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.

Confronting the disaster left behind in Afghanistan

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

Sep 10, 2021

Confronting the disaster left behind in Afghanistan

By Mir Sadat

The United States screwed up the endgame in Afghanistan once again, but working with allies and private rescue efforts, there's time to make things right.

Afghanistan Conflict

New Atlanticist

Sep 10, 2021

Gregory Meeks: For counterterrorism and economic opportunity, turn toward Africa

By Katherine Golden

After the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, it has become clear that “terrorism now is global, and we’ve got to work in a multilateral way to combat and fight that,” said US Representative Gregory Meeks.

Afghanistan Africa

New Atlanticist

Sep 9, 2021

Sanctions alone won’t tame the Taliban

By Brian O’Toole

The United States and its allies will need to wield both existing and new sanctions as strategically as possible, but changing the regime's behavior will be difficult.

Afghanistan Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

9/11 - Twenty years on

Sep 9, 2021

We have heroes, not avengers: A generation shaped by 9/11

By Caroline Multerer

The children of 2001 are frustrated—but not disgruntled.

Resilience Resilience & Society

Fast Thinking

Sep 3, 2021

FAST THINKING: Who’s funding the Taliban?

By Julia Friedlander

On this episode of Fast Thinking, the Atlantic Council's Julia Friedlander and Mark Nakhla, the executive vice president of Kharon, dive into the Taliban's funding networks (don't miss the helpful visuals!), which are primarily outside the reach of the international finance system.

Afghanistan Conflict

New Atlanticist

Sep 3, 2021

Italy shows how defense partnership is done

By Alessandro Minuto-Rizzo

The country may be among the United States’ most reliable allies in Europe—which is why it should help lead NATO.

Defense Policy Europe & Eurasia

New Atlanticist

Sep 3, 2021

Germany’s defense minister: Only political will can protect Europe

By Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer

The debate over EU security and defense should be about political will—not institutions.

Defense Policy Europe & Eurasia

New Atlanticist

Sep 3, 2021

American security cooperation needs an ‘integrity check’

By R. Clarke Cooper

Washington must prove why choosing the United States as a security partner remains the best option.

Afghanistan Conflict

TURKEYSource

Sep 2, 2021

Expert react: What the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan means for Turkey

By Atlantic Council IN TURKEY

The Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan has changed the regional landscape. For Turkey, a NATO member that has made significant contributions to the mission in Afghanistan, here's what that will mean, straight from our experts.

Afghanistan Conflict

Fast Thinking

Sep 1, 2021

FAST THINKING: Ukraine’s president finally gets a White House visit

By Atlantic Council

What message does the get-together send to Moscow? What further hurdles must these allies overcome?

Conflict Crisis Management

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