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.

How Russia, China, and Iran will shape Afghanistan’s future

New Atlanticist Mar 6, 2025

How European leaders are responding to Trump’s approach to Ukraine and Europe

From London and Berlin to Paris and Brussels, European leaders have taken several notable steps this week on security. This follows the blow-up between the Ukrainian and US presidents on February 28.

New Atlanticist Feb 26, 2025

Why the US should not lift sanctions against Russia

By Charles Lichfield

Sanctions are having an unmistakable effect, albeit below the inflated expectations of many in the West in early 2022. Lifting them now would be a mistake.

Conflict Economic Sanctions

New Atlanticist Mar 5, 2025

The Egyptian plan for postwar Gaza is a good starting point—but it needs changes

By Thomas S. Warrick

While many obstacles remain, the Egyptian proposal could form the starting point for negotiations over a workable plan for postwar Gaza.

Conflict Crisis Management

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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

Jun 18, 2021

How Russia, China, and Iran will shape Afghanistan’s future

By Nilofar Sakhi

Each country in the region has specific interests that influence its engagement in Afghanistan’s future, and the relations of regional powers demonstrate the realpolitik at play.

Afghanistan China

Fast Thinking

Jun 18, 2021

FAST THINKING: A political ‘wake-up call’ for Latin America

By Atlantic Council

Where will Pedro Castillo take Peru? What does his victory mean for the Latin American left and global investors? Our experts break down how the barefoot candidate will govern.

Democratic Transitions Elections

New Atlanticist

Jun 17, 2021

MARKUP: Our experts annotate the NATO communiqué

By Transatlantic Security Initiative

But what were they really saying amid all the jargon? And what was missing? Atlantic Council experts combed through the document and left their insights in the margins.

Europe & Eurasia European Union

New Atlanticist

Jun 17, 2021

The secret to NATO’s survival: Get political

By Jamie Shea and Michael John Williams

Why has NATO failed to be an effective political forum and what signs of progress must emerge from this week's summit? There are six core areas to watch over the next eighteen months.

Conflict Defense Policy

Fast Thinking

Jun 16, 2021

FAST THINKING: The Biden-Putin staredown

By Atlantic Council

The meeting was far shorter than anticipated but touched on everything from the Arctic and Ukraine to cyberattacks and human rights. Did Biden or Putin come away with any wins? Can US-Russian relations ever be “stable and predictable,” as Biden desires?

Cybersecurity International Organizations

Report

Jun 16, 2021

IN BRIEF: Fifteen takeaways from our new report measuring US and Chinese global influence

By Jonathan D. Moyer, Collin J. Meisel, Austin S. Matthews, David K. Bohl, and Mathew J. Burrows

The Formal Bilateral Influence Capacity Index tracks and quantifies the intensifying competition between China and the United States, measuring influence between pairs of states over the last six decades through the volume of their interactions and the dependence that countries have on one another.

China Politics & Diplomacy

Fast Thinking

Jun 15, 2021

FAST THINKING: A new era for NATO

By Atlantic Council

The band is back together: NATO allies gathered at a Monday summit in Brussels. How will the meeting shape NATO’s future, and what cracks did it reveal in the Alliance?

China Climate Change & Climate Action

New Atlanticist

Jun 15, 2021

Kosovo President Osmani: Today’s challenges require ‘an entirely different governing mindset’

By Katherine Golden

As Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani faces rule of law challenges, high unemployment rates, and a slow vaccine rollout, she’s putting domestic reforms at the top of her priorities—even ahead of the country’s European Union-facilitated dialogue with Serbia.

Crisis Management Inclusive Growth

Fast Thinking

Jun 15, 2021

FAST THINKING: An Airbus-Boeing deal, seventeen years in the making

By Atlantic Council

The agreement, announced just ahead of Biden’s first US-EU Summit, will suspend billions of dollars’ worth of threatened tariffs for five years. So why, after nearly two decades of wrangling, did this happen now?

Economy & Business European Union

Fast Thinking

Jun 15, 2021

FAST THINKING: What to expect from the Biden-Putin summit

By Atlantic Council

On this episode of Fast Thinking, Atlantic Council experts Doug Klain and Melinda Haring discuss who has the most to gain from the summit and whether this meeting has any chance of stabilizing US-Russia relations.

Cybersecurity Politics & Diplomacy

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