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.

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

Issue Brief

Mar 20, 2026

Aquatic Tiger: How long-range submarine drones could play a role in a Taiwan conflict

By Markus Garlauskas with contributions from Drew Holliday, Adam Kozloski, Nicholas Takeuchi, and Paul Vebber

Could submarine drones help the United States deter or counter a Chinese attack on Taiwan? The Aquatic Tiger wargame was designed to find out. The Atlantic Council's Indo-Pacific Security Initiative reports on the wargame's findings, with implications for the US government, the defense industry, and more. 

Conflict Defense Technologies

Issue Brief

Mar 19, 2026

Federal agencies under pressure need smarter systems, not tougher people

By Caitlin Thompson

Resilience is an important trait for national security practitioners, but it is not a solution for problems with agency and department design. Better systems and strategies can ensure that individuals are fully prepared and ready to respond to crises, rather than consistently under strain.

National Security Resilience

Freedom and Prosperity Around the World

Mar 18, 2026

Italy faces a dangerous gap between stability on paper and citizens’ lived experience

By Massimo Morelli

Giorgia Meloni’s three-year tenure as prime minister is unusually long by recent Italian standards. As her government faces its biggest test yet with a referendum on judicial reforms, what explains Meloni’s relative stability—and the frequent turnover that preceded it? A deep dive into economic and political indicators sheds light on Italy’s path forward.

Elections Fiscal and Structural Reform

Content

In the News

Feb 19, 2026

Temnycky in Forbes on Europe’s move to phase out Russian LNG in 2026

By Mark Temnycky

On January 7, Mark Temnycky, nonresident fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center, was published in Forbes on Europe’s plan to strengthen its energy markets and phase out Russian LNG in 2026. 

Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Feb 19, 2026

High North workshop report released

On December 10, 2025, the Northern Europe Office organized a workshop in collaboration with the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The workshop focused on the High North in a new strategic context, with the purpose of analyzing how the changing security situation in the Arctic and the North Atlantic affects stability, deterrence and cooperation in […]

Northern Europe Security & Defense

In the News

Feb 18, 2026

Kroenig interviewed on NHK Japan Broadcasting on the expiration of New START

By Atlantic Council

On February 13, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was interviewed on NHK Japan Broadcasting about the expiration of New START and implications for the US and its allies.

Nuclear Deterrence Security & Defense

In the News

Feb 18, 2026

Kroenig quoted in The Guardian on Secretary Rubio’s speech at the Munich Security Conference

By Atlantic Council

On February 17, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was quoted in The Guardian on Secretary of State Marco Rubio's speech at the Munich Security Conference.

Europe & Eurasia Security & Defense

In the News

Feb 17, 2026

Klein quoted in Forbes article on Russian escalation in space

By Atlantic Council

On February 14, Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow John Klein was quoted in a Forbes article on the threat posed by a Russian nuclear-armed ASAT and the need to develop adequate countermeasures. Dr. Klein discussed his recent Atlantic Council report, co-authored with Clementine Starling-Daniels, on Countering Russian escalation in space, and urged US defense planners […]

Russia Space Security

In the News

Feb 15, 2026

Wieslander on Swedish television

On Sunday, February 15, Director for Northern Europe, Anna Wieslander, appeared on a special news broadcast on Swedish National Television about the European security environment in light of the Munich Security Conference. Following her attendance at the conference, Wieslander was featured as one of the experts responding to questions submitted by the public. Commenting on […]

Northern Europe Security & Defense

In the News

Feb 15, 2026

Ahmed Charai for The Jerusalem Strategic Tribune: Iran at the Edge: Pressure, Transition, and the Responsibility of Clarity

By Atlantic Council

Democratic Transitions Iran

In the News

Feb 13, 2026

Kroenig quoted in Semafor on the future of US-Europe relations

By Atlantic Council

On February 13, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was quoted in Semafor on the future of US-Europe relations, arguing that the US will continue to play a leadership role, even as Europe works to bolster its autonomy.

Europe & Eurasia NATO

In the News

Feb 13, 2026

Wieslander on Times Radio

While participating at the 2026 Munich Security Conference, Anna Wieslander, Director for Northern Europe, appeared on Times Radio to discuss the state of transatlantic security ties. Drawing on discussions at the conference, Wieslander notes a more constructive attitude of how to practically work forward, rather than a prevailing “Europe alone” sentiment. At the same time, […]

NATO Northern Europe

In the News

Feb 13, 2026

Wieslander published in Euractiv

On Friday, February 13, Anna Wieslander, Director for Northern Europe, had her co-authored op-ed, “The US wants a Europe-led NATO. Europeans should start planning it,” published in Euractiv. In the article, Wieslander and Rachel Ellehuus, Director-General of the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), argues that Europe must urgently take action to strengthen its defence capabilities, rather […]

NATO Northern Europe