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.

Biden’s Europe trip can help secure Afghanistan’s future. Here’s how.

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

Jun 9, 2021

Biden’s Europe trip can help secure Afghanistan’s future. Here’s how.

By Earl Anthony Wayne, James B. Cunningham

The democracies meeting this week in Europe should signal continued concrete support for Afghans who do not share the Taliban’s worldview and who seek a peace without a Taliban-imposed regime.

Afghanistan
Conflict

New Atlanticist

Jun 8, 2021

Biden is building a doctrine around democracy. Will it work?

By Daniel Fried

It’s a compelling vision. But achieving it will be fraught. As the United States has discovered many times, big plans have a way of breaking down when they meet messy reality.

China
International Norms

New Atlanticist

Jun 7, 2021

Secretary General Stoltenberg explains why NATO is getting serious about cyber and China ‘is not an adversary’

By Daniel Malloy

Jens Stoltenberg appeared at the Atlantic Council’s Washington headquarters ahead of next week’s NATO summit in Brussels and on a US trip that is also scheduled to include an Oval Office visit with President Joe Biden.

China
Cybersecurity

New Atlanticist

Jun 3, 2021

China is a present danger to Europe. NATO’s defense plans must respond.

By John R. Deni

In not emphasizing threats from China in the DDA, the Alliance comes up short. China isn’t some challenge of tomorrow or threat that has yet to fully form; even today, it is a clear and present threat to allied security in Europe and beyond.

China
Europe & Eurasia

Fast Thinking

Jun 2, 2021

FAST THINKING: Israel after Bibi

By Atlantic Council

The “change government,” which must still be confirmed by a vote in the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, would bring together a broad array of Netanyahu foes from the far left to the far right. But can a new government really end the political chaos of recent years?

Elections
Israel

New Atlanticist

Jun 2, 2021

The gathering threat to the US in Kyrgyzstan

By Lillian Posner

As President Sadyr Japarov takes aim at Kyrgyz and US institutions, the US has not only an opportunity but a responsibility to help with democracy-building and make sure the Kyrgyz people get the message.

Central Asia
Corruption

New Atlanticist

Jun 1, 2021

Assessing Russia’s role and responsibility in the Colonial Pipeline attack

By Scott Jasper

Russia benefits politically from the chaos of this attack and Russia has the power and duty to do something about such hacks, even if the weapon is in someone else's hands.

Cybersecurity
National Security

Fast Thinking

Jun 1, 2021

FAST THINKING: Ransomware attacks are on the rise. What can we do about it?

By Atlantic Council

On this episode of Fast Thinking, David Bray, director of the Geotech Center, and Trey Herr, director of the Cyber Statecraft Initiative, dive into the geopolitical, cyber-defense, and small business implications of the growing trend of ransomware attacks - and suggest effective policy solutions to minimize vulnerabilities and adapt to future threats.

Cybersecurity
Russia

New Atlanticist

May 27, 2021

How to solve today’s tech challenges: secure data, close the digital divide, boost leadership

By Rose Butchart

The decade to come will be the “GeoTech Decade,” in which the technology trends that began in previous years will become fixed in their impact on society. The Commission on the Geopolitical Impacts of New Technologies and Data launched its first report with recommendations to guide leaders as they make choices regarding technology and data.

Cybersecurity
Disinformation

New Atlanticist

May 27, 2021

New technologies will reshape the world in the next decade. What does that mean for the US?

By Katherine Golden

What can the United States do to reap the benefits of the GeoTech Decade and tame the era’s threats? Here are the key takeaways from the conversation.

Cybersecurity
Disinformation

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