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.

America’s commitment to democracy must prevail at home and abroad

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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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.

Elections 2020

Nov 6, 2020

America’s commitment to democracy must prevail at home and abroad

By Daniel Fried

To pass the existential test now before us, we Americans must not only hold fast to our best values at home, but also uphold our commitment to reflecting those values as we look abroad.

Elections Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Nov 6, 2020

A zero-sum game: What can we expect during the upcoming elections in Myanmar?

By Rudabeh Shahid

While Myanmar gained attention for the restoration of some democratic rights in 2010 following years of military rule, the upcoming election is at risk of undermining this progress amid widespread political repression and human rights violations. There is strong evidence that the elections will be neither free, fair, nor inclusive, as a result of the suppression of free speech, use of hate speech, and cancellation of voting in several regions.

Coronavirus Democratic Transitions

New Atlanticist

Nov 5, 2020

Bolivia emerges from its electoral turbulence

By Gabriella Cova

As Arce prepares to begin his term on November 8, he must consider Bolivia’s priorities and relationships in the region in order to secure prosperity for the nation and a continued commitment to upholding democracy.

Elections Latin America

Fast Thinking

Nov 5, 2020

FAST THINKING: The US election’s implications for allies and adversaries

By Atlantic Council

We don’t yet know the winner of the US presidential race—and, with the count so close and the prospect of contested results, we might not for some time, but the world is already drawing lessons from the outcome. So what are the likely takeaways in foreign capitals right now?

Elections Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Nov 5, 2020

China’s fourteenth five-year plan: The technologies that shall not be named

By Jeremy Mark

Amid the CCP Central Committee’s paeans to General Secretary Xi Jinping and a laundry list of expected reforms and goals to be reached by 2025, the plan contains a note of uncertainty about an era that looks to be dominated by competition with the United States over advanced technology.

China International Markets

New Atlanticist

Nov 5, 2020

What really lurks behind the official unemployment rate

By Ekta Deshmukh

The headline numbers leave out more than just the numbers of those who are underemployed, discouraged, and furloughed and thus overlook crucial insights that more accurately represent the labor force.

Coronavirus Future of Work

Elections 2020

Nov 4, 2020

What America’s allies and adversaries will make of the 2020 election

By William F. Wechsler

Rather than provide an opportunity to “bind up the nation’s wounds” once again, the election has instead clearly confirmed the deep divisions in American society by class, region, race, gender, religion, and culture. No matter who wins the presidency, the result will likely be a nation increasingly focused inward on the implications of these divisions.

Elections Politics & Diplomacy

Global Energy Forum

Nov 4, 2020

What the US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement means for the global fight against climate change

By Margaret Jackson and Jorge Gastelumendi

The pandemic illustrated the critical role for strong national leadership in combating a crisis and what happens when countries—including the United States—fail to cooperate on a multilateral level to find a solution.

Climate Change & Climate Action United States and Canada

New Atlanticist

Oct 31, 2020

Armenia and Azerbaijan should seize chance for peace

By Matthew Bryza

As fighting intensifies, the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan would be wise to embrace the political cover their Russian and Turkish counterparts might provide.

Conflict Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

Elections 2020

Oct 30, 2020

Five big questions as America votes: Europe

By Future Europe Initiative

For the past seven decades, Europe has been the United States’ political, economic, and security partner of first resort. Now, as the transatlantic relationship is challenged by internal and external forces, the EU and the United States find themselves at a crossroads in the relationship.

Coronavirus Digital Policy

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