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

Nov 10, 2026

Ukraine’s new drone blitz cuts Russian oil refining capacity by 30 percent

By Peter Dickinson

Ukraine has renewed attacks on Putin's energy industry in recent days, conducting a series of powerful strikes that have reportedly cut Russian oil refining capacity by around 30 percent and sparked fuel shortages across the country, writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict Defense Policy

UkraineAlert

Nov 10, 2026

Europe sees surge in suspected Russian hybrid warfare incidents

By Maksym Beznosiuk

Europe has witnessed a surge in suspected Russian hybrid warfare incidents in recent weeks. This is fueling concerns that Vladimir Putin is escalating his intimidation campaign against Ukraine’s partners, writes Maksym Beznosiuk.

Conflict Cybersecurity
Nick-Clegg-waving

Inflection Points

Nov 10, 2026

Nick Clegg on Trump, Silicon Valley, and Big Tech’s political shift

By Frederick Kempe

Nick Clegg, former British deputy prime minister and Meta’s former president of global affairs, joins Frederick Kempe for a candid conversation about his time in government.

Technology & Innovation
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Latest in-depth research and reports

Issue Brief

Nov 10, 2026

Materials matter: Managing critical commodities for the next-generation energy economy

By Reed Blakemore, Alexis Harmon

As economies electrify, demand will grow for materials such as copper, steel, and durable plastics that underpin the energy system. Managing these materials' supply risks will be crucial to the new energy economy.

Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security

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
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Content

In the News

Oct 19, 2020

Clete Willems Quoted in Politico on the Efforts of the US and EU to Fix the WTO

By Clete R. Willems

Read the full article here.

European Union Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

In the News

Oct 19, 2020

Busch featured in the Financial Times on transatlantic trade barriers and competition with China

By Marc L. Busch

Marc Busch answers three blunt questions on the Boeing-Airbus dispute, potential trends toward protectionism post-COVID-19, and opposition to US tariffs on China.

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

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

Insights & Impact

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

Insights & Impact

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

Insights & Impact

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
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