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.

FAST THINKING: How bad will Israeli-Palestinian violence get?

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.

Fast Thinking

May 12, 2021

FAST THINKING: How bad will Israeli-Palestinian violence get?

By Atlantic Council

Is an all-out war brewing? What does this mean for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s future? What role will regional and global powers now play in the confrontation? From Washington to Jerusalem, our experts are here to weigh in.

Cybersecurity Energy & Environment

Fast Thinking

May 11, 2021

FAST THINKING: How to stop the next pipeline hack

By Atlantic Council

The hack has been tied to an Eastern European (and possibly Russia-based) collective known as DarkSide and US President Joe Biden has said that Russia bears some responsibility for the hack, even though the attack does not appear to have been state-sponsored. How can companies fight back against this rising trend of ransomware attacks? What can the Biden administration do?

Cybersecurity Eastern Europe

New Atlanticist

May 11, 2021

Experts react: EU and India clash on vaccines, make strides on trade

By South Asia Center

Leaders from the EU and India met virtually in Portugal, walking away with a renewal of free-trade negotiations, the start of two additional trade agreements, and a new Connectivity Partnership. Here's what our experts are saying about the meeting.

Climate Change & Climate Action Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

May 11, 2021

Afghanistan: What now to avoid disaster?

By James Cunningham, Hugo Llorens, Ronald E. Neumann, Richard Olson, and Earl Anthony Wayne

Avoiding complete defeat for US goals after the military withdrawal will require swift, coordinated action from Washington. Five former top US diplomats to Afghanistan reveal how to do it.

Afghanistan Conflict

New Atlanticist

May 11, 2021

How operational collaboration can improve US cyber capability and response

By Gregory Rattray

Dealing with cyber challenges to US national security will take operational collaboration that unites all levels of the government and the private sector. These efforts can maximize the strategic impact of public- and private-sector capabilities, speed up defenders’ response times, and provide organizations with advanced warning of potential attacks and complex threats to resilience.

Cybersecurity Technology & Innovation

New Atlanticist

May 10, 2021

Deputy secretary of state: US not trying to ‘contain’ Russia and China, but hold them accountable

By Daniel Malloy

Wendy Sherman joined the Atlantic Council's EU-US Future Forum to discuss the Iran nuclear talks, NATO burden-sharing, and more. Here are the key takeaways.

China Civil Society

New Atlanticist

May 7, 2021

The risky logic behind China’s economic strategy: ‘Politics in command’

By Dexter Tiff Roberts

As the regime comes to see private companies as a rising threat, we’re entering a new era of Chinese state capitalism.

China Corruption

New Atlanticist

May 6, 2021

Europe’s post-COVID strategy: Stay close to allies and build strength at home

By Katherine Golden

Cooperation between the United States and the EU to distribute vaccines globally would constitute a partnership “to save the world,” said Thierry Breton, European commissioner for internal market, at the Atlantic Council's EU-US Future Forum.

China Coronavirus

New Atlanticist

May 6, 2021

Annalena Baerbock’s message to America: She’s in sync with Biden

By Daniel Malloy

In one of her first interviews since becoming a candidate for chancellor, the leader of the German Greens reveals her transatlantic agenda to the Atlantic Council's EU-US Future Forum.

Climate Change & Climate Action European Union

New Atlanticist

May 5, 2021

Boosting small business is crucial to a smart recovery

By Nicole Goldin

A focus on supporting small business is vital for economic recovery. Here's how governments and international institutions can step up.

Economy & Business Inclusive Growth

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