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

Jul 22, 2020

Ellinas in StockWatch: What Chevron’s acquisition of Noble Energy means for Cyprus
Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

In the News

Jul 22, 2020

Ullman in UPI: USS Bonhomme Richard inferno is a metaphor for America

By Harlan Ullman

Politics & Diplomacy United States and Canada

In the News

Jul 22, 2020

Binnendijk and Koster in Defense News: NATO needs a new core task

By Hans Binnendijk, Timo S. Koster

Hans Binnendijk and Ambassador Timo S. Koster write that NATO should adopt "conserve stability" as a fourth core task with a global focus.

Americas China

In the News

Jul 22, 2020

Fernandes in The Times of India: Disaster risk reduction & global health: Covid-19 & multilateralism

By Atlantic Council

Coronavirus Resilience & Society

In the News

Jul 22, 2020

Hudson quoted in Foreign Policy on the politics behind leadership selection for the new United Nations mission to Sudan

By Atlantic Council

Africa Democratic Transitions

In the News

Jul 21, 2020

“North Star” Arctic Strategy event referenced by Breaking Defense

By Atlantic Council

The Department of the Air Force launches its first Arctic Strategy at the Atlantic Council's Commanders Series event.

Defense Policy National Security

In the News

Jul 21, 2020

Shaffer in Foundation for Defense of Democracies: Chevron Increases Its Presence in the Eastern Mediterranean
Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security

In the News

Jul 21, 2020

Busch in The Hill: US trade policy milks America’s dairy farmers

By Marc L. Busch

Marc Busch writes that for Congress to get US dairy products the same tariff treatment in Japan as those from other markets that it wants, the only solution is for the US to match the free trade deals other countries have built.

Americas Economy & Business

In the News

Jul 20, 2020

Younus in his podcast “Pakistonomy,” episode 26: Fueling Pakistan’s startup ecosystem

By Atlantic Council

Entrepreneurship Pakistan

In the News

Jul 20, 2020

Sherman interviewed on Cornell Law School’s “A Law in Common” podcast on the US-India tech relationship
Cybersecurity Defense Technologies
Load More