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 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

MENASource

May 4, 2026

Syria needs a trustworthy digital ecosystem to support its revival

By Nadia Farra

Robust digital infrastructure, digital literacy, and cybersecurity are no longer luxuries for high-income nations but fundamental requirements for national stability and economic resilience.

Freedom and Prosperity Inclusive Growth

EnergySource

May 4, 2026

Chinese electric vehicle exports rise amid the oil crisis, posing a dilemma for importing countries

By Joseph Webster and Tony Jing

China is exporting a large number of electric vehicles around the world amid today's oil shock. The cars' internet connectivity, however, could make importers vulnerable to cyberattacks.

China Energy & Environment
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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

Oct 19, 2020

Garlauskas lists key takeaways of North Korea’s military parade for US policymakers

By Atlantic Council

On October 19, NK News published an article by Markus Garlauskas, the former US National Intelligence Officer for North Korea and nonresident senior fellow with the Asia Security Initiative, that outlines key takeaways from North Korea’s October military parade for US policymakers. In particular, Garlauskas points out 1) Kim Jong-un believes time is on his […]

Defense Policy East Asia

In the News

Oct 18, 2020

Slavin quoted by Mehr News Agency on Trump’s Iran policy
Iran Middle East

In the News

Oct 18, 2020

Deputy Director Julia Friedlander and Ambassador Fried Quoted in New York Times on Trump’s Sanctions

By Julia Friedlander, Daniel Fried

Read the full article here.

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion United States and Canada

In the News

Oct 18, 2020

Slavin quoted in CNN on US sanctions on Iran
Iran Middle East

In the News

Oct 17, 2020

Nawaz quoted in Pledge Times on Operation Gulmarg and Jammu & Kashmir

By Atlantic Council

Conflict India

In the News

Oct 17, 2020

Hudson quoted in RFI on the announcement of Sudan’s normalization of relations with Israel

By Atlantic Council

Africa Israel

In the News

Oct 17, 2020

Slavin quoted in ABC on Iran’s “third wave” of COVID-19
Coronavirus Iran

In the News

Oct 17, 2020

McFate joins Sveriges Radio to discuss the rise of mercenaries and private military companies

By Atlantic Council

Defense Industry Security & Defense

In the News

Oct 17, 2020

Kroenig presents on great power rivalry for Savannah Council on World Affairs

By Atlantic Council

On October 15, Matthew Kroenig gave a virtual presentation for the Savannah Council on World Affairs. He spoke about the ideas in his book: The Return of the Great Power Rivalry: Democracy versus Autocracy from the Ancient World to the US and China.

China Economy & Business

In the News

Oct 17, 2020

Nawaz quoted in the Hindustan Times on Operation Gulmarg and Jammu & Kashmir

By Atlantic Council

Conflict India
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