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

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
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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
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Content

In the News

Aug 11, 2020

Riaz quoted in Nikkei Asian Review on China and Bangladesh-India relations

By Atlantic Council

Bangladesh China

In the News

Aug 11, 2020

Kroenig and Cimmino reflect on the life and legacy of General Brent Scowcroft

By Atlantic Council

On August 11, The Federalist published a piece by Matthew Kroenig and Jeffrey Cimmino reflecting on the life and legacy of the late General Brent Scowcroft.

Politics & Diplomacy Security & Defense

In the News

Aug 11, 2020

Preparing for the post-pandemic tech environment: Dr. David Bray

By Atlantic Council

Dr. David Bray, the GeoTech Center's director, envisions a future where proper preparedness and a people-centered perspective will allow humanity to harness the incredible innovations anticipated in the coming years for good. On an episode of the "Futurized" podcast with Trond Undheim, PhD, David discussed this vision, and how we at the GeoTech Center are working to make it a reality.

Coronavirus Economy & Business

In the News

Aug 10, 2020

Ashutosh Varshney in the Boston Review: What we can learn from India’s improbable democracy

By Atlantic Council

India Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Aug 10, 2020

Deputy Director Julia Friedlander Quoted in Financial Times on Trump’s Campaign Against Beijing

By Julia Friedlander

Read the full article here.

China Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

In the News

Aug 10, 2020

Cole featured on podcast from The World

By Atlantic Council

On August 10, Forward Defense non-resident senior fellow August Cole was featured in the “Things That Go Boom” podcast from The World, in an episode titled “Future Wars.”

Media National Security

In the News

Aug 10, 2020

Grundman in Aviation Week: There is bipartisan consensus on robust defense spending

By Atlantic Council

Forward Defense Senior Fellow Steven Grundman discusses bipartisan consensus on a large defense budget, as well as ongoing debates over the productivity of defense dollars.

Defense Industry Defense Policy

In the News

Aug 10, 2020

Busch in The Hill: Biden’s pre-Trump language on trade needs updating

By Marc L. Busch

Marc Busch writes that President Trump has dramatically changed how we talk about trade and Biden must cut a new path to define his own trade policy.

China Economy & Business

In the News

Aug 9, 2020

Slavin quoted in The Hill on the arms embargo on Iran
Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Iran

In the News

Aug 9, 2020

Riaz in the Daily Star: Three challenges to the 2020 US election

By Atlantic Council

Elections United States and Canada
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