United States and Canada

United States and Canada

The United States has enjoyed an unparalleled period of peace and prosperity since the end of the Second World War, due to its construction of a rules-based international order and maintenance of close alliances and partnerships. Canada has been a key partner for the United States, both due to their close economic links and their shared border, the world’s longest at 5,525 miles. Canada is also a key NATO ally for the United States and is active in international diplomacy around the world.

Can the EU’s mutual-defense clause replace NATO’s Article 5?

Dispatches Mar 11, 2026

Twenty questions (and expert answers) about the Iran war

By Atlantic Council experts

As the US-Israeli war against Iran reverberates across the Middle East and the globe, Atlantic Council experts bring clarity to the fast-moving events.
Conflict Iran
Can the EU’s mutual-defense clause replace NATO’s Article 5?

Event Recap Mar 6, 2026

Inside Trump’s long-term economic strategy, with EXIM Bank’s John Jovanovic

By Katherine Golden

At an Atlantic Council Front Page event, Jovanovic talked about the supply chains he is working to reshape, from critical minerals to energy.
Trade and tariffs United States and Canada
Can the EU’s mutual-defense clause replace NATO’s Article 5?

Dispatches Feb 25, 2026

Why the Arctic matters to the United States

By Julia Nesheiwat

The region is rapidly becoming a geopolitical arena where Russia and China’s deepening cooperation challenges Western dominance.
China Critical Minerals

Content

Issue Brief

May 29, 2026

Can the EU’s mutual-defense clause replace NATO’s Article 5?

By James Batchik and Katherine Johnson

The European Union's mutual-defense clause, less well-known than NATO's commitment under Article 5 that an attack on one is an attack on all, is receiving new attention in light of questions over the US security commitment to Europe.

European Union NATO

Issue Brief

May 28, 2026

Information fires: Building C-C5ISRT advantage in competition 

By Martin Zuber, Caleb Eames, Dan Minnocci, Amy Cowley

Countering adversary command, control, communications, computers, cyber, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting (C5ISRT) has emerged as a critical operational priority.

China Defense Policy

Dispatches

May 26, 2026

Tehran wants to end the war—but not at any price

By Danny Citrinowicz  

Iran’s leadership is not prepared to make dramatic concessions that, in its view, would undermine the ideological foundations of the Islamic Republic.

Conflict Iran

Dispatches

May 22, 2026

Golden Dome needs a price tag and a clear objective to succeed

By Dan Hart

Congress, the Pentagon and the broader Trump administration have different ideas and cost estimates for this new missile defense effort.

Missile Defense Security & Defense

Testimony

May 21, 2026

Carole House testifies to House Financial Services Committee on modernizing illicit finance frameworks for the twenty-first century

By Carole House

Carole House testified to the House Committee on Financial Services Subcommittee on National Security, Illicit Finance, and International Financial Institutions at a hearing titled, “Modernizing the BSA for Financial Crime in the 21st Century."

Digital Currencies Economy & Business

Issue Brief

May 21, 2026

For homeland missile defense, think Golden Zones, not a Golden Dome 

By Ankit Panda

While the second Trump administration correctly diagnoses a more dangerous nuclear environment facing the country, a comprehensive defensive system is the wrong prescription. The risks of prompting adversary proliferation and stretching US resources thin are too high.

Defense Technologies Missile Defense

Issue Brief

May 21, 2026

Golden Dome is the missile defense the US needs

By Henry "Trey" Obering

The United States should pursue a comprehensive missile defense system to protect the homeland from advanced threats posed by China, Russia, and North Korea. Political will from the Trump administration and advances in technology make the idea of the long-discussed "dome" over the United States more feasible now than ever.

Missile Defense Security & Defense

Inflection Points Dialogues

May 20, 2026

UAE presidential advisor Anwar Gargash on the Iran war, the Abraham Accords, and Europe-Gulf cooperation

By Frederick Kempe

On the sidelines of the Europe Gulf Forum, Gargash shares his thoughts on the Iran war and its far-reaching consequences.

Conflict Energy & Environment

Dispatches

May 20, 2026

After the Castro indictment, what is Trump’s endgame in Cuba? 

By Atlantic Council experts

The pressure campaign raises a number of urgent questions. We turned to experts in the Atlantic Council’s network for answers. 

Cuba Democratic Transitions

EnergySource

May 19, 2026

The US needs a comprehensive batteries strategy to ensure its battlefield edge

By Joseph Webster and Kyle Chan

Batteries are becoming increasingly important in defense technologies. To keep an operational edge, the US needs to focus on new supply chains and developing technological advantages.

China Energy & Environment
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Experts

Expert bio

Jeanne Benincasa Thorpe

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Adrienne Arsht National Security Resilience Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Resilience & Society United States and Canada

Fellow

Ryan Berger

Nonresident Fellow

Global China Hub

Americas Cybersecurity

Staff

Charlotte Bertrand

Program Assistant

GeoStrategy Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

China Defense Industry

Millennium fellow

Jian Bland

Vice President of Workplace Experience, Mastercard New York City Technology Hub

Millennium Leadership Program

Technology & Innovation United States and Canada

Fellow

Joseph T. Bonivel Jr.

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoTech Center

Cybersecurity Defense Technologies

Millennium fellow

Zeina Boustani

Director, Strategy & Operations, Mastercard

Millennium Leadership Program

Human Rights Middle East
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Events

Public Event Thu, October 8, 2026 • 6:00 pm ET

Sea change: America’s new great game in the Arctic Circle
Defense Policy Defense Technologies Economy & Business Energy & Environment
Flagship Event Fri, December 11, 2026 • 8:00 am ET

2026 Transatlantic Forum on GeoEconomics

The Transatlantic Forum on GeoEconomics is an annual flagship convening focused on issues at the nexus of economics, finance, foreign policy, and national security.
Digital Policy Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia European Union