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.

Serbian president pursues EU membership, better US ties, and a bigger role in the Balkans

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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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

Apr 28, 2021

Serbian president pursues EU membership, better US ties, and a bigger role in the Balkans

By Larry Luxner

Speaking with the Atlantic Council, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić talked about Serbia's vaccine diplomacy, economic performance, relations with Kosovo, and more.

Coronavirus Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Apr 25, 2021

Climate diplomacy can help turn action into results: UAE minister

By Larry Luxner

Al Jaber, the United Arab Emirates’ minister of industry and advanced technology, reflected on the connection between climate partnerships and economic results.

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment

New Atlanticist

Apr 23, 2021

Hope amid a ‘window of uncertainty’ for Afghanistan

By Larry Luxner

“The Taliban have a choice to make at this time; they can, in fact, be pragmatic or they can be permanent pariahs,” former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said at the launch of the "Transatlantic charter on Afghan sovereignty, security, and development."

Afghanistan Conflict

Fast Thinking

Apr 23, 2021

FAST THINKING: Why India’s proposed crypto ban could hurt innovation

By Nitya Biyani, Nikhil Raghuveera

As digital currency grows in popularity and blockchain technology grows in influence, governments are facing the challenge of governing the unregulated market while establishing their own regulated alternatives.

Digital Currencies India

New Atlanticist

Apr 21, 2021

A world apart: How wealthy nations can strengthen the COVID safety net

By Jeremy Mark and Vasuki Shastry

The international community has delivered important progress in combating the impact of COVID-19, but much more is needed to assist low-income countries. While the IMF's Special Drawing Rights are a good start, G20 nations must help restructure the debts of developing nations and fund vaccine distribution.

Africa China

New Atlanticist

Apr 21, 2021

Is the US-China strategic competition a cold war?

By Hung Tran

There has been a renewed debate on whether the heightened tension between China and the United States should be called a new cold war.

China Economy & Business

Fast Thinking

Apr 20, 2021

FAST THINKING: After the death of its president, Chad is on the brink

By Atlantic Council

After three decades in power, Chadian President Idriss Déby was killed following clashes with insurgents, state media announced Tuesday. What’s next for the country after the fall of its long-ruling autocrat?

Africa Crisis Management

New Atlanticist

Apr 20, 2021

The new challenge for NATO: Securing a climate-changed world

By Ahmet Uzumcu, Tacan Ildem, and Fatih Ceylan

Allied countries are becoming increasingly aware of the nexus between climate change and security. But there is so much more work to be done in this field—and NATO should set an example in achieving it.

Climate Change & Climate Action NATO

Fast Thinking

Apr 16, 2021

FAST THINKING: Mr. Suga comes to Washington

By Atlantic Council

President Xi, are you watching? US President Joe Biden welcomed Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide to the White House on Friday. And his first in-person meeting with a foreign leader was designed to send a clear signal to China.

East Asia Japan

New Atlanticist

Apr 16, 2021

FastTake: What’s missing from US Intel’s 2021 Threat Assessment

By Barry Pavel and Ronald Marks

The Director of National Intelligence’s Threat Assessment for 2021 outlines the US intelligence community’s projection of the most dangerous threats to the United States over the next year. But when we don’t practice the art of strategic foresight, we may leave ourselves vulnerable to strategic blind spots.

Intelligence Resilience

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