In-depth research & reports

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.

Featured projects

Stay connected

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

Our team

Experts

Content

In the News

Feb 6, 2025

Braw featured in Deutsche Welle discussing sabotage of cables and pipelines

By Elisabeth Braw

On February 6, Transatlantic Security Initiative senior fellow Elisabeth Braw was featured in a television interview on Deutsche Welle discussing cases of cables and pipelines being illegally tampered with, and how the NATO alliance is acting in response to these hybrid threats.

Report

Jan 23, 2025

From Russia’s shadow fleet to China’s maritime claims: The freedom of the seas is under threat

By Elisabeth Braw

This report analyzes the deterioration of the global maritime order, focusing on rule violations in areas including maritime border alteration, harassment of civilian vessels, and disturbance of navigational tools

China Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Jan 17, 2025

Binnendijk and Vershbow in Foreign Policy on European security in a Trump era

By Hans Binnendijk, Alexander Vershbow

On January 17, Transatlantic Security Initiative distinguished fellows Dr. Hans Binnendijk and Amb. Alexander Vershbow published an op-ed in Foreign Policy mapping out how Europe can help meet the Trump administration’s expectations when it comes to defense funding.  

Europe & Eurasia Security & Defense

In the News

Jan 13, 2025

Braw in The Political Risk Podcast discussing the end of globalization and new Gray-Zone threats

By Elisabeth Braw

On January 13th, Transatlantic Security Initiative senior fellow Elisabeth Braw was on The Political Risk Podcast articulating the threats of Gray-Zone aggression and sabotage operations in a new era of geopolitical competition.

New Atlanticist

Jan 3, 2025

The Atlantic Council’s greatest hits of 2024

By Frederick Kempe

These articles, reports, initiatives, and convenings represent the best of the Atlantic Council’s work in 2024 to shape the global future together with allies and partners.

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

In the News

Dec 28, 2024

Braw in Trade Winds on How to Counter Violations in the Global Maritime Order

By Elisabeth Braw

On January 3rd, Transatlantic Security Initiative senior fellow Elisabeth Braw authored an article in Trade Winds where she discussed rule violations of the global maritime order in the Baltic Sea. Braw also provided recommendations on how to counter actors who seek to upend this order.

NATO Non-Traditional Threats

In the News

Dec 27, 2024

Braw on NPR outlining NATO’s response to Russian malign activities

By Elisabeth Braw

On December 27th, Transatlantic Security Initiative senior fellow Elisabeth Braw spoke in an NPR segment about the implications and logistics of Russia’s malign activity in the Baltic Sea.

Issue Brief

Dec 18, 2024

It’s (still) more expensive to rotate military forces overseas than base them there

By John R. Deni

In his previous term, President Donald Trump ordered the US Army to withdraw one-third of its troops based in Europe. The alternative to soldiers based in Germany or Poland is rotating US-based units through Europe on nine-month deployments—and new Army data confirms this is far costlier and harder on soldier morale than forward stationing.

Central Europe Defense Policy
A Swedish flag is raised during a flag-raising ceremony at NATO headquarters following the accession of Sweden to the alliance, in Brussels, Belgium March 11, 2024. REUTERS/Yves Herman

Issue Brief

Dec 13, 2024

How a new global defense bank—the ‘Defense, Security, and Resilience Bank’—can solve US and allied funding problems

By Rob Murray

A perennial problem for NATO is getting member states to meet their financial commitments, which include the pledge to spend at least 2 percent of GDP on defense. A bank specifically focused on funding defense projects could offer a way out of the political impasse—and keep NATO technologically up to speed.

Europe & Eurasia International Financial Institutions

Report

Dec 10, 2024

Europe and the United States need to revolutionize their defense industrial bases—and how they cooperate

By Rob Murray

With powerful state and nonstate actors challenging the post-World War II international order, innovation in the tech sector happening at breakneck speed, and climate change threats, NATO allies must rethink traditional defense cooperation to stay relevant.

Europe & Eurasia NATO