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

Oct 3, 2017

Ukraine’s internally displaced persons hold a key to peace

By Lauren Van Metre, Steven E. Steiner, and Melinda Haring

This paper examines Ukraine’s IDP policies in the context of the largercrisis between Moscow and Kyiv, and is based in part on extensive fieldwork with displaced persons who have settled in Kyiv and Vinnytsia.

Conflict Democratic Transitions

Issue Brief

Oct 3, 2017

Ukraine’s internally displaced persons hold a key to peace

By Lauren Van Metre, Steven E. Steiner, and Melinda Haring

“Ukraine’s displaced persons can and should play a role in a sustained peace process, and many are already building bridges and fostering local reconciliation,” write authors Lauren Van Metre, Steven E. Steiner, and Melinda Haring, in “Ukraine’s Internally Displaced Persons Hold a Key to Peace,” a new issue brief by the Atlantic Council’s Dinu Patriciu […]

Conflict Democratic Transitions

Issue Brief

Oct 2, 2017

The roots and evolution of Iran’s regional strategy

By Suzanne Maloney

Understanding what drives Iran’s regional policies is crucial to confronting its challenges. In her new paper, entitled The Roots and Evolution of Iran’s Regional Strategy, Suzanne Maloney, deputy director of foreign policy and senior fellow for Middle East policy at the Brookings Institution, explores how the Islamic Republic operates throughout the Middle East, and the […]

Iran Politics & Diplomacy

Issue Brief

Sep 29, 2017

The new Russia sanctions law: What it does and how to make it work

By Daniel Fried, Brian O’Toole

In “The New Russia Sanctions Law–What It Does and How to Make It Work,” authors Ambassador Daniel Fried, distinguished fellow at the Atlantic Council and former coordinator for sanctions policy at the US State Department, and Brian O’Toole, a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, explain that Congress primarily adopted the law to block […]

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Russia

Issue Brief

Sep 27, 2017

The ties that bind

By Alina Polyakova and Henning Riecke

As German Chancellor Angela Merkel enters her fourth term in office, the US-German relationship will need to overcome trade and policy disagreements in order to thrive in today’s uncertain political climate.

Germany

Issue Brief

Sep 27, 2017

The ties that bind

By Alina Polyakova and Henning Riecke

As German Chancellor Angela Merkel enters her fourth term in office, the US-German relationship will need to overcome trade and policy disagreements in order to thrive in today’s uncertain political climate. The administrations in Berlin and Washington, DC should seek new opportunities for closer cooperation, particularly related to security around NATO, policy toward Russia, bilateral […]

Germany

Report

Sep 26, 2017

The MADCOM future

By Matt Chessen

Emerging artificial intelligence (AI) tools will provide propagandists radically enhanced capabilities to manipulate human minds. Human cognition is a complex system, and AI tools are very good at decoding complex systems. Interactions on social media, browsing the Internet, and even grocery shopping provide thousands of data points from which technologists can build psychological profiles on nearly […]

Americas Civil Society

Issue Brief

Sep 21, 2017

Using citizen-based observations to plan for climate change

By Sarah Abdelrahim

As a global challenge with profound implications at the local level, climate change provides new opportunities for individual engagement.

Issue Brief

Sep 21, 2017

Using citizen-based observations to plan for climate change

By Sarah Abdelrahim

As a global challenge with profound implications at the local level, climate change provides new opportunities for individual engagement. Communities around the world have their own unique experiences with the effects of climate change, as well as drastically different climate adaptation needs. This gives individuals an unprecedented role to play in sharing information and guiding […]

Report

Sep 14, 2017

The Euro’s Difficult Future

By Luigi Bonatti

In The Euro’s Difficult Future – Competitiveness Imbalances and the Eurozone’s North-South Divide author Luigi Bonatti, a professor of economics at the University of Trento in Italy, stresses that the existing North-South competitiveness divide creates growing tensions between member countries and fuels hostility towards European Union institutions. The paper illustrates why this competitiveness divide is […]

European Union Fiscal and Structural Reform

Report

Sep 14, 2017

Revolution unveiled: A closer look at Iran’s presence and influence in the Middle East

By Phillip Smyth, Tim Michetti, and Owen Daniels

Revolution Unveiled: A Closer Look at Iran’s Presence and Influence in the Middle East, by Phillip Smyth, Tim Michetti, and Owen Daniels, pieces together snapshots of Iran’s influence in the region using photographic analysis, geolocation, social media monitoring, and other methods. Through four case studies, this report systematically examines new or lesser-known methods Iran employs […]

Iran Middle East

Report

Sep 13, 2017

Transforming the power sector in developing countries: Indonesia’s diversification challenge

By Robert F. Ichord, Jr.

