Cybersecurity

In the News

Feb 1, 2022

Slavin quoted in Tehran Times on the renewal of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and US-Iran talks in Vienna

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Crisis Management

In the News

Feb 1, 2022

Fulton quoted in the New York Times on China’s growing economic relations with the Middle East

By Atlantic Council

China Economy & Business

In the News

Feb 1, 2022

Fulton quoted in S&P Global on the evolving role of the Persian Gulf and the geopolitics of oil

By Atlantic Council

China Economy & Business

In the News

Feb 1, 2022

Fulton quoted in Foreign Policy on China’s evolving Middle East policy

By Atlantic Council

China Economy & Business

In the News

Jan 31, 2022

Warrick on NBC to discuss Afghan refugees

By Atlantic Council

Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Thomas Warrick discusses the progress of the White House and DHS in helping Afghan refugees.

Afghanistan Crisis Management

In the News

Jan 31, 2022

Sadat joins Defense and Aerospace Report’s podcast on defense budgeting

By Atlantic Council

Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Mir Sadat discusses the defense budget on a Defense and Aerospace Report podcast episode.

Defense Industry Economy & Business

In the News

Jan 31, 2022

Simonyi Quoted in The Guardian on Orbán’s Moscow Visit
Eastern Europe Geopolitics & Energy Security

In the News

Jan 31, 2022

Crouch in DODReads on “The ever-shrinking fighting force”

By Atlantic Council

Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Lt Col Matthew Crouch reviews "The ever-shrinking fighting force" in DODReads.

Defense Industry United States and Canada

In the News

Jan 31, 2022

Eftimiades in the Epoch Times on espionage at the Olympics

By Atlantic Council

Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Nicholas Eftimiades quoted in Epoch Times on Chinese espionage at winter Olympics.

China Cybersecurity
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