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: Biden’s $1.9 trillion message to Congress

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

Jan 14, 2021

FAST THINKING: Biden’s $1.9 trillion message to Congress

By Atlantic Council

Joe Biden is unveiling a nearly two trillion dollar package aimed at beating back the pandemic and economic crisis. What’s the key thing to know?

Coronavirus Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Jan 14, 2021

Britain’s foreign-policy debate is back

By Ben Judah

It can no longer be said that the only foreign-policy debate in the United Kingdom is about Brexit. There are now two distinct visions emerging of Britain’s role in the world: one positioned in the political center and the other on the right.

China European Union

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

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