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 1, 2026

The IEA’s Fatih Birol on ‘the greatest energy security threat in history’

By The Atlantic Council

The war in Iran continues with no clear end in sight, fueling economic turbulence and concerns of a global energy crisis. International Energy Agency Executive Director Fatih Birol spoke at an AC Front Page event on April 13th, and argued the conflict is the greatest energy security threat in history. He warned that oil prices will soon “converge” with the on-the-ground reality, knocking the global economy further into disarray.

Economy & Business European Union

AfricaSource

May 1, 2026

What can save Mali from collapse?

By Hussein Ba and Rama Yade

The security situation in Mali is becoming critical in the wake of a large-scale, coordinated series of attacks across multiple cities on April 25.

Extremism North & West Africa

UkraineAlert

May 1, 2026

Europe needs Ukraine as it looks to counter growing Russian threat

By Zahar Hryniv

More than a year since Trump returned to the White House, it is clear that Europe needs to develop its own strategic vision for the continent’s defense. It is equally apparent that Ukraine must be central to this vision, writes Zahar Hryniv.

Conflict Defense Industry
View all commentary & analysis

Latest in-depth research and reports

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

Issue Brief

Apr 29, 2026

How information and communication technologies can empower women in Senegal

By Aminata Niang

Data and interview results show how information and communication technologies are empowering women in Senegal's informal economy.

Africa Freedom and Prosperity
View all In-depth Research & reports

Content

In the News

Aug 27, 2020

Garlauskas on CSIS’s webinar on North Korea

By Atlantic Council

Markus Garlauskas, the former US National Intelligence Officer for North Korea and Nonresident Senior Fellow with the Asia Security Initiative, made an appearance on a webinar hosted by CSIS on North Korea on August 27, 2020. During the webinar, Garlauskas discussed the prospects of a US-DPRK summit prior to the presidential election, DPRK’s approach toward […]

Arms Control East Asia
EU-Turkey

In the News

Aug 27, 2020

Stefano Stefanini quoted in the New York Times on Turkey-Greece tensions and prospects for Turkish EU membership

By Stefano Stefanini

Stefano Stefanini outlines several practical steps the European Union could take to develop a forward-looking and inclusive relationship with Turkey.

Europe & Eurasia European Union

In the News

Aug 26, 2020

Ian Brzezinski quoted by Voice of America on the future of Belarus
Belarus Democratic Transitions

In the News

Aug 26, 2020

Mack quoted in Al Jazeera on UAE-Israel normalization
Arabic Israel

In the News

Aug 26, 2020

Simakovsky joins Voice of America to discuss government arrests of protesters in Belarus
Belarus Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Aug 26, 2020

Manning quoted in VOA on the possibility of transfer of power in the DPRK

By Atlantic Council

East Asia English

In the News

Aug 26, 2020

Oh in Radio Free Asia on Biegun’s discussion with Russia regarding North Korea

By Atlantic Council

Miyeon Oh, Director and Senior Fellow of the Asia Security Initiative at the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, was interviewed by Radio Free Asia about Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun’s meeting with the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov regarding North Korea on August 25, 2020. Oh suggested that Biegun’s visit to Moscow was […]

Arms Control East Asia

In the News

Aug 26, 2020

Hudson quoted in RFI on US pressure to normalize relations with Israel

By Atlantic Council

Africa Democratic Transitions

In the News

Aug 26, 2020

Wieslander joins Swedish Radio to discuss military escalation around the Baltic Sea
Europe & Eurasia Northern Europe

In the News

Aug 26, 2020

Wieslander joins Radio Sweden to discuss the deteriorating security situation in the Baltic Sea
Europe & Eurasia Northern Europe
Load More