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.

Five big questions as America votes: NATO

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.

Elections 2020

Oct 15, 2020

Five big questions as America votes: NATO

By Transatlantic Security Initiative

Although US leadership will continue to be the driving force behind NATO’s strategy, direction, and solidarity going forward, the extent of the United States’ commitment to the Alliance and its future role is still being called into question.

Elections NATO

New Atlanticist

Oct 15, 2020

Why Pakistan’s TikTok ban is a bad sign for investors

By Kalsoom Lakhani

Banning content is different from banning platforms. In a conservative country like Pakistan, clear delineations around content standards not only guides players navigating this landscape, it also helps ease the risk of investors looking to operate in the country.

Digital Policy Inclusive Growth

New Atlanticist

Oct 14, 2020

Honoring global leaders and unsung heroes in a time of world crisis

By David A. Wemer

As the devastating global public health and economic crises of the coronavirus pandemic continue, the Atlantic Council took time on October 14 to celebrate two stewards of the global economy and a legendary performer and philanthropist for their leadership in helping their fellow global citizens.

Coronavirus Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Oct 13, 2020

Trouble underway: Seven perspectives on maritime cybersecurity

By Cyber Statecraft Initiative

With greater than 90 percent of all global trade tonnage transported by sea and vital global energy networks, maritime infrastructure has never been more essential and yet also more at risk.

Cybersecurity Internet

New Atlanticist

Oct 13, 2020

What Greece has learned (and Brussels should too) from the EastMed crisis

By Leon Levy

Greece has learned plenty about the way the world works these last few months. We’re about to find out what Brussels has learned as well.

Conflict Crisis Management

New Atlanticist

Oct 10, 2020

Armenia-Azerbaijan ceasefire revives “Basic Principles” and demonstrates Putin’s continued sway

By Matthew Bryza

Russian President Vladimir Putin filled a diplomatic vacuum in the South Caucasus on October 9 by cajoling the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia to agree to a ceasefire in their long-time war over Nagorno Karabakh, which resumed on September 27.

Conflict Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

New Atlanticist

Oct 10, 2020

Don’t abandon peace for Afghanistan

By James Cunningham, John Negroponte, Ronald Neumann, Hugo Llorens, Richard Olson, and Earl Anthony Wayne

An accelerated US withdrawal will effectively mean abandoning the fruits of two years of determined US diplomacy with the Taliban, Afghan partners in Kabul, our allies, and regional and international partners to get the Afghan parties to the negotiating table.

Afghanistan Conflict

New Atlanticist

Oct 9, 2020

Rising solar: Investing in Japan’s energy transition

By Alexis Crow

The ability to invest in renewable energy assets in Japan—and thus to contribute to the country’s energy transition—also presents a significant opportunity for long-term capital from around the globe

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy Transitions

New Atlanticist

Oct 8, 2020

Kyrgyzstan gripped by political chaos again: What comes next?

By Eurasia Center

For the third time in fifteen years, citizens in Kyrgyzstan rose up in protest, as opposition groups took over government buildings amidst charges of vote rigging in the recent parliamentary elections. Atlantic Council experts respond to the recent instability in Kyrgyzstan and what it means for the region and the international community.

Central Asia Corruption

New Atlanticist

Oct 7, 2020

The time to address an emerging market crisis is before it hits

By Jeremy Mark and Vasuki Shastry

The global economy is too weak to wait for another full-blown financial crisis to erupt. Now is the time to anticipate solutions.

Coronavirus International Financial Institutions

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