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

Mar 31, 2021

Garlauskas quoted in Vox on North Korea’s intentions behind missile tests

Markus Garlauskas was quoted in a Vox article published on March 25 saying, “These launches are not a cry for attention, nor are they a cry for help with North Korea’s broken economy. Such launches are a sign of North Korea’s clear determination to continue advancing its ballistic-missile programs as part of making good on […]

Korea Nuclear Deterrence

In the News

Mar 31, 2021

Garlauskas quoted in Reuters on North Korea’s latest ballistic missile tests

Markus Garlauskas was quoted in a Reuters article published on March 24, 2021 for his comments on how it would be a mistake for the Biden administration to ignore North Korea’s ballistic missile tests regardless of their range. “Downplaying North Korean ballistic missile tests will not help U.S. diplomacy with North Korea in any way, […]

Korea Nuclear Deterrence

In the News

Mar 31, 2021

Khan on gender equality: Gender Equality in a COVID-19 World: Actions in Pakistan
Pakistan Resilience & Society

In the News

Mar 31, 2021

Tarun Wadhwa on why the world must find a way to govern tech better

By the GeoTech Center

GeoTech Fellow Tarun Wadhwa on the need for an international regulatory response to the development and usage of new technologies in the world in the years to come.

Digital Policy Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Mar 30, 2021

Hu interviewed by Government Matters on need for diversity

By Atlantic Council

Forward Defense Nonresident Senior Fellow Evanna Hu published an article in the Hill titled "Defense acquisition reform is critical going forward."

Civil Society Coronavirus

In the News

Mar 30, 2021

Slavin quoted in Responsible Statecraft on the Biden administration’s take on Iran
Democratic Transitions Iran

In the News

Mar 30, 2021

Darnal on Search For Common Ground’s panel: ‘Real Talk’: the hard choices that women peacebuilders face

By Atlantic Council

On March 30, Aude Darnal participated in Search’s panel “Real Talk: the Hard Choices that Women Peacebuilders Face”. She discussed her experience as a female peacebuilder, and shed some light on overlooked issues related to women’s engagement in peacebuilding and conflict. “Women all over the world are dedicating their lives to building peace and ending […]

Africa Conflict

In the News

Mar 30, 2021

Alexander Ruiz with Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security: National strategy to combat disinformation around COVID-19 and future pandemics

By the GeoTech Center

Nonresident Senior Fellow Alex Ruiz in a report on the need to adopt a national strategy to combat misinformation and disinformation around COVID-19 and future public health threats.

Digital Policy Disinformation

In the News

Mar 30, 2021

Lakhani joins Clubhouse to discuss Bitcoin, cryptocurrency, and Pakistan

By Atlantic Council

Digital Policy Economy & Business

In the News

Mar 30, 2021

Samad joins Tolo News to discuss peace talks in Turkey

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Dari
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