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.

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

Explore the podcast series

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.

Latest commentary and analysis

Latest in-depth research and reports

Content

In the News

Mar 18, 2026

Charai for The National Interest: Why Iran Was Always a Threat to the US

By Atlantic Council

Iran Maritime Security

In the News

Mar 18, 2026

Lipsky quoted in AFP article on how Trump’s 60-day waiver on the Jones Act is unlikely to have major effect on energy prices, but may signal longer conflict

Read the full article here.

In the News

Mar 17, 2026

Lipsky cited in Reuters article on how a proposed month’s delay to Trump’s China trip signals intent to focus meetings away from the war in Iran

Read the full article here.

In the News

Mar 16, 2026

Peterson in the Washington Post: I’ve seen several types of warfare. This is the worst.

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Mar 16, 2026

Donovan’s 2025 testimony on Iran’s laundering of oil proceeds in renminbi (RMB) cited in USCC China-Iran primer

Read the full primer here.

In the News

Mar 16, 2026

Costa in the Washington Post on military readiness in Iran

By Atlantic Council

On March 16, Forward Defense Director Joe Costa published an article in the Washington Post on the impacts of the war in Iran on US military readiness. Writing alongside Ely Ratner of the Marathon Initiative, Costa argues that the threat to readiness runs deeper than depleted stockpiles—deferred maintenance, equipment cannibalization, and broken dwell-to-deploy thresholds threaten […]

China Defense Policy

In the News

Mar 16, 2026

Kroenig interviewed on CNN on US action in Iran

By Atlantic Council

On March 13, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was interviewed on CNN on US action in Iran, arguing that President Trump is weakening the axis of aggressors and has clear strategic vision.

Iran Maritime Security

In the News

Mar 14, 2026

Kroenig quoted in The Atlantic on Trump’s foreign policy

By Atlantic Council

On March 13, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was quoted in The Atlantic about Trump's foreign policy.

Politics & Diplomacy United States and Canada

In the News

Mar 13, 2026

Lichfield quoted in Les Echos article on the success of America’s military operation in Iran vs. its lack of consideration for the aftermath

Read the full article here.

In the News

Mar 13, 2026

Charai for The Jerusalem Strategic Tribune: JD Vance and the Strategic Logic of Trump’s Foreign Policy

By Atlantic Council

Americas Middle East