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

Nov 19, 2025

Why Ankara’s rising power in the Sahel could benefit the West

By Alp Ozen, Haley Nelson

Turkey offers a rare channel in the Sahel that the West could use to recalibrate its approach to the region.

Africa Energy & Environment

Issue Brief

Nov 19, 2025

Why modernizing CAFTA-DR matters for the United States, and options for updating the trade pact

By Enrique Millán-Mejía, Antonio Ortiz Mena, and Rocío Rivera Barradas

Central America and the Dominican Republic are emerging as key partners for US economic security. The United States has a unique opportunity to reform its free trade agreement with the region—CAFTA-DR—to strengthen these ties.

Americas Economy & Business

Report

Nov 19, 2025

Biometrics and digital identity in Africa

By Sani Suleiman Sani

Biometrics have become deeply embedded in Africa’s political, social, and economic landscape. 

Africa Cybersecurity

Report

Nov 18, 2025

China’s economic slowdown and spillovers to Africa

By Matthew Mingey, Jeremy Smith, and Laura Gormley

China has catalyzed new infrastructure and industries in Africa, but the continent is also exposed to negative ripple effects from changes in China’s domestic economy. This report investigates how different projections of China’s economic growth and structure over the next five years will affect trade and financial engagement with the African continent.

Africa China

Report

Nov 17, 2025

Building the digital front line: Understanding big tech decision-making in Ukraine

By Emma Schroeder

In this report, author Emma Schroeder examines which factors most shaped tech companies’ decisions as to whether and how to lend their support to Ukraine throughout the war.

Cybersecurity Defense Industry

Russia Tomorrow

Nov 13, 2025

Minsk in Moscow’s grip: How Russia subjugated Belarus without annexation

By Hanna Liubakova

The latest report in the Atlantic Council's Russia Tomorrow series examines how Belarus moved from close relations with Russia to full-scale integration under the Kremlin.

Belarus Conflict

Report

Nov 11, 2025

The future of food in the Americas

By Peter Engelke and Matias Margulis

Though the Americas have traditionally been a food-secure region, even moderate shocks can have profound consequences for agriculture. But there are concrete steps policymakers can take to protect the Western Hemisphere's breadbaskets from climate disruption, rising protectionism, and other risks. 

Americas Climate Change & Climate Action

Report

Nov 11, 2025

El futuro de la alimentación en las Américas

By Peter Engelke y Matias Margulis

Un informe del Centro Scowcroft para la Estrategia y la Seguridad evalúa los mayores desafíos y oportunidades que enfrenta la seguridad alimentaria del hemisferio occidental en un panorama estratégico cambiante.

Americas Climate Change & Climate Action

Report

Nov 11, 2025

O futuro da alimentação nas Américas

By Peter Engelke e Matias Margulis

Um relatório do Centro Scowcroft para Estratégia e Segurança avalia os principais desafios e oportunidades que a segurança alimentar enfrenta no Hemisfério Ocidental em um cenário estratégico em transformação.

Americas Climate Change & Climate Action

Report

Nov 10, 2025

Is Europe waking up to the China challenge? How geopolitics are reshaping EU and transatlantic strategy

By Valbona Zeneli

China’s rising global ambitions challenge both US and European interests. By examining the EU’s gradual shift toward “de-risking” and gaps in transatlantic policy, this report offers insights for developing a more coherent and coordinated strategy to address Beijing’s economic and security challenges.

China Europe & Eurasia

Report

Nov 10, 2025

Poland’s policy on China: From partnership to skepticism

By Zoltán Fehér

Despite its traditionally transatlantic orientation, Poland pursued an engagement policy toward China until the late 2010s. However, unmet economic promises and Beijing’s alignment with Moscow following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine shifted Warsaw’s view of China from economic partner to systemic challenger.

China Economy & Business

Report

Nov 10, 2025

Convergence and divergence in US and EU policies on China

By Zoltán Fehér

Where have US and EU polices on China drifted apart—and where do they converge? Identifying areas of conflict and alignment can help decision-makers on both sides of the Atlantic develop strategies to strengthen cooperation and more effectively counter China’s political and economic influence.

China Economy & Business

Report

Nov 10, 2025

Lithuania’s policy on China: An unlikely EU trailblazer

By Valbona Zeneli

Lithuania’s defiance of Chinese pressure has made it a policy innovator in the EU, showing how a small state can strengthen collective resilience. Its firm stance on Taiwan and push for European unity have anchored the EU’s shift toward de-risking and closer transatlantic coordination.

China Economy & Business

Report

Nov 10, 2025

How Europe deals with China in trade, technology, and security

By Valbona Zeneli

The EU’s approach to China is increasingly converging around “de-risking,” though progress remains uneven. While powerful member states set the overall direction, smaller ones drive change—and outliers slow collective action. Whether the EU can turn this patchwork into a unified strategy will define its China policy in the years ahead.

China Economy & Business

Report

Nov 10, 2025

Greece’s policy on China: Debt-era deals and recalibration

By Valbona Zeneli

From the port of Piraeus to Brussels, Greece’s China policy has evolved from enthusiastic engagement and post-crisis dependency to strategic caution. Today, Athens's is balancing economic pragmatism with transatlantic security commitments.

China Economy & Business

Report

Nov 10, 2025

Recommendations for coordinating US-EU policy

By Valbona Zeneli

To effectively counter China, the United States should prioritize closer coordination with the EU in key areas: economic security, supply chains, anti-coercion, and strategic investment. Joint efforts on trade and investment, technology, and security will be crucial to ensure aligned US-EU action.

China Economy & Business

Report

Nov 10, 2025

Italy’s policy on China: The Belt and Road gamble and its aftermath

By Valbona Zeneli

From the Silk Road to the Belt and Road Initiative, Italy’s relationship with China has shifted from early enthusiasm to cautious recalibration. Once Europe’s gateway for Beijing’s ambitions, Rome now frames its China policy around transatlantic solidarity, balancing economic opportunity with strategic prudence.

China Economy & Business

Report

Nov 10, 2025

Germany’s policy on China: From win-win to strategic competition

By Valbona Zeneli

Germany’s China policy has shifted from economic optimism to cautious competition—balancing trade interests with mounting security concerns. Once built on deep interdependence, Berlin now prioritizes “de-risking” and resilience in its approach to Beijing.

China Economy & Business

Report

Nov 10, 2025

Hungary’s policy on China: Doing Beijing’s bidding

By Zoltán Fehér

Under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Hungary has emerged as China’s closest ally within the EU, aligning its foreign policy with Beijing’s global agenda and repeatedly obstructing EU efforts to counter Chinese influence.

China Economy & Business

Report

Nov 10, 2025

Czechia’s policy on China: Swinging between engagement and de-risking

By Zoltán Fehér

Although Czechia emerged as one of the EU’s early hawks and whistleblowers on China, its overall stance has shifted markedly over the past two decades—oscillating between engagement and balancing, with the fluctuations largely driven by domestic political divisions and sustained Chinese influence efforts.

Central Europe China