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.

A presidential agenda for the GeoTech Decade that uplifts people, prosperity, and peace

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.

GeoTech Cues

Nov 9, 2020

A presidential agenda for the GeoTech Decade that uplifts people, prosperity, and peace

By David Bray

For both the good of the United States and the world, it will be his duty to ensure the United States emerges from the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the deep economic recession, and its polarized society, renewed, revitalized, and rebuilt. Leveraging new technologies will be an integral part of that mission.

Internet Resilience & Society

Fast Thinking

Nov 8, 2020

FAST THINKING: How a President-elect Biden will confront climate change

By Atlantic Council

In their victory speeches this weekend, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris declared that combating climate change will be one of their administration’s top priorities, alongside containing COVID-19, rebuilding the US economy, rooting out systemic racism, and bridging America’s political divides. Let's zoom in on what's coming next on climate.

Climate Change & Climate Action Elections

Fast Thinking

Nov 8, 2020

FAST THINKING: How Europe will react to a Biden presidency

By Atlantic Council

While many European leaders may hope for a smoother relationship with President-elect Joe Biden—compared to a rocky four years with President Donald Trump—will both sides of the Atlantic be able to smooth over their differences?

Central Europe Elections

Fast Thinking

Nov 7, 2020

FAST THINKING: What Biden’s victory means for America’s allies

By Atlantic Council

Joe Biden has amassed enough votes to become the next president of the United States, on a platform that included restoring America’s fraying relationships around the world. Here's what the countries on the other end of those relationships can expect next.

Elections Politics & Diplomacy

Elections 2020

Nov 7, 2020

Joe Biden just won the presidency: What does that mean for America’s role in the world?

By Atlantic Council

Atlantic Council experts weigh in on what the outcome of the 2020 election means for US foreign policy and America’s role in the world.

Economy & Business Elections

Inflection Points

Nov 6, 2020

Biden’s victory provides an ‘inflection point’ for American democracy

By Frederick Kempe

A Biden victory provides an opportunity for Americans to regain their appetite for compromise at home to tackle the country’s most pressing challenges and for international common cause to safeguard the gains in democracy and prosperity of the past seventy-five years.

Elections United States and Canada

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

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