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.

Read our annual report
Learn more

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

Download PDF
Read the essays
sign up for more

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.

view all Program impact stories

Latest commentary and analysis

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

UkraineAlert

May 4, 2026

Zelenskyy rains on Putin’s parade: Kyiv and Moscow declare rival ceasefires

By Peter Dickinson

Victory Day was supposed to be an opportunity for Vladimir Putin to project power. Instead, this year’s drastically scaled down parade is exposing Russia’s weakness while revealing Ukraine's strength, writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict Drones
View all commentary & analysis

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
View all In-depth Research & reports

Content

In the News

Nov 4, 2020

Lipner quoted in Forward on US-Israel relations in light of the 2020 election
Elections Israel

In the News

Nov 3, 2020

Yellen in Green Tech Media: How China came to dominate clean energy technologies, and how the US can catch up
China Energy & Environment

In the News

Nov 3, 2020

Lipner in Foreign Policy: Has Trump Been Good for Israel?
Elections Israel

In the News

Nov 3, 2020

Qaddour joins Al Arabiya to discuss the Syrian American vote in the 2020 election
Elections Middle East

In the News

Nov 3, 2020

Cole authors preface of US Marine Corps University graphic novel

By Atlantic Council

On November 3, Marine Corps University released a graphic novel exploring the future of the Marine Corps titled “Destination Unknown, Volume 2.” Forward Defense Nonresident Senior Fellow August Cole authored the preface and served as a writing mentor for this project.

Conflict Defense Policy

In the News

Nov 2, 2020

Ferziger in TRENDS Research and Advisory: Trump-Biden election presents stark contrast in Mideast peace outlook
Elections Middle East

In the News

Nov 2, 2020

Kadhim in the Arab Center DC: Mustafa al-Kadhimi’s Iraq: Challenges and Prospects
Democratic Transitions Iraq

In the News

Nov 2, 2020

Hasik cited in the Space Review

By Atlantic Council

On November 2, an article in the Space Review titled "The Green New Deal for space" cited Forward Defense Nonresident Senior Fellow James Hasik's report on “The Precision Revolution: GPS and the Future of Aerial Warfare." The article outlines how space is an essential element of the Green New Deal, specifically referencing GPS capabilities in this domain.

Defense Technologies Economy & Business

In the News

Nov 2, 2020

Slavin quoted in the Jewish News Syndicate on US-Iran relations in light of the 2020 election
Elections Iran

In the News

Nov 2, 2020

Grand in American Purpose: Picking Up The Pieces
Middle East Politics & Diplomacy
Load More