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 European Magnitsky Law—A milestone with a lot of potential

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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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

Dec 10, 2020

The European Magnitsky Law—A milestone with a lot of potential

By Hagar Hajjar Chemali

The European Magnitsky Act has some limitations, but if implemented and enforced consistently, it has the potential to make a large impact in the global fight against human rights abuse because of the opportunity it creates for the United States and Europe to coordinate their efforts together.

European Union Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

New Atlanticist

Dec 10, 2020

Gender equality can accelerate Latin America’s post-COVID-19 recovery: Men and boys must take part

By Valentina Sader, Cristina Guevara

In Latin America and the Caribbean, this year's Human Rights Day marks a grim trend as COVID-19 sets back decades of progress for women and girls. And without enlisting everyone, including men, in the fight for women’s empowerment, society’s ability to achieve gender equality is limited.

Caribbean Coronavirus

New Atlanticist

Dec 10, 2020

France: Lost in translation?

By Laetitia Garriott de Cayeux

French President Emmanuel Macron seems to be feuding with the press again—but not in France, this time, but with the American media. The dust-up concerns the separation of church and state and comes as Macron, leader of one of the United States’ closest allies, prepares to launch a major new initiative in France’s fight against religious extremism.

France Media

New Atlanticist

Dec 9, 2020

China’s economic transformation must change its relationship with the world, says World Bank President David Malpass

By Katherine Golden

China’s fourteenth five-year plan has set its aims high: achieving a majority middle-class country, through income redistribution, reducing economic inequality, and property reform and ownership. But China’s drive to reform its economy “means that China needs to also then have a different relationship with the rest of the world,” according to World Bank President David Malpass.

China Coronavirus

New Atlanticist

Dec 9, 2020

NATO must adapt to Afghanistan’s generation shift or it will lose the peace

By Ben Acheson

While the jihadi generation may be the ones who shape and sign a peace agreement with the Taliban, the youth bulge will have to implement and sustain it. They are the Afghans needed to achieve a common international aim: that nineteen one-year wars are not followed by nineteen one-year peace processes.

Afghanistan Conflict

New Atlanticist

Dec 9, 2020

Preparing for the day after peace in Afghanistan

By Khyber Farahi

While a political settlement may end the conflict, sustaining peace will depend on a common definition of what peace will look like and delivering on the promise of a better future for the Afghan people.

Afghanistan Conflict

New Atlanticist

Dec 9, 2020

NATO needs continuous responses in cyberspace

By Franklin D. Kramer, Lauren Speranza, and Conor Rodihan

Today, NATO’s security is threatened by Russia’s and China’s continuous cyberattacks on the Alliance and its members. To accomplish its mission of deterrence and defense, NATO needs to implement a strategy of proactive, continuous responses to China and Russia in cyberspace, where great power competition is playing out in real time.

Cybersecurity Europe & Eurasia

New Atlanticist

Dec 9, 2020

Working hand-in-glove: A first-hand account of Lloyd Austin’s leadership in Iraq

By Marc J. Sievers

Lloyd Austin was a great soldier, an inspiring commander to his troops, and a down-to-earth, approachable colleague who we civilians were privileged to work alongside.

Defense Policy Iraq

New Atlanticist

Dec 8, 2020

Mo Ibrahim: Why Africa must emerge more resilient from the COVID crisis

By David A. Wemer

A well-known Afro-optimist, Ibrahim has invested in the continent’s democratic progress and has focused on tackling practical governance issues. While the pandemic has exposed such problems across the world, he noted, one of its lessons is that Africa must be “more self-sufficient” and “resilient.”

Africa Coronavirus

New Atlanticist

Dec 8, 2020

Biden picks a general: Here’s how Lloyd Austin could reinforce civilian control at the Pentagon

By William F. Wechsler

With careful and consistent attention to the messages he sends through his words, actions, and appointments, there is no reason why a Secretary Austin can’t also succeed at reinforcing longstanding American ideals on civilian-military relations.

Defense Industry Defense Policy

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