In-depth research and reports

Our programs and centers deliver relevant, policy-focused research that matters to inform debate and action. Our focus is always on moving debate forward, integrating analysis with active, relevant conclusions throughout our published work.

Issue Brief

Jun 12, 2026

A renewed security and cooperation agenda for Colombia’s next government

By the US–Colombia Strategic Alignment Coalition

As Colombia heads to its presidential runoff election June 21, the next government will inherit a security crisis that requires a renewed US-Colombia agenda for dismantling criminal governance structures and the financial networks that sustain them.

Americas Colombia

Issue Brief

Jun 11, 2026

To stop Chinese dual-use battery dominance, the United States and South Korea need to team up

By Joseph Webster, Alvin Camba, Emily E. Kim

Should China establish a global monopoly across battery supply chains, the military, strategic, and commercial implications for the US-ROK alliance will be profound.

China Critical Minerals
Cover Credit: NATO. German Air Force Eurofighter Typhoons fly over a remote stretch of Iceland while training with the Swedish Air Force as part of NATO’s Arctic Sentry activity. Arctic Sentry is a NATO vigilance activity aimed at enhancing security in the north, helping to make the Alliance safer. As part of this initiative, Sweden deployed a detachment of six Gripens to Keflavik Air Base to safeguard Icelandic airspace against threats or intrusions. Their deployment is also part of NATO’s Iceland Air Policing mission, marking the first time Sweden has led an air policing mission since joining NATO two years ago as its 32nd member. During their deployment, fighters from the Royal Danish Air Force and the German Air Force joined them for integration training. Situated in the middle of the North Atlantic, Iceland plays a vital role in helping Allies maintain situational awareness in the High North. Photo courtesy of the German Air Force.

Report

Jun 10, 2026

The future of NATO’s deterrence in the air domain

By Edward Brady

European NATO member states need to prepare to deter, and if necessary, defeat Russia—with less US support. When it comes to airpower, here are the actions European states need to take in the short, medium, and long term. 

Defense Policy Europe & Eurasia

Report

Jun 10, 2026

From diversification to integration: A market-based LNG coordination mechanism in Europe

By Michał Kurtyka, Marcin Gawęda, and Lisa Basquel

Europe successfully diversified its LNG supply in a short period, but long-term energy security requires a structural redesign of how European gas markets are organized, priced, and supplied.

Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia

Issue Brief

Jun 9, 2026

How global authoritarians sustain inequality

By Deng Liu

Authoritarian leaders across the world use targeted strategies to sustain inequality. But developing countries should instead pull from a variety of existing development models to create societal prosperity.

East Asia Freedom and Prosperity

Report

Jun 5, 2026

The global energy crisis and its impacts on Asian emerging economies

By Phillip Cornell

The Strait of Hormuz energy crisis poses a stress test for import-dependent, emerging economies in Asia, forcing difficult trade-offs.

East Asia Energy & Environment

Issue Brief

Jun 5, 2026

Countering terrorist propaganda in the age of AI

By Danielle Cosgrove, Doug Livermore, Erin K. McFee, Morgan Tadych, Timothy “Tito” Torres

More people are being exposed to violent propaganda online, and the time between seeing such content, recruitment by a terrorist organization, and action is getting shorter. Counter-terrorism today thus must mean limiting the spread of terrorist content.

Artificial Intelligence Politics & Diplomacy

Report

Jun 5, 2026

Innovation as resilience: Demand-side strategies for critical mineral supply chain security

By Alexis Harmon, Reed Blakemore

Policies designed to secure critical mineral supplies have a blind spot: they focus primarily on sourcing but underuse demand-side strategies.

Critical Minerals Energy & Environment

Report

Jun 1, 2026

Atlantic Council Commission on AI lays a roadmap for US leadership in the age of AI

By Atlantic Council experts

The flagship report of the Atlantic Council Commission on AI and US competitiveness, which presents an action-oriented roadmap for strengthening US domestic AI capacity.

Artificial Intelligence Cybersecurity

Issue Brief

Jun 1, 2026

Allies and partners

By Mark Scott, Ryan Pan

Geopolitical competition in AI is accelerating, and alliances are a force multiplier.

Artificial Intelligence Technology & Innovation

Issue Brief

Jun 1, 2026

Powering AI

By Joseph Webster, Frank Willey

AI’s expanding energy footprint, from component fabrication to training and deployment, raises challenges for infrastructure, sustainability, and strategic autonomy.

Artificial Intelligence Energy & Environment

Issue Brief

Jun 1, 2026

Supply chain

By Sara Ann Brackett

The AI stack faces growing risks from supply chain disruptions, bottlenecks, and dependencies.

Artificial Intelligence Technology & Innovation

Issue Brief

Jun 1, 2026

Governance of AI

By Coley Felt, Ryan Pan

Governments are key partners in the AI economy, not only as regulators but also as users, integrators, and market shapers.

Artificial Intelligence Technology & Innovation

Issue Brief

Jun 1, 2026

Building talent and institutional readiness

By Trisha Ray

Leading in AI requires more than technical skill: it demands governance capability, interdisciplinary fluency, and strong public institutions.

Artificial Intelligence Technology & Innovation

Issue Brief

Jun 1, 2026

AI innovation

By Tess deBlanc-Knowles, Ryan Pan

AI Innovation is reshaping global power dynamics, becoming foundational to economic and national strength.

Artificial Intelligence Technology & Innovation

Issue Brief

Jun 1, 2026

US-Caribbean maritime cooperation: Why stronger ports, supply chains, and security matter now

By Maite Latorre Yerou, Patricia R. Francis

The Caribbean is not a peripheral region but a core component of the United States' economic and security environment. Its ports support US trade, its routes shape regional stability, and its infrastructure is now central to geopolitical competition.

Caribbean Economy & Business

Issue Brief

May 29, 2026

Can the EU’s mutual-defense clause replace NATO’s Article 5?

By James Batchik and Katherine Johnson

The European Union's mutual-defense clause, less well-known than NATO's commitment under Article 5 that an attack on one is an attack on all, is receiving new attention in light of questions over the US security commitment to Europe.

European Union NATO

Issue Brief

May 28, 2026

A framework for US-Japan cooperation in the Arctic

By Kyoko Imai, Connor McPartland, Audrey Roh

Japan's status as a maritime state and proximity to the Arctic Ocean means it is easily affected by climate-driven environmental shifts, evolving maritime routes, and infrastructure changes in the Arctic. How should it approach the rapidly changing region?

Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia

Issue Brief

May 28, 2026

Information fires: Building C-C5ISRT advantage in competition 

By Martin Zuber, Caleb Eames, Dan Minnocci, Amy Cowley

Countering adversary command, control, communications, computers, cyber, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting (C5ISRT) has emerged as a critical operational priority.

China Defense Policy

Report

May 28, 2026

Promote the antidote: Reducing the risk from toxins

By the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense at Atlantic Council

The policymaking community is not fully aware of the expansion of the threat from toxins. In this report, the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense at Atlantic Council outlines the threat and how to negate it.

Defense Technologies Security & Defense
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