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

MENASource

May 8, 2026

New avenues for Syria-EU cooperation are forming amid conflict in the Middle East

By Marie Forestier 

The May 11 EU-Syria High-Level Political Dialogue marks a step toward a closer partnership.

Energy & Environment European Union

UkraineAlert

May 7, 2026

Putin is dragging Belarus deeper into Russia’s Ukraine invasion

By Hanna Liubakova

Belarus may not currently be poised to join the invasion of Ukraine, but Vladimir Putin is clearly intent on dragging the country deeper into Russia’s war effort, writes Hanna Liubakova.

Belarus Conflict

Econographics

May 7, 2026

As the Trump-Xi summit draws closer, trade uncertainty still looms large

By Jessie Yin

What China and the United States manage to agree on in Beijing on key export controls or purchase agreements will significantly shape the Trump administration’s approach to rebuilding its tariff wall.

China Economy & Business
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Latest in-depth research and reports

Issue Brief

May 7, 2026

The new playbook for AI leadership: The case of the United Arab Emirates

By Trisha Ray, Ryan Pan, Raul Brens Jr.

This report is the first in a series by the Atlantic Council’s GeoTech Center assessing emerging artificial intelligence (AI) powers around the world according to a novel five-pillar framework.

Artificial Intelligence Middle East

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
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Content

In the News

Dec 18, 2021

Katz in National Interest: Has America’s Influence in the Middle East Really Declined?

By Atlantic Council

Defense Policy Democratic Transitions

In the News

Dec 17, 2021

The CBDC Tracker was featured in the New York Times on the future of money and the rising demand for CBDCs

By GeoEconomics Center

Read the full article here

Digital Currencies Economy & Business

In the News

Dec 17, 2021

The CBDC Tracker was featured in Forkast on the Federal Reserve other Big Four central banks concerning CBDC development

By GeoEconomics Center

Read the full article here

Digital Currencies Economy & Business

In the News

Dec 17, 2021

Kroenig and Ashford reflect on US foreign policy in 2021 and debate the year ahead

By Atlantic Council

On December 17, Foreign Policy published a biweekly column featuring Scowcroft Center deputy director Matthew Kroenig and New American Engagement Initiative senior fellow Emma Ashford assessing the latest news in international affairs. In their last column of 2021, they reflect on major foreign policy events that shaped the year, debate the limits of US power and leadership, […]

Afghanistan Arms Control

In the News

Dec 16, 2021

Drun quoted in Nikkei Asia: The Kuomintang, Taiwan’s opposition, returns to a wary Washington

By Atlantic Council

On December 16, 2021, Jessica Drun was quoted in a Nikkei Asia article, “The Kuomintang, Taiwan’s opposition, returns to a wary Washington.” “The primary goal for the new office in DC is messaging — the KMT wants a direct, on-the-ground channel to area policymakers and think tanks so that it can better convey its viewpoints,” […]

China Taiwan

In the News

Dec 16, 2021

Shahid with The Daily Star: Retracing the 1971 exodus

By Atlantic Council

Indo-Pacific South Asia

In the News

Dec 16, 2021

Shahid with Kaler Kantho: This ban is not at the political level

By Atlantic Council

Indo-Pacific South Asia

In the News

Dec 16, 2021

Nabi in The San Francisco Chronicle: Americans don’t trust the CDC. Here’s how to change that with omicron

In the News

Dec 16, 2021

Katz quoted in VOA to discuss China and Russia’s recent summit

By Atlantic Council

Defense Policy Human Rights

In the News

Dec 15, 2021

Handler in Lawfare: The strategic intelligence value of ransomware

By Atlantic Council

Cyber Statecraft Initiative Fellow Simon Handler explains that focusing on ransomware as criminal activity overlooks the real strategic value these operations can provide their owners.

Conflict Cybersecurity
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