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

EnergySource

Jul 17, 2026

Backlash against data centers could cost the US its AI edge

By Jeannie Salo

As the race for AI supremacy grows, the US is facing backlash while trying to keep up with China.

Energy & Environment Technology & Innovation

Podcast

Jul 17, 2026

What’s old and new in the US economy at 250?

By the GeoEconomics Center

Just as the US celebrates its 250th birthday, some age-old economic debates are back in the spotlight: industrial policy, tariffs, and protectionism. Instead of a break from the past, are we witnessing the return to a more interventionist economic tradition? Rana Foroohar, global business columnist and associate editor at the Financial Times, joins Josh and Jessie for a tour de force through US economic history, from Hamilton to Reagan to Trump II.

UkraineAlert

Jul 16, 2026

Ukraine’s tech-savvy defense minister ousted in clash with army old guard

By Peter Dickinson

President Zelenskyy's decision to side with the army old guard and oust Ukraine's tech-savvy Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has sparked a political crisis and raised questions over the country's future direction, writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict Defense Policy
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Latest in-depth research and reports

Report

Jul 16, 2026

Artificial intelligence and the future of African mining

By Anthony Carroll and Jef Karel Caers

Artificial intelligence and digitalization offer African states, the United States, and allied partners an opportunity to move beyond legacy constraints and one-sided partnerships in the mining sector.

Africa Artificial Intelligence

Report

Jul 15, 2026

2026 Freedom and Prosperity Indexes: The legal foundations that enable prosperity are rapidly eroding

By Ignacio Campomanes, Nina Dannaoui-Johnson, Annie (Yu-Lin) Lee, James Mazzarella

Adherence to the rule of law has declined sharply since 2020. Drawing on thirty years of data across 171 countries, the 2026 Freedom and Prosperity Indexes show why that matters: without strong legal foundations, economic reforms stall, democracies erode, and prosperity stays out of reach for millions.

Freedom and Prosperity Rule of Law

Issue Brief

Jul 7, 2026

AI is the next major biodefense tech priority

By the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense

Artificial intelligence is changing how biological threats can be created, detected, and countered.

Artificial Intelligence Security & Defense
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Content

In the News

May 4, 2021

Ashford and Burrows in World Politics Review: The rise of restraint is shaking up Washington

By Atlantic Council

On May 4, Mathew Burrows and Emma Ashford were cited in an article in World Politics Review that discussed the growth of the “restraint” community in Washington foreign policy, following their paper on US Russia policy. The WPR article references an email from Fred Kempe to the author, which made the point that the Atlantic […]

Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

May 3, 2021

Shullman and Kendall-Taylor in Foreign Affairs: China and Russia’s dangerous convergence

By Atlantic Council

On May 3, 2021, Foreign Affairs published an article by David O. Shullman and Andrea Kendall-Taylor, “China and Russia’s Dangerous Convergence.”

China Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

May 3, 2021

Crouch in Defense News on Taiwan

By Atlantic Council

On May 3, Forward Defense Senior Military Fellow Lt Col Matthew Crouch wrote an op-ed for Defense News on ambiguity surrounding the US commitment to Taiwan. Crouch argued that China is testing boundaries with President Biden, aiming to see the extent to which he would defend Taiwan; this will necessitate a firm stance on the part of the new administration.

China Defense Policy

In the News

May 3, 2021

Warrick testifies before Congress on TSA morale

By Atlantic Council

On May 3, Forward Defense Nonresident Senior Fellow Thomas Warrick testified before the Transportation & Maritime Security Subcommittee of the House Committee on Homeland Security. In his testimony, Warrick spoke on the decline in morale among the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), arguing in favor of The Rights for the TSA Workforce Act of 2021.

Political Reform Security & Defense

GeoTech Cues

May 3, 2021

Eric Rasmussen on the past, present, and future of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief

By Benjamin Schatz

GeoTech Center Action Council Member Dr. Eric Rasmussen writes a journal article entitled "Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief: A Cultural Journey of Applied Hope," on the history and future of disaster response.

Climate Change & Climate Action Human Rights

In the News

May 3, 2021

How does big tech impact U.S. national security?

By Borja Prado

Tarun Wadhwa, Nonresident Fellow at the GeoTech Center, participated in a recent Foreign Affairs survey on the relationship between big tech companies and US national security.

Economy & Business Entrepreneurship

In the News

May 2, 2021

Garlauskas quoted in Reuters on Biden’s emerging North Korea policy

Markus Garlauskas was quoted in a Reuters article published on May 2 that discussed North Korea’s response to Biden’s emerging North Korea policy. Garlauskas pointed to the wide gulf that still exists between Washington and Pyongyang, saying that while Kim Jong Un neither wants to give up nuclear weapons or reform North Korea’s political system, […]

Arms Control Korea

In the News

May 1, 2021

Cole and Brooks in Essence of Wonder on Star Wars and strategy

By Atlantic Council

Forward Defense Nonresident Senior Fellows Max Brooks and August Cole simplify complex military strategy by using concepts from the well-known Star Wars saga on Essence of Wonder.

Media Security & Defense

In the News

Apr 30, 2021

Lipner quoted in Jewish Insider on Biden’s first 100 day in office

By Atlantic Council

Israel Middle East

In the News

Apr 30, 2021

GeoEconomics Center’s CBDC tracker cited in Telegraph piece on Britcoin

By Josh Lipsky, Ole Moehr, Nitya Biyani, Niels Graham

Read it here.  

Financial Regulation United Kingdom
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