Issue briefs and reports

When growth outpaces accountability: Political volatility in the Philippines

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert" >Cesi Cruz</span>

Economic growth in the Philippines has largely taken place in the absence of sustained political stability. Political rights and accountability swing sharply with changes in leadership. The task ahead is to ensure that economic progress deepens democratic accountability.

Tunisia needs both bread and freedom

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert" >Ameni Mehrez</span>

Tunisia was one of the Arab Spring's success stories, with dramatic increases in political freedom after the 2011 uprising. Fifteen years on, the country's experience shows how intertwined freedom and prosperity are. With economic opportunity not matching the increases in political voice, frustration and unrest has followed.

Negotiating with Putin’s Russia

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert" >Donald N. Jensen, Iuliia Osmolovska</span>

The latest report in the Atlantic Council's Russia Tomorrow examines Russia’s negotiating tactics and how the US can adjust its diplomatic strategies in turn.

Putin’s next move? Five Russian attack scenarios Europe must prepare for

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert">Richard D. Hooker, Jr.</span>

Whether emboldened by victory in Ukraine or motivated by a loss to pursue success elsewhere, Russian president Vladimir Putin is likely to continue his campaign of aggression. The Nordic and Baltic region, already subject to a campaign of intimidation, is in the Kremlin’s crosshairs—with these five places at greatest risk.

A year into its post-Assad era, Syria needs a ‘rules-first’ reset

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert">Ibrahim Al-Assil</span>

In Syria, relief coexists with unease about what comes next. How can Ahmed al-Sharaa restore a state devastated by a quarter century of authoritarianism, corruption, and civil war? Building a government and economy that work for all Syrians is the only way forward.

Mining corridors as catalysts: Building on the Lobito model

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert">Aubrey Hruby</span>

The financing approach and public-private cooperation used to build the Lobito transportation corridor offers a playbook for the US and African governments and investors as they seek to tap Africa's critical mineral wealth.

Global Foresight 2036

In this year’s Global Foresight edition, our experts share findings from our survey of geostrategists on how human affairs could unfold over the next decade. Our scholars spot “snow leopards” that could have major unexpected impacts over the next decade. And our tech experts put AI’s forecasting ability to the test.

Welcome to 2036: What the world could look like in ten years, according to nearly 450 experts

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert" >Mary Kate Aylward, Peter Engelke, Uri Friedman, and Paul Kielstra </span>

We polled geostrategists and foresight practitioners on our most burning questions about the biggest drivers of change over the next decade. Check out their forecasts on everything from the future of NATO to the rise of cryptocurrency.

The Global Foresight 2036 survey: Full results

In the fall of 2025, the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security surveyed the future, asking leading geostrategists and foresight experts around the world to answer our most burning questions about the biggest drivers of change over the next ten years. Here are the full results. 

AI and the future

What does the next year, decade, and beyond hold for AI? We interviewed the Atlantic Council’s tech experts to learn more about AI's future, and whether it can help us better understand our own.