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Our pillars

Defense and deterrence in Europe

Developing policy recommendations for deterring and defending against Russian aggression aimed at allies and partners in the European theater.

Emerging challenges to transatlantic security

Creating strategies to harness emerging and disruptive technologies to maintain NATO’s competitive advantage and cohering a transatlantic approach to hybrid threats from Russia and China.

China and transatlantic security

Identifying areas of divergence and convergence between the United States and Europe with respect to China and proposing ideas to collectively counter China’s malign activities.

NATO and the new south

Analyzing the security impacts of great power competition in the Mediterranean and Black Sea regions and developing strategies to improve stabilization missions beyond Europe’s borders.

Arctic security

Assessing the unique geopolitical and defense challenges of the High North to bridge perspectives between European and North American allies and partners on Arctic security issues.

NATO in America

Identifying bold policy ideas that demonstrate the enduring value of NATO to US interests in order to engage a new community of American champions for the Alliance.

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Expert commentary & analysis

NATO Washington Summit

During this historic year for the Alliance, the Atlantic Council led the charge in shaping the agenda for the Washington Summit, informing the transatlantic community, and demonstrating NATO’s enduring value.

Take a look at our footprint from Washington as we begin to gear up for NATO Summit 2025 in The Hague, Netherlands

NATO 20/2020 content series

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Content

In the News

Jul 11, 2024

Ignac interviewed by Euronews Serbia on the bridge to NATO and the Washington Summit

On July 9, Transatlantic Security Initiative assistant director Luka Ignac was interviewed by Euronews Serbia on the expectations for Ukraine at the Washington NATO Summit (source in Serbian).

Security & Defense

In the News

Jul 11, 2024

Ignac interviewed by N1 Serbia on the expectations for the Washington NATO Summit

On July 9, Transatlantic Security Initiative assistant director Luka Ignac was interviewed by N1 Serbia, CNN exclusive news channel affiliate, on the expectations for the Washington NATO Summit and whether Western Balkans will feature on the Summit agenda (source in Serbian).

Security & Defense

In the News

Jul 11, 2024

Ignac interviewed by N1 Croatia on the agenda for the Washington NATO Summit

On July 7, Transatlantic Security Initiative assistant director Luka Ignac was interviewed by N1 Croatia, CNN exclusive news channel affiliate, on the themes on the agenda of the Washington NATO Summit and how US presidential elections is affecting the summit (source in Croatian).

Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Jul 10, 2024

Our experts read between the lines of NATO’s Washington summit communiqué

By Atlantic Council experts

Atlantic Council experts offer their insights on NATO’s Washington Summit Declaration, released on Wednesday during the Alliance’s seventy-fifth-anniversary meeting in the US capital.

China Europe & Eurasia

New Atlanticist

Jul 9, 2024

How NATO can prove its enduring relevance at the Washington summit

By Giedrimas Jeglinskas

Allies must do more to augment Ukraine’s warfighting capabilities and bring it into the Alliance, as well as boost their own spending on defense.

Europe & Eurasia NATO

New Atlanticist

Jul 8, 2024

From blueprints to battlefields: How to ensure NATO’s future readiness

By Luka Ignac

NATO’s success hinges on allies’ ability to verify readiness, overcome capability gaps, revitalize the transatlantic defense industrial base, and integrate national defense plans with NATO defense plans.

Europe & Eurasia NATO

New Atlanticist

Jul 5, 2024

Experts react: Labour is back. Here’s what to expect from the new UK government.

By Atlantic Council experts

Our experts outlined incoming Prime Minister Keir Starmer's priorities and the party's vision for the UK's role in the world.

Elections Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Jul 1, 2024

NATO allies need a better approach to industrial strategy

By Kristen Taylor

The Washington summit next week is an opportunity for the Alliance to send clear demand signals to industry and develop more coordinated, effective industrial strategies.

Defense Industry Europe & Eurasia

New Atlanticist

Jun 25, 2024

Four steps that NATO’s southern flank strategy needs to succeed

By Jason Davidson

NATO’s first southern flank strategy is coming together for the upcoming Washington summit. But additional spending in four specific areas is needed, too.

Europe & Eurasia Italy

New Atlanticist

Jun 20, 2024

Rethinking the NATO burden-sharing debate

By Valbona Zeneli, Philippe Dickinson

As more allies cross the threshold of spending 2 percent of their gross domestic product on defense, it’s time for the conversation to evolve.

Europe & Eurasia NATO