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

Nov 9, 2026

Why Belgrade’s new government should not let the Vertical Gas Corridor slip

By Olivier Van Pelt

Serbia’s incoming government should stay the course on the Vertical Gas Corridor to advance economic growth, energy security, and market transparency in line with the Student List’s reform agenda.

Central Europe Energy & Environment

UkraineAlert

Nov 5, 2026

Putin suffers Balkan setbacks as Russia struggles to retain influence

By Michael Getto

Russia’s recent setbacks in the Balkans are a reminder of the foreign policy challenges facing the Kremlin as the full-scale invasion of Ukraine approaches a sixth year with no end in sight, writes Michael Getto.

Conflict Elections

UkraineAlert

Nov 5, 2026

Last week’s brief Ukraine ceasefire did not stop Russian attacks on civilians

By Kristina Hook

A recent humanitarian ceasefire around the southern Ukrainian city of Oleshky made it possible to evacuate hundreds of residents, but Russian attacks on civilians elsewhere in Ukraine continue, writes Kristina Hook.

Civil Society Conflict
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Latest in-depth research and reports

Report

Nov 10, 2026

Water infrastructure at the Mediterranean’s inflection point: Financing resilience for an industrializing, digitalizing region

By Hassan Tolba Aboelnga

Increasing demand, driven by industrialization and digital infrastructure, requires a region-wide rethinking of water planning and financing mechanisms.

Climate Change & Climate Action Egypt

Issue Brief

Nov 6, 2026

To settle Russia’s Ukraine war, Europe needs to let Kyiv in. Trump can help (really).

By James Batchik, Andrew D’Anieri

Any deal to end the war in Ukraine must fix a date for Kyiv to join the EU, but countless hurdles stand in the way. Washington has the leverage to help Brussels clear them—if it can use that leverage in a new way.

European Union Political Reform

Report

Nov 3, 2026

Religion as statecraft: What a decade of research reveals about the geopolitics of religious soft power

By Peter Mandaville

The post-Cold War assumption that international politics was converging toward a secular liberal framework in which religion would play at most a marginal role has not survived contact with the evidence. From China to Turkey to Saudi Arabia and Russia, states are integrating religion into their foreign policy in strategically significant ways.

China India
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Content

In the News

Dec 14, 2020

Ashford at CSIS: A new era for US alliances

By Atlantic Council

Emma Ashford joined CSIS international security program for an online event that examined the challenges and opportunities for the U.S.-led system of alliances in the next decade and beyond. The Global Security Forum 2020 considered alliance dynamics for three scenarios: a climate change catastrophe, a Chinese blockade of Taiwan, and military escalation after Russian interference […]

East Asia International Norms

Insights & Impact

Dec 13, 2020

Ali in Formiche: What will not remain of Donald Trump
Democratic Transitions Elections

Insights & Impact

Dec 13, 2020

Mezran quoted in The Hill on Israel-Morocco normalization
Israel Middle East

In the News

Dec 13, 2020

Bell and Yellen quoted in ABC News on green hydrogen
Energy Transitions Renewables & Advanced Energy

In the News

Dec 12, 2020

Burrows and Manning in The Hill: 6 policy don’ts for Joe Biden

By Atlantic Council

China Economy & Business

In the News

Dec 12, 2020

Khakova quoted in Voice of America on Nord Stream 2
Europe & Eurasia Geopolitics & Energy Security

Insights & Impact

Dec 11, 2020

Arbit quoted in TRT World on Israel-Morocco normalization
Israel Middle East

Insights & Impact

Dec 11, 2020

Slavin joins CGTN to discuss US-Iran tensions
Iran Middle East

In the News

Dec 11, 2020

Friedlander tells Vox of ties between the Magnitsky Act and the Biden administration

By Julia Friedlander

Read the full article here.

Europe & Eurasia Human Rights

In the News

Dec 11, 2020

Lipner quoted in CGTN on Morocco-Israel normalization
Israel Middle East
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