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

UkraineAlert

May 6, 2026

Ukrainian battlefield gains expose Russia’s communications problems

By Miro Sedlák

Ukraine has demonstrated in recent months that it is capable of exploiting weaknesses in Russia’s front line defenses. Kyiv’s allies should now seek to prioritize the tools that will identify and exacerbate these weak points, writes Miro Sedlák.

Conflict Cybersecurity

EnergySource

May 6, 2026

Fortifying US national security with a hidden energy advantage

By Sudeep Kanungo, Ryan J. Lamke, and Troy Warshel

Developing new underground energy resources—geothermal and geologic hydrogen—could bolster both US energy security and its national defense. Here's how Congress can enable this.

Energy & Environment Renewables & Advanced Energy

Podcast

May 5, 2026

Are we headed toward a US-China trade showdown?

By the GeoEconomics Center

With US President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing less than two weeks away, Josh and Jessie sit down with the Wall Street Journal’s chief China correspondent, Lingling Wei, to break down what issues will shape the agenda: from the Iran war to Washington’s push for “rules of origin,” which could fundamentally reshape trade relations. They also dig into the backroom drama of past high-level visits, including shouting matches and fistfights.

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Latest in-depth research and reports

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

Issue Brief

Apr 30, 2026

How Colombia can reduce security threats ahead of its presidential election

By the US–Colombia Strategic Alignment Coalition

Though Colombia's recent legislative elections were largely peaceful, the security environment has worsened in recent weeks amid death threats against candidates and escalating violence by armed groups. The upcoming weeks present a narrow, but critical, window to reduce risks ahead of the May 31 presidential election.

Americas Civil Society

Issue Brief

Apr 29, 2026

Does liberal democracy drive inequalities?

By Yi Zhou

There has been much debate about the relationship between liberal democracy and social and economic inequality, but data shows that free societies remain more equal than their less free counterparts.

Freedom and Prosperity Inclusive Growth
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Content

In the News

Nov 13, 2020

Ashford quoted in The Daily Beast: She Helped Escalate an Endless War. Will She End It?

By Atlantic Council

Emma Ashford was quoted in The Daily Beast story about the possibilities of Michele Flournoy becoming the next Secretary of Defense and concerns she will push a Biden administration to be interventionist. More about our expert

Defense Policy Security & Defense

In the News

Nov 13, 2020

Hasik moderates Acquisition Talk podcast discussion on intellectual property

By Atlantic Council

On November 13,Forward Defense Nonresident Senior Fellow James Hasik moderated a panel on the Acquisition Talk podcast titled “Intellectual Property in Defense Contracts.”

Defense Industry Defense Technologies

In the News

Nov 12, 2020

Hudson quoted in Der Spiegel on the implications of conflict breaking out in Tigray

By Atlantic Council

Africa Conflict

In the News

Nov 12, 2020

Current and former House Homeland Security Committee Chairs join Future of DHS Project Senior Advisory Board of former and acting DHS Secretaries in call for DHS oversight reform

By Atlantic Council

On November 12, House Committee on Homeland Security current and former Chairs sent a bipartisan letter to House leadership urging them to support the expansion of the committee's jurisdiction to ensure necessary oversight of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This action follows a similar letter signed by the Future of DHS Project Senior Advisory Board made up of six former and acting Secretaries of Homeland Security.

Defense Policy National Security

In the News

Nov 12, 2020

Data Trusts: The key to better AI

By Atlantic Council

"The journey to becoming a data-driven organization fit for the emerging AI economy is long and arduous. Data trusts are an opportunity for collaboration between organizations to make that journey faster, less costly, and less risky. And they can make data-monetization rewards more handsome by co-developing marketable AI applications and giving third parties controlled access to members’ data. Moreover, as we discovered during our pilot, a data trust can also help inspire creativity, cross-functional collaboration, and innovation, and can attract digital talent. As wearables, smart appliances, and 5G networks proliferate and combine into the “Intelligent Internet of Things,” data sharing and collaboration will become the norm. Data trusts can help companies make the leap to this new era."

Cybersecurity Digital Policy

In the News

Nov 12, 2020

Snegovaya featured on the Russia File podcast to break down media dynamics in Russian politics

By Atlantic Council

Elections Media

In the News

Nov 12, 2020

VETERANS DAY 2020 film featured in multiple outlets

By Atlantic Council

The Atlantic Council's premiere of "Veterans Day 2020," written by Nonresident Senior Fellow Michelle Kholos Brooks and produced by Senior Fellow Steven Grundman, was featured in a variety of news outlets, theater sites, and veterans service organizations.

Afghanistan Conflict

Future of DHS

Nov 12, 2020

Warrick mentioned in Politico article on election transition

By Atlantic Council

On November 12, Forward Defense Nonresident Senior Fellow Thomas Warrick was mentioned in a Politico article highlighting a letter signed by over 150 former national security officials warning the government of the serious national security risk posed by the delay in recognizing President-Elect Biden.

Democratic Transitions Disinformation

In the News

Nov 12, 2020

Fontenrose quoted in The Times of Israel on US-MENA policy in the final days of the Trump administration
Elections Israel

In the News

Nov 12, 2020

Duclos quoted in the Atlantic on European independence
Europe & Eurasia Middle East
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