The Cyber Statecraft Initiative works at the nexus of geopolitics, technology, and security to craft strategies to help shape the conduct of statecraft and to better inform and secure users. This work extends through the competition of state and non-state actors, the security of the internet and computing systems, the safety of operational technology and physical systems, and the communities of cyberspace. The Initiative convenes a diverse network of passionate and knowledgeable contributors, bridging the gap among technical, policy, and user communities.

Our work

The Atlantic Council Technology Programs comprises five existing efforts—the Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab), the GeoTech Center, the Cyber Statecraft Initiative, the Democracy + Tech Initiative, and the Capacity Building Initiative. These operations work together to address the geopolitical implications of technology and provide policymakers and global stakeholders necessary research, insights, and convenings to address challenges around global technology and ensure its responsible advancement.

Team

Fellows

Publications

New Atlanticist

Jul 30, 2025

What the Israel-Iran conflict revealed about wartime cyber operations

By Nikita Shah

The cyber operations on display during the recent twelve-day conflict appear to have offered an incremental edge in warfare, rather than a revolutionary one.

Conflict Cybersecurity

Report

Jul 30, 2025

To secure reprogrammable chips, the US must address supply chain risks

By Andrew Kidd, Celine Lee, and Bruce Schneier

This policy brief analyzes the FPGA supply chain for US firms and the trade-offs these companies make among risks to cost, availability, and security; assesses how those trade-offs will change given a shifting global environment; and recommends policy interventions for the US government.

China Cybersecurity

Report

Jul 30, 2025

The journey of reprogrammable semiconductors through their supply chain

By Andrew Kidd, Celine Lee, and Bruce Schneier

This interactive offers a concise overview of the nuances that make the FPGA supply chain uniquely challenging.

China Cybersecurity

New Atlanticist

Jul 28, 2025

Latin America’s ambitious satellite internet plans are about more than Starlink and SpaceSail

By Olivia Torres

Increasing access to the internet is much more complex than a zero-sum competition between the United States and China for influence in the region.

Internet Latin America

Experts react

Jul 23, 2025

Experts react: What Trump’s new AI Action Plan means for tech, energy, the economy, and more 

By Atlantic Council experts

Our experts unpack how the Trump administration’s AI Action Plan will impact the US tech industry, energy policy, and global AI governance.

Artificial Intelligence China
Blurred photo of a malware sample in the Ghidra reverse engineering

Report

Jun 25, 2025

Crash (exploit) and burn: Securing the offensive cyber supply chain to counter China in cyberspace 

By Winnona DeSombre Bernsen

If the United States wishes to compete in cyberspace, it must compete against China to secure its offensive cyber supply chain.

China Cybersecurity

Report

Jun 20, 2025

A guide to national security space trends in the GCC

By AzurX and Graham Brookie

AzurX provides a comprehensive picture of the innovative strategies, ambitious missions, and inspiring visions propelling GCC nation space programs to new heights.

Space Space Security

Issue Brief

Jun 11, 2025

Reprogramming the future: The specialized semiconductors reshaping the global supply chain

By Celine Lee, Andrew Kidd, and Bruce Schneier

Within three years, Chinese investments in a critical and specialized type of semiconductor—field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs)—are likely to drive many US firms out of the market. To counter this, the United States will need to significantly increase its own investment efforts.

China Technology & Innovation

New Atlanticist

Jun 5, 2025

Cyberattacks are hurting US businesses. Here’s how Congress can upgrade cybersecurity information sharing.

By Tanner Wilburn, Sara Ann Brackett, and Urmita Chowdhury

Hackers are targeting small and medium-sized businesses, and the existing framework for sharing important information is leaving these US companies out of the loop.

Cybersecurity Economy & Business

Russia Tomorrow

May 20, 2025

Unpacking Russia’s cyber nesting doll

By Justin Sherman

The latest report in the Atlantic Council’s Russia Tomorrow series explores Russia’s wartime cyber operations and broader cyber web.

Cybersecurity Digital Policy

Events


The Atlantic Council’s Cyber Statecraft Initiative, part of the Atlantic Council Technology Programs, works at the nexus of geopolitics and cybersecurity to craft strategies to help shape the conduct of statecraft and to better inform and secure users of technology.

Licensing CSI Graphics

All original graphics created by the Cyber Statecraft Initiative (CSI) are available for re-use under the following conditions:

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