About the Atlantic Council

Since its founding in 1961-1962, the Council has been a preeminent, non partisan institution devoted to promoting transatlantic cooperation and international security. In its early years, distinguished American foreign policy leaders – Dean Acheson, Dean Rusk, Christian Herter, Lucius Clay, and others – developed an ambitious agenda to engage Americans with their European partners on matters of global concern. Now in its 50^th year, the Atlantic Council is harnessing that history of transatlantic leadership and applying its founders’ vision to a broad spectrum of modern global challenges from violent extremism to financial instability and from NATO’s future to energy security. As we face an inflection point in history, the Atlantic Council provides an essential forum for navigating dramatic shifts in economic and political influence. The Council is home to ten programs and centers, broken down both functionally and regionally, which seamlessly work together to tackle today’s unique set of challenges.

FUNCTIONAL PROGRAMS

International Security Program

Examines emerging transatlantic and global security issues, including NATO transformation, cyber statecraft, strategic foresight, missile defense, and defense industry trends. The Council is currently leading a capital campaign to transform the International Security Program into the Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security 

Transatlantic Relations Program

Works to foster consensus, cooperation, and leadership in the transatlantic arena and to boost understanding of the evolution of Europe, with a focus on the European Union and pivotal states such as Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia  

Global Business & Economics Program

Convenes business and government leaders from the US and Europe to exchange ideas and design solutions to pressing global economic and financial challenges, and to advance prosperity and innovation  

Energy & Environment Program

Assesses and encourages transatlantic and East-West cooperation on major global issues impacting the availability, accessibility, affordability, and sustainability of energy  

Young Atlanticist Program

Brings together today’s top policymakers and tomorrow’s leaders for in-depth and open discussions, both in person and through social media, about the future of the Atlantic community  

REGIONAL PROGRAMS  

Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East

Examines the forces transforming the Middle East and develops policy recommendations for the US and Europe about how to support reform in the region  

Michael S. Ansari Africa Center

Works to transform U.S. and European policy approaches to Africa by building strong geopolitical partnerships with African states to enhance security and strengthen economic growth and prosperity on the continent  

Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center

Promotes transatlantic engagement in the countries around the Black Sea, in the Caucasus, and in Central Asia that is focused on regional political and security issues, economic cooperation and integration, and energy diversity of supply and demand among Caspian producers and European and international markets  

South Asia Center

Provides a forum for countries in greater South Asia to engage with one another on sustainable stability and economic growth in our quest to “wage peace” in the region, and develop links and better understanding among them and members of the Atlantic community  

Asia Program

Focuses on US-EU-Asia ties, US-China relations and long-term strategic challenges, Cross-strait relations, and Asia security