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 2, 2021

Schultz speaks with the Council on Foreign Relations on the future of Afghanistan

By Atlantic Council

Forward Defense Nonresident Senior Fellow Tammy S. Schultz moderates an event titled "Young Professionals briefing: the future of Afghanistan."

Afghanistan Democratic Transitions

In the News

Jun 2, 2021

Lt Col Mulder in the National Interest on foreign training programs

By Atlantic Council

Lt Col Mulder considers the value of training opportunities with allies in building a formidable military force.

Defense Policy National Security

In the News

Jun 1, 2021

Lipner joins Alhurra to discuss Likud failing to block the formation of a government of change

By Atlantic Council

Arabic Corruption

In the News

Jun 1, 2021

IranSource mentioned in The Jerusalem Post on Soleimani’s death

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Defense Policy

In the News

Jun 1, 2021

Nawaz joins Dawn News to discuss Pakistan’s role in US-Afghanistan relations

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Conflict

In the News

Jun 1, 2021

Nather in CSO: defining linchpins an industry perspective on remediating Sunburst

The Sunburst campaign underscored the inherent risk of technology to the public and private organizations who use it. It is important to examine what happened, look for opportunities to improve, and move forward. The Atlantic Council’s latest report “Broken Trust: Lessons from Sunburst” introduces the concept of “linchpins,” which it defines as “widely used software with significant permissions … on […]

Cybersecurity

In the News

May 31, 2021

Badi quoted in Middle East Eye on the complications headed into the run-up of Libya’s election

By Atlantic Council

Elections Libya

In the News

May 31, 2021

Mezran quoted in Formiche on Dabaiba’s role

By Atlantic Council

Economy & Business Italian

In the News

May 31, 2021

Cooper in War on the Rocks on Memorial Day

By Atlantic Council

Forward Defense Nonresident Senior Fellow Scott Cooper publishes an article in War on the Rocks titled "The risks of Memorial Day not being personal."

Civil Society National Security

In the News

May 31, 2021

Burrows quoted in the Financial Times: How Biden came around to the Wuhan lab-leak theory

By Atlantic Council

On May 31, Dr. Mathew Burrows was quoted in a Financial Times article about Biden’s decision to direct intelligence services to investigate the origins of COVID.

China Coronavirus
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