New Atlanticist

Sharp insights and bold ideas from across the Council

From climate change to the China challenge and the contest between democracy and dictatorship, the New Atlanticist is where top experts and policymakers at the Atlantic Council and beyond offer exclusive insight on the most pressing global challenges—and the US role in addressing them alongside allies and partners.

The Council’s flagship section features big ideas, groundbreaking research, lightning-fast expert reactions, in-depth analyses, and thought-provoking commentary to shape public policy.

Any possible US-China ‘thaw’ must not leave Uyghurs out in the cold

New Atlanticist Sep 4, 2025

Dispatches from Damascus: The state of Syria’s postwar transition nine months after Assad’s fall

On a recent trip to the Syrian capital, Atlantic Council experts took note of how far the country has come since the Assad regime’s fall and what still needs to happen to secure peace and prosperity.

New Atlanticist Aug 29, 2025

Twenty questions (and expert answers) about the negotiations to end Russia’s war in Ukraine

By Atlantic Council experts

August saw a flurry of diplomatic activity to end Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. As September nears, Atlantic Council experts share their insights on what to expect next.

Conflict Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

New Atlanticist Aug 28, 2025

Germany wants to double its defense spending. Where should the money go?

By Atlantic Council experts

After decades of Berlin underinvesting in its defense, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has plans to transform the Bundeswehr into Europe’s strongest military.

Defense Policy Europe & Eurasia

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Fast Thinking

When major global news breaks, the Atlantic Council’s experts have you covered—delivering their sharpest rapid insight and forward-looking analysis direct to your inbox.

Experts React

Dive deep into developing stories, guided by continually updated expert analysis that leaves you better informed about the most pressing global issues behind the headlines.

Markup

Our experts decipher and annotate major speeches and policy documents to break down big ideas and lay them out in plain language.

New Atlanticist

Jul 28, 2023

Any possible US-China ‘thaw’ must not leave Uyghurs out in the cold

By Rayhan Asat

The United States should demonstrate its unwavering support for the Uyghur community and a staunch commitment to safeguarding global human rights standards.

China
Human Rights

New Atlanticist

Jul 27, 2023

Ukrainian tennis star Elina Svitolina: The sports world must get behind Ukraine’s cause

By Katherine Golden

“As a Ukrainian, I cannot be silent,” Svitolina said at an Atlantic Council Front Page event. “I want to scream everywhere I can and use my voice [to] the fullest.”

Conflict
Security & Defense

VIDEO SHOWS: RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN SPEAKS AT RUSSIA-AFRICA FORUM AT ST. PETERSBURG, SAYING RUSSIA IS READY TO USE REGIONAL CURRENCIES FOR SETTLEMENTS WITH AFRICAN COUNTRIES

New Atlanticist

Jul 27, 2023

Russian War Report: Kremlin seeks stronger ties in Africa as Wagner eyes Niger coup

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

As Russian President Vladimir Putin attends the Russia-Africa Summit, he and his government are making moves to solidify regional cooperation. Amid this, Wagner seeks to capitalize on the coup in Niger.

Africa
Belarus

New Atlanticist

Jul 27, 2023

There’s something odd about where China is building solar power

By Joseph Webster

Beijing’s solar deployment has been wasteful from an economic and environmental perspective, but the shape of its solar build may be influenced in part by security considerations.

China
Energy & Environment

New Atlanticist

Jul 26, 2023

Pakistan needs to press pause on its data overhaul

By Uzair Younus

Islamabad appears poised to push through onerous data regulations that will put the country's tech industry under strain—and raise concerns for consumers.

Cybersecurity
Digital Policy

New Atlanticist

Jul 26, 2023

NATO has a new plan to ramp up defense production. Is it enough?

By Rob Murray

Underreported coming out of the Vilnius Summit, the Alliance's Defense Production Action Plan has the potential to transform how allies acquire what they need to defend themselves.

Defense Industry
Defense Policy

New Atlanticist

Jul 26, 2023

Arctic security is increasingly under threat. Drones can help.

By Kirk Allen

Russia's invasion of Ukraine and climate change are fundamentally changing the Arctic; unmanned aircraft systems may help allies fill their security gaps in the region.

Conflict
Crisis Management

New Atlanticist

Jul 25, 2023

Is ‘friendshoring’ really working?

By Niels Graham and Mondrita Rashid

The Biden administration has identified around 2,400 critical goods and materials that fall under its efforts to move supply chains out of China. Check out what the data reveal so far.

China
Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Jul 25, 2023

As Blinken visits Tonga, the US needs to think beyond China in the Pacific Islands

By Parker Novak

Geopolitics is important, but Washington’s relations with the strategically located region need to be about more than competition with Beijing.

China
Economy & Business

Protesters take part in a demonstration against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his nationalist coalition government's judicial overhaul by the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem, July 24, 2023.

Fast Thinking

Jul 24, 2023

What’s next for Israel’s judicial clash

By Atlantic Council

As the Knesset passes controversial judicial reforms, our experts from Jerusalem to Washington weigh in on the state of Israeli democracy.

Israel
Middle East

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