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

Apr 19, 2021

John in Dark Reading: SolarWinds a catalyst for change and a cry for collaboration

The Sunburst campaign, which includes the SolarWinds incident, is not unique in its type or frequency. Supply-chain attacks have been happening more often over the past seven or so years. As adversaries continue to rapidly identify vulnerabilities, coupled with the world’s increased reliance on digital connectivity, we face mounting challenges in preventing, detecting, and responding […]

Cybersecurity

In the News

Apr 18, 2021

Peek in NY Daily News: “Salute Biden’s bravery on Afghanistan”
Afghanistan Conflict

In the News

Apr 18, 2021

Ferziger and Sievers in Foreign Policy: “For Arab Israelis, the New Peace Treaties Spell Opportunity”
Israel Middle East

In the News

Apr 16, 2021

Friedlander and O’Toole quoted in Washington Post on the history of US economic sanctions

By Brian O’Toole, Julia Friedlander

Read the full article here.

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion United States and Canada

In the News

Apr 16, 2021

Friedlander and Fried quoted in the Wall Street Journal on Nord Stream 2

By Daniel Fried, Julia Friedlander

Read the full article here.

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Geopolitics & Energy Security

In the News

Apr 16, 2021

Power Vertical Podcast: Dissidents and Exiles

By Atlantic Council

Corruption Political Reform

Article

Apr 16, 2021

Pavel and Burrows in CNN: There will be no graceful exit from the Covid-19 pandemic

By Barry Pavel, Mathew Burrows

"The US is the only country with the capacity and influence to lead the world in eradicating this historic pandemic."

Coronavirus English

D-10 Strategy Forum

Apr 16, 2021

Jain appears on Burn Bag Podcast to discuss D-10 Steering Committee

By Atlantic Council

On April 16, Scowcroft Center Senior Fellow Ash Jain appeared on the Burn Bag Podcast, which has partnered with the Scowcroft Center on the “100 Ideas for the First 100 Days” project, to discuss operationalizing the D-10 as a steering committee for the rules-based international order.

China Eastern Europe

In the News

Apr 16, 2021

Kroenig and Ashford debate US withdrawal from Afghanistan and Russia’s intentions behind a military buildup on the Ukrainian border

By Atlantic Council

On April 16, Foreign Policy published a biweekly column featuring Scowcroft Center deputy director Matthew Kroenig and New American Engagement Initiative senior fellow Emma Ashford discussing the latest news in international affairs. In this column, they discuss Biden’s plan to withdraw all US forces from Afghanistan by September 11, the significance of Russia military buildup on the border […]

Afghanistan Central Asia

In the News

Apr 15, 2021

Dagres quoted in Telegraph on Clubhouse and Iranian elections
Elections Iran
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