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

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.

MENASource

May 5, 2026

Dispatch from Beirut: Israel-Hezbollah talks risk falling into a failed, decades-long pattern

By Nicholas Blanford

As the war with Israel revives Hezbollah and divides Lebanon, the ongoing negotiations echo failed 1983 talks.

Conflict Israel
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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 9, 2020

Kadhim quoted in Al Jazeera on what a Biden administration means for the US-Iraq relations
Elections Iraq

In the News

Nov 9, 2020

Sipher and Polymeropoulos in Just Security: A letter to President-elect Biden on restoring relations with the intelligence community

By Atlantic Council

Intelligence Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Nov 9, 2020

Lipner quoted in Foreign Policy on the the US presidential election
Elections Israel

In the News

Nov 8, 2020

Bryza joins VOA Russia to discuss relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia
Eastern Europe Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Nov 8, 2020

Ferziger in Foreign Policy: UAE, Bahrain Brace for a Chillier Biden Approach
Elections Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

In the News

Nov 8, 2020

Manning in East Asia Forum: A Biden presidency’s impact on the Asia Pacific

By Atlantic Council

Arms Control China

In the News

Nov 7, 2020

Busch in The Hill: Biden must do better than Trump’s tariffs in challenging China on intellectual property

By Marc L. Busch

Marc Busch offers two policy proposals that President-Elect Biden could use to move beyond President Trump's tariffs on China and towards a solution that prioritizes intellectual property rights. writes that a recent case by a US company against President Trump's tariffs on China puts an unflattering light on the President's tariff narrative.

China Economy & Business

In the News

Nov 7, 2020

Biberman quoted in RadioFreeEurope on possible divisions within the Taliban

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Security & Defense

In the News

Nov 7, 2020

Pavel interviewed by TRT World on international implications of a Biden administration

By Atlantic Council

On November 7, Director of the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Barry Pavel discussed what the Biden administration means for international affairs on Turkish international news channel TRT World. Pavel commented on how the Biden administration will respond to great-power competitors, nuclear proliferation, and climate change.

China Climate Change & Climate Action

In the News

Nov 7, 2020

Nawaz quoted in The Express Tribune on the impact of the US Election on US-Pakistan relations

By Atlantic Council

Elections Pakistan
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