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.

Trump has escalated his confrontation with China. Here’s what that means.

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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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

May 29, 2020

Trump has escalated his confrontation with China. Here’s what that means.

By David A. Wemer

During a news conference at the White House on May 29, US President Donald J. Trump rebuked China for its response to the coronavirus pandemic and alleged violation of Hong Kong’s sovereignty. The US president argued that China’s behavior has endangered US economic interests and national security.

China Coronavirus

New Atlanticist

May 29, 2020

National Guard’s COVID-19 response combines civilian skillsets with unique military utility

By Katherine Golden

The US National Guard is stepping up their COVID-19 response with food banks, testing sites, nursing homes, and personal protective equipment distribution across the United States. “What makes us particularly effective in relation to the COVID-19 response is the unique, very deep connections with our communities and our homelands,” the Chief of the National Guard Bureau General Joseph L. Lengyel said.

Coronavirus Defense Industry

New Atlanticist

May 29, 2020

Afghanistan needs a settlement

By Omar Samad

Sitting at a new crossroads, Afghanistan is once again tilting between an opportunity to take the path to peace and a political settlement—hard as it may seem—or to bounce back on the path of more violence and conflict with no end in sight.

Afghanistan Conflict

New Atlanticist

May 29, 2020

Italian, Spanish diplomats stress EU solidarity in wake of COVID-19 economic response

By Larry Luxner

Top officials from Italy and Spain—the two European Union member states hit hardest by the coronavirus pandemic—praised the EU’s May 27 announcement of a €750 billion ($826.5 billion) recovery program to rescue the bloc from its worst economic crisis in its history.

Coronavirus Eurozone

New Atlanticist

May 28, 2020

Coronavirus should spur DoD to build back resilience and agility

By John F. Wharton and Tate Nurkin

A layered and targeted response is required to meet the proximate challenges to the defense and dual-use supply chain, which is critical to national security. This crisis, as terrible as it is, may be the catalyst for taking steps today that are necessary to build the supply chain resilience and industry agility required to meet future national crises.

Coronavirus Defense Industry

New Atlanticist

May 28, 2020

Cooperation key to transatlantic coronavirus recovery and energy transition

By David A. Wemer

Continued energy cooperation between the United States and the European Union has been key in reducing Europe’s energy dependence, but now must also help guide both countries out of the coronavirus economic crisis and cut global emissions in the face of continued climate change.

Climate Change & Climate Action Coronavirus

New Atlanticist

May 28, 2020

Costa Rica’s accession to the OECD will continue to improve its competitiveness

By María Fernanda Bozmoski

It is hardly contested that Costa Rica’s accession to the OECD will allow the country’s economy to become more dynamic and diversified as it adopts the organization’s standards and becomes more competitive. But accession to the OECD is not the end of the road for Costa Rican development.

Economy & Business Latin America

New Atlanticist

May 28, 2020

The EU recovery plan: A “Merkel” but not a “Hamilton” moment

By Hung Tran

While the EU coronavirus recovery plan is a good step toward more fiscal cohesion, it is nowhere near fostering a fiscal union.

Coronavirus European Union

New Atlanticist

May 28, 2020

Nepal’s #BackoffIndia hashtag was a long time coming

By Rudabeh Shahid

India and Nepal’s “special relationship,” clearly leaves Nepal at the short end of the stick. New Delhi must consult more with Kathmandu and reassure its smaller sibling that policies meant to increase ties between both neighbors—such as the building of the link road—are beneficial to citizens of both countries, rather than come at the expense of the Nepalese.

India Nationalism

New Atlanticist

May 27, 2020

Suma Chakrabarti says EBRD is committed to financing post-coronavirus recovery

By Larry Luxner

Unlike the much larger International Monetary Fund (IMF) or World Bank, the London-based European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) stands out as being the only international financial institution that will focus its 2020-21 activities exclusively on the COVID-19 pandemic.

Coronavirus Inclusive Growth

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