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.

The way forward in Afghanistan: How Biden can achieve sustainable peace and US security

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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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

Jan 13, 2021

The way forward in Afghanistan: How Biden can achieve sustainable peace and US security

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

Afghanistan may actually now have a chance to achieve some form of political settlement and significantly reduced violence.

Afghanistan Conflict

Fast Thinking

Jan 13, 2021

FAST THINKING: What we’re watching in North Korea

By Atlantic Council

As Americans were preoccupied with violence at the US Capitol, officials in Pyongyang articulated their national-security strategy.

East Asia Korea

Fast Thinking

Jan 12, 2021

FAST THINKING: What’s next for the insurrectionists?

By Atlantic Council

For weeks on far-right networks across the web, extremists discussed their plans for violence. Is it happening again?

Elections National Security

Fast Thinking

Jan 11, 2021

FAST THINKING: A diplomat to lead the CIA

By Atlantic Council

The choice is conventional and unorthodox at once: but Bill Burns has thirty-plus years of experience. Can he make it work?

Elections Politics & Diplomacy

Fast Thinking

Jan 8, 2021

FAST THINKING: What Biden can do with a Democratic Congress

By Atlantic Council

Democrats have control of both Congress and the executive branch for the first time in a decade. That really opens things up for the incoming Biden administration, not least when it comes to its policy agenda on the economy, climate change, and national security. What can we expect?

Elections National Security

Fast Thinking

Jan 7, 2021

FAST THINKING: How the Capitol riot was coordinated online

By Atlantic Council

The team at the Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab has conducted exhaustive research into how the event happened, combing through social media and other networks frequented by the far right. Let’s break down what they found.

International Norms National Security

Feature

Jan 7, 2021

South Asia: The road ahead in 2021

By South Asia Center

The shadow of 2020 is likely to loom large over the coming year for South Asia, which faces unprecedented economic challenges, deterioration of democratic norms and institutions, and the existential threat of climate change.

Afghanistan Bangladesh

New Atlanticist

Jan 7, 2021

It all depends on what happens next

By Daniel Fried

A mob summoned by the US president halted democracy in America. The long-term damage to the country depends on what happens next.

Elections International Norms

New Atlanticist

Jan 7, 2021

What European strategic autonomy requires: smarter talk, more action

By Olivier-Rémy Bel

Focusing on action rather than sterile debates does not mean conversations on these matters have to end. There is still a major question to be answered: What are the aims of strategic autonomy? What would Europe do with it?

Defense Policy Defense Technologies

New Atlanticist

Jan 6, 2021

Learning from the abyss on Capitol Hill. What now?

By Frederick Kempe

The trauma should prompt us to redouble our efforts within the United States and among allies and partners to simultaneously strengthen our principles and our bonds.

Elections International Norms

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