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.

Will digital money belong to democrats or despots?

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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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

Aug 20, 2021

Will digital money belong to democrats or despots?

By Arjun Bisen

As democracies engage in long and robust debates about the tradeoffs and risks of CBDCs, authoritarian governments continue to push forward with a simpler, centralized vision that strengthens their grip on power with significant geopolitical and human rights implications.

China Digital Currencies

New Atlanticist

Aug 19, 2021

What Washington owes the American people after its Afghanistan failure

By Christopher Preble

The discussion about what the United States should do in the aftermath of its war in Afghanistan should proceed in three phases: now, soon, and soon thereafter.

Afghanistan Conflict

Fast Thinking

Aug 19, 2021

FAST THINKING: Was the war worth it? Afghanistan’s former ambassador to the US, Roya Rahmani, weighs in

By Irfan Nooruddin

Long-time diplomat and steadfast women’s rights champion Roya Rahmani, Afghanistan's former ambassador to the United States, joins South Asia Center Director Irfan Nooruddin for a special episode of Fast Thinking to share her thoughts on whether the war in Afghanistan was worth it, the crucial role of women in the country's future, and how to evaluate the Taliban’s promises.

Afghanistan Education

New Atlanticist

Aug 19, 2021

A strategic assessment from India: Kabul’s chaos makes Pakistan look more dangerous

By Vappala Balachandran

As has been the case for millennia, India’s ambitions in Afghanistan are cultural in nature, not military. The same cannot be said for Pakistan.

Afghanistan Conflict

New Atlanticist

Aug 19, 2021

Is Kabul airport the next Dien Bien Phu?

By Harlan Ullman

The 1954 French disaster in Vietnam offers a dangerous parallel to the current US evacuation efforts from Afghanistan.

Afghanistan Conflict

Experts react

Aug 18, 2021

Experts react: What the fall of Afghanistan means for Europe

By Atlantic Council experts

As policymakers in Washington grapple with the stark reality of losing Afghanistan, their counterparts across Europe are no less flummoxed over what happens next. Will Brussels be as ready to support future American foreign policy initiatives?

Afghanistan Conflict

Fast Thinking

Aug 18, 2021

FAST THINKING: What does the fall of Kabul mean for India and Pakistan?

By Irfan Nooruddin, Harris A. Samad

On this episode of Fast Thinking, Atlantic Council South Asia Center Director Irfan Nooruddin sits down with Harris Samad to talk about the history at play, whether the two countries will be able to align in their approach with the new regime, and if the Taliban’s success will embolden other extremist groups in the region.

Afghanistan Conflict

New Atlanticist

Aug 17, 2021

The Taliban now controls the Afghan economy. Here’s what that means.

By Alex Zerden

The reality of a strengthened Taliban running the Afghan government creates substantial and imminent economic policy challenges for the United States and the international community.

Afghanistan Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Aug 17, 2021

Vietnam’s lessons for the Afghanistan failure: Don’t count out US leadership just yet

By Daniel Fried

What will the debacle in Afghanistan mean for US strategy in the world and for its friends and allies who are watching all of this with dismay? For that question, the answer may lie in the consequences of US failure in Vietnam.

Afghanistan Conflict

New Atlanticist

Aug 15, 2021

Haiti needs the world’s help. Now.

By Jason Marczak, Wazim Mowla

The world must learn from the mistakes of the past: funding failing to reach Haiti, subpar coordination with the Haitian people, and a relief effort that generated dependence on the international relief community.

Caribbean Democratic Transitions

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