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.

view all Program impact stories

Latest commentary and analysis

UkraineAlert

Jul 9, 2026

NATO summit dashes Putin’s hopes of outlasting the West in Ukraine

By Peter Dickinson

This week's NATO summit in Ankara focused on demonstrating a united front in support of Ukraine. This was a major blow for Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, who still hopes Western disunity can hand Russia victory in Ukraine, writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict Defense Policy

EnergySource

Jul 9, 2026

Five lessons from the oil market shock

By Ben Cahill

The past four months of the Hormuz crisis have surprised energy analysts. Taking stock of the impacts hints at structural changes to come.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Jul 8, 2026

Braw in Foreign Policy on European response to Russia’s shadow fleet

By Elisabeth Braw

On July 8, Transatlantic Security Initiative senior fellow Elisabeth Braw published an article in Foreign Policy discussing how European governments need to respond to Russia arming its shadow fleet.

Europe & Eurasia Maritime Security
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Latest in-depth research and reports

Issue Brief

Jul 7, 2026

AI is the next major biodefense tech priority

By the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense

Artificial intelligence is changing how biological threats can be created, detected, and countered.

Artificial Intelligence Security & Defense

Issue Brief

Jul 7, 2026

India’s AI playbook: From talent incubator to AI leader

By Trisha Ray

India’s AI talent ecosystem is rapidly growing but faces structural gaps.

Artificial Intelligence India

In-Depth Research & Reports

Jul 6, 2026

A stronger Europe in NATO—the way forward

By Anna Wieslander and Louise Blomqvist

This report analyzes what a stronger Europe in NATO means in practice, how European allies can take greater responsibility without weakening the cohesion of the Alliance, and what role Sweden can play.

Northern Europe Security & Defense
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Content

In the News

Feb 4, 2022

Grundman in DefenseNews on recent DoD hypersonics forum

By Atlantic Council

Forward Defense senior fellow Steven Grundman speaks with DefenseNews about a recent DoD hypersonics forum.

Defense Industry Defense Policy

In the News

Feb 4, 2022

Sullivan in Arab News: The future of energy is exciting, and it is time to grow up
Energy Transitions Middle East

In the News

Feb 4, 2022

O’Toole featured in NPR The World discussing SWIFT and sanctioning Russia

Listen to the podcast here.

Economy & Business Financial Regulation

In the News

Feb 4, 2022

Asat quoted in USA Today on China abuse of Uyghurs and Beijing Games

By Atlantic Council

China Human Rights

In the News

Feb 4, 2022

Slavin quoted in France24 on the waiving of Iran sanctions and US-Iran negotiations

By Atlantic Council

Iran Middle East

In the News

Feb 4, 2022

Slavin quoted in Al Jazeera on U.S easing sanctions on Iran

By Atlantic Council

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Iran

In the News

Feb 4, 2022

O’Toole and Fried featured in the Washington Post on the impact of US sanctions on Russia

Read the full article here.

China Economy & Business

In the News

Feb 3, 2022

Amb Siddique in the American Bazaar

By Atlantic Council

Economy & Business

In the News

Feb 3, 2022

Polymeropoulos on Danger Close podcast to discuss his CIA experience

By Atlantic Council

Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Marc Polymeropoulos joins the Danger Close podcast for a discussion on his experience in the CIA.

Intelligence Terrorism

In the News

Feb 3, 2022

Garlauskas featured in Reuters on North Korea’s recent missile launches

On January 31, Markus Garlauskas, Nonresident Senior Fellow at Asia Security Initiative, was featured in Reuters on the evaluation of North Korea’s recent missile launches. Markus stated, “The world’s distraction on other issues actually seems to be working to North Korea’s benefit right now.” However, he also firmly pointed out the wide misconception that the missile […]

China Conflict
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