Although often overshadowed by significantly larger energy systems in India and China, Indonesia is assuming an increasingly important role in international energy markets and global efforts to address climate change. What challenges does Indonesia face in the energy sector and what can be recommendations can be made for policy makers and other stakeholders on strategic priorities?

Energy & Environment Energy Transitions
President Xi Jinping of China addresses the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Business Summit, in Johannesburg, South Africa. Established in 2000, the Summit, which takes place every three years, facilitates large-scale investment deals between China and Africa. Photo credit: Republic of South Africa/Flickr.

Issue Brief

Sep 7, 2017

Escaping China’s shadow

By Aleksandra W. Gadzala

China’s major financial commitments to Africa, coupled with its double digit returns, have discouraged American companies from breaking into African markets.

Africa China
President Xi Jinping of China addresses the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Business Summit, in Johannesburg, South Africa. Established in 2000, the Summit, which takes place every three years, facilitates large-scale investment deals between China and Africa. Photo credit: Republic of South Africa/Flickr.

Issue Brief

Sep 7, 2017

Escaping China’s shadow

By Aubrey Hruby

China’s major financial commitments to Africa, coupled with its double digit returns, have discouraged American companies from breaking into African markets. Amid growing concerns regarding China’s expanding economic influence on the continent, a reassessment of America’s business edge and overall competitiveness is past due. Rather than engaging in a fist-fight for influence with Chinese competitors, […]

Issue Brief

Sep 7, 2017

Capturing the African consumer market

By Aleksandra W. Gadzala

For America’s consumer goods companies, the latest shifts in African consumer trends hold much promise. Africa’s population is growing at an outstanding rate and spending by consumers and businesses on the continent is forecast to grow significantly over the next decade.

Africa East Africa

Issue Brief

Sep 7, 2017

Capturing the African consumer market

By Aleksandra W. Gadzala

For America’s consumer goods companies, the latest shifts in African consumer trends hold much promise. Africa’s population is growing at an outstanding rate and spending by consumers and businesses on the continent is forecast to grow significantly over the next decade. However, US investors often oversimplify and misunderstand African markets, which remain highly segmented, fluid, […]

Africa East Africa

Report

Sep 6, 2017

State Department Reform Report

By Atlantic Council

Read the Publication (PDF) The Atlantic Council’s State Department Reform Report—written by a group of ten foreign policy experts—explores the critical subject areas of structure and process, personnel, budget, congressional relations, and USAID. The report serves as a foundation for reform efforts that will lead to the empowerment of the State Department at a time when a rapidly evolving global […]

Report

Sep 1, 2017

Agent of Influence: Should Russia’s RT Register as a Foreign Agent?

By Elena Postnikova

The US Congress enacted the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 (FARA) to ensure that the American people were aware when foreign governments funded media sources; at the time, their concerns focused on the Nazi regime in Germany. Today, this issue has resurfaced with concerns about the Russian propaganda outlet RT (formerly Russia Today). RT […]

Disinformation Elections

Issue Brief

Aug 17, 2017

The United States’ climate change relocation plan

By Victoria Hermann

By 2100, at least 414 towns, villages, and cities across the United States will be flooded no matter how much humans decrease carbon emissions.

Climate Change & Climate Action United States and Canada

Issue Brief

Aug 17, 2017

The America first energy plan: Renewing the confidence of American energy producers

By Sara Vakhshouri

To achieve the desired increase in domestic fossil fuel production and energy employment, President Trump, his administration, and his allies have promised to implement the America First Energy Plan, intended to reinvigorate the US coal industry, expand domestic fossil fuel production, cut regulations, open federal land for fossil fuel exploration, and reduce federal support for climate and environmental programs. What affect is the plan having on US energy industries?

Energy & Environment Oil and Gas
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