Report

Apr 24, 2023

The imperative of the Versatile Test Reactor for nuclear innovation

By Jackie Toth, Khalil Ryan

In this report, “The imperative of the Versatile Test Reactor for Nuclear Innovation,” authors Jackie Toth and Khalil Ryan argue that the US will lose its competitive edge against adversaries (especially Russia) if it lacks a fully realized nuclear energy innovation ecosystem, of which the VTR is a crucial component.

Energy & Environment Nuclear Energy

Issue Brief

Apr 20, 2023

The US-EU Trade and Technology Council: Assessing the record on data and technology issues

By Frances Burwell and Andrea G. Rodríguez

The TTC must keep its forward-looking gaze, but also take steps to address challenging regulatory issues, either by oversight or direct discussion, or it will lose the essential support among stakeholders that can keep US engagement in the TTC alive.

Digital Policy Economy & Business

Issue Brief

Apr 19, 2023

Holding the Islamic Republic of Iran accountable for atrocity crimes

By Celeste Kmiotek, Alana Mitias, Nushin Sarkarati

Under the principle of universal jurisdiction, certain domestic justice systems allow prosecutions in national courts for crimes committed abroad, regardless of the victim’s or perpetrator’s nationality. This manual outlines the universal jurisdiction process in selected European states for those pursuing prosecutions of crimes committed by the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Human Rights International Norms

Issue Brief

Apr 19, 2023

Critical infrastructure cybersecurity prioritization: A cross-sector methodology for ranking operational technology cyber scenarios and critical entities

By Danielle Jablanski

As critical infrastructure becomes increasingly targeted by malicious adversaries, how can we effectively prioritize criticality?

Cybersecurity

Report

Apr 18, 2023

Virtual reality for global climate leadership

By Peter Engelke and Rosemary Mann

This report examines how virtual reality technology can impact high-level global leaders to invest in resilient climate solutions.

Energy & Environment

Issue Brief

Apr 18, 2023

NATO deterrence and defense: Military priorities for the Vilnius Summit

By Franklin D. Kramer

Ahead of the NATO Summit in Vilnius, this issue brief sets forth six priority actions that NATO should undertake to enhance its deterrent and defense posture.

Defense Technologies Europe & Eurasia

Issue Brief

Apr 17, 2023

Pakistan’s rapidly digitizing society requires clear policymaking

By Uzair Younus

This issue brief provides recommended steps that policymakers in Pakistan ought to take to address key concerns around free expression on the internet, and to generate momentum to catalyze higher levels of growth in Pakistan’s technology ecosystem.

Digital Policy Economy & Business

Report

Apr 12, 2023

Atlantic Council Commission on Defense Innovation Adoption interim report  

By Eric Lofgren*, Whitney M. McNamara, and Peter Modigliani

The DoD must accelerate defense innovation adoption from the leading edge of the private sector. This report has ten recommendations to do so.

China Defense Industry

Issue Brief

Apr 11, 2023

Defining success for NATO’s Vilnius summit: A primer

By Charles Barry and Christopher Skaluba

A successful NATO summit in July requires significant progress on a host of NATO’s political and military priorities, especially those enumerated at Madrid.

Europe & Eurasia National Security

Issue Brief

Apr 6, 2023

Accelerating the energy transition to strengthen European energy security: Key barriers to overcome

By Richard L. Morningstar, András Simonyi, Olga Khakova, Paddy Ryan

The role of decarbonization in European energy security, the obstacles impeding clean energy development, and the opportunities for transatlantic collaboration towards low-carbon energy security.

Energy & Environment Energy Transitions

Issue Brief

Apr 3, 2023

Game-changers: Implications of the Russo-Ukraine war for the future of ground warfare

By T.X. Hammes

T.X. Hammes describes the most significant gamechangers for ground warfare from the Russo-Ukraine war and the lessons that US, allied, and partner policymakers should draw from the conflict for their own force posture and development.

Conflict Defense Industry

Report

Mar 28, 2023

Fostering a Fourth Democratic Wave: A playbook for countering the authoritarian threat

By Hardy Merriman, Patrick Quirk, and Ash Jain

This report seeks to catalyze support for nonviolent pro-democracy movements fighting against authoritarian rule by proposing new approaches and tools to support civil resistance movements, advancing a new international norm — the “Right to Assist” pro-democracy movements — and developing strategic and tactical options to constrain authoritarian regimes.

Americas Civil Society
A mother and a daughter in India

Issue Brief

Mar 27, 2023

The future of women in India: Barriers, facilitators and opportunities

By Amita N. Vyas, Misha Iqbal, Capucine Querenet, Harris Samad, Irfan Nooruddin

This issue brief describes cross-cutting themes, a proposed theory of change, and recommendations that emerged from the Atlantic Council and US Department of State expert convening, “Future of Women and Work in South Asia” on how to foster cross-sectoral collaboration and catalyze knowledge sharing to support women’s economic empowerment in South Asia.

Education India

Issue Brief

Mar 23, 2023

Can hydrogen fuel reduce aviation’s climate impact?

By Joseph Webster

Hydrogen looks to be a promising avenue for aviation decarbonization. But several challenges remain before the industry can make the switch. If these challenges are managed properly, hydrogen aviation could move from a distant prospect to an emerging reality in the next five to ten years.

Energy & Environment Renewables & Advanced Energy

Issue Brief

Mar 22, 2023

Valencia, Spain: Decarbonization through innovative partnerships

By Peter Engelke, Joseph Webster

The issue brief focuses on the decarbonization pathway of Valencia, Spain. Lessons learned from Valencia are likely to have great relevance for other cities looking to reduce emissions.

Energy & Environment Energy Transitions

Issue Brief

Mar 22, 2023

Rotterdam, Netherlands: An integrated approach to decarbonization

By Peter Engelke, Joseph Webster

The issue brief focuses on the decarbonization pathway of Rotterdam, Netherlands. Given Rotterdam’s centrality to Europe and the sheer scale of its port, decarbonizing the city will require a strategic effort.

Energy & Environment Energy Transitions

Report

Mar 21, 2023

An imperative for women’s political leadership: Lessons from Brazil

By Valentina Sader, Isabel Bernhard

Women are essential to democracy, yet face systematic barriers to political entry and impact. Using the case of Brazil, we analyze the state of women’s political participation and of political violence against women. We propose timely, actionable approaches to reduce women’s unique political challenges and to further strengthen democratic health.

Americas Brazil

Report

Mar 20, 2023

Humanitarian aid: Defining new areas of US-LAC collaboration

By Pepe Zhang, Isabel Bernhard

The US humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) system—well practiced and extensively developed—could further serve US and partners’ needs in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) and beyond through targeted improvements. Based on our experience as HADR practitioners with operational and academic expertise, we share insights from many years of working with partners in the Americas.

Americas Caribbean

Executive Summary

Mar 16, 2023

In brief: C4ISR – A five-step guide to maintaining NATO’s comparative military edge over the coming decade

By Transatlantic Security Initiative

The Atlantic Council presents a five step guide to maintaining NATO’s comparative military edge over the coming decade.

Defense Policy Defense Technologies
NATO C4ISR

Report

Mar 16, 2023

The future of NATO C4ISR: Assessment and recommendations after Madrid

By Gordon B. “Skip” Davis Jr.

Current C4ISR capabilities, concepts, policies, and processes do not meet all of the Alliance’s needs. While much has been done to improve NATO C4ISR over the past decade, much work remains.

China Conflict