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

Podcast

May 8, 2026

So What’s the Strategy for China?

By the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Host Matthew Kroenig is joined by Kurt Campbell, chairman and co-founder of The Asia Group, to discuss former President Joe Biden’s strategy toward China, the Trump administration's strategic approach to Beijing, and Donald Trump’s upcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Campbell most recently served as the 22nd US deputy secretary of state. Previously, as assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, he was widely credited as the architect of the US “pivot to Asia.”

China Security & Defense

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
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Latest in-depth research and reports

Issue Brief

May 8, 2026

Can Friedrich Merz’s chancellorship survive?

By Phyllis Berry

One year into his chancellorship, Friedrich Merz heads a government beset by economic stagnation, low public approval, and coalition tensions.

Economy & Business Elections

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
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Content

In the News

Jun 14, 2021

Kadhim joins Dearborn Blog to discuss the Great Iraqi Revolt of 1920 and the formation of the state of Iraq hereafter

By Atlantic Council

Democratic Transitions Iraq

In the News

Jun 14, 2021

Wieslander as a panelist at the Brussels Forum – “Investing in Resilience”
Europe & Eurasia Security & Defense

In the News

Jun 13, 2021

Deni in the The Hill: Biden’s agenda in Geneva – remind Putin of consequences for Russian malign behavior

By John R. Deni

Deni writes in The Hill that there are two reasons why a US-Russia summit makes for good policy and good politics at this moment

Arms Control Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Jun 12, 2021

Eftimiades interviewed by Express on Chinese exploitation of UK technology

By Atlantic Council

Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Nicholas Eftimiades was interviewed by the Express on June 12. Eftimiades, a retired CIA officer of thirty years, warned that the United Kingdom's lack of strict technology export laws allowed British technology to fall into the hands of China.

China Economy & Business

In the News

Jun 12, 2021

Dr. David Bray judges the 2nd Annual STEM Writing Contest

By the GeoTech Center

GeoTech Center Director Dr. David Bray recently served as a judge for the 2nd Annual STEM Writing Contest. Jointly hosted by The New York Times and Science News, the contest challenges teenagers around the world to write a 500 word essay on any STEM-related issue. This year's essay topics ranged from using dogs to detect the scent of COVID-19 in asymptomatic carriers to novel desalination technologies.

Technology & Innovation

In the News

Jun 12, 2021

Busch in The Hill: Tariffs won’t make critical US supply chains more resilient

By Marc L. Busch

Marc Busch writes that in searching for resilience in the United States' supply chains, resorting to protectionist measures such as tariffs will undermine expected returns.

Economy & Business Resilience

In the News

Jun 12, 2021

Vershbow in POLITICO: Biden revels in Trump’s absence from the world stage

By Alexander Vershbow

Amb. Vershbow was quoted in POLITICO on European concerns over the tendencies that led to President Trump's election, and the unique approaches different European leaders are taking to President Biden.

Arms Control Eastern Europe

In the News

Jun 11, 2021

Katz in The National: “What U.S.-Soviet Strategic Arms Talks Reveal About the Iran Nuclear Deal”

By Atlantic Council

Iran Middle East

In the News

Jun 11, 2021

Vershbow in The New York Times: Biden aims to bolster US alliances in Europe, but challenges loom

By Alexander Vershbow

Ambassador Alexander Vershbow was quoted in the New York Times on the Biden-Putin Summit and how despite arguing over many things, the two leaders will continue the dialogue going forward.

Arms Control Eastern Europe

In the News

Jun 11, 2021

Fulton quoted in Bloomberg on the UAE’s relationship with China

By Atlantic Council

China Defense Technologies
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