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.

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

Stay updated

Explore our unique analysis

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.

New Atlanticist

Aug 7, 2020

Trump’s TikTok ban is bad policy

By Justin Sherman

There are real security questions to ask about Chinese government influence over technology companies; but the idea of broadly banning TikTok is a bad one that steps in the wrong direction on protecting a free and open internet.

China Cybersecurity

New Atlanticist

Aug 7, 2020

The Atlantic Council remembers Brent Scowcroft

By Atlantic Council

Atlantic Council experts react to the passing of Brent Scowcroft and reflect on his legacy as a statesman, strategist, and public servant.

New Atlanticist

Aug 6, 2020

De-escalating tariff threats could jumpstart US–EU trade ties and support post-COVID 19 economic recovery

By Ole Moehr

Instead of imposing additional tariffs now, the Trump administration should attempt to ease the trade tensions with the EU ahead of the WTO’s ruling this fall on US subsidies, which will likely entitle the European Commission to impose tariffs on a similar magnitude of US products.

European Union Trade and tariffs

New Atlanticist

Aug 6, 2020

Argentina reaches key debt deal amid COVID-19 downturn

By Valentina Sader

Avoiding its ninth default, this deal opens avenues for renewed confidence in the government’s ability to continue to safeguard the economy while establishing a necessary long-term macroeconomic plan for Argentina.

Argentina Coronavirus

New Atlanticist

Aug 5, 2020

The IMF, the World Bank, and South Asia in the face of COVID-19

By Capucine Querenet

Given the region’s deteriorating economic outlook, heavy funding from International Financial Institutions (IFIs) is crucial to prevent a prolonged public health crisis and financial woes. Unfortunately, this has not yet materialized.

Coronavirus International Financial Institutions

New Atlanticist

Aug 5, 2020

Thirty years after Iraq invasion of Kuwait, lessons for the US today

By Harlan Ullman

A retrospective look at Shield/Storm is applicable to the current National Defense Strategy and its mandate to deter and—if war comes—defeat an array of potential adversaries

National Security Security Partnerships

New Atlanticist

Aug 4, 2020

Scenes from a broken Beirut

By Nicholas Blanford

My apartment was heavily damaged by the explosion. All the windows were gone, the frames blasted out, even on the other side of the building from the explosion. I spoke to friends and colleagues in the area. They all have tales about calamities, material and personal, that have befallen them.

Lebanon Middle East

New Atlanticist

Aug 4, 2020

Extreme heat: What can be done to stop this “silent killer”?

By Kathy Baughman McLeod

While extreme heat is one of the planet’s clearest signals of global warming—last year was the world’s second hottest since 1880—it remains an invisible threat: a “silent killer” lurking in relatively clear view.

Climate Change & Climate Action Resilience

New Atlanticist

Aug 4, 2020

As COVID-19 spreads, Africa needs another “London Moment”

By Vasuki Shastry and Jeremy Mark

Last month’s Group of Twenty (G20) finance ministers’ meeting proved that the international community is too cautious about helping Africa in its time of need. Is the G20 prepared to face the consequences of its inaction?

Africa Coronavirus

New Atlanticist

Jul 31, 2020

Polish PM calls for transatlantic unity on troop deployments and China

By David A. Wemer

Speaking at an Atlantic Council Front Page event, Morawiecki argued that “the NATO alliance is so important for the world to keep peace,” that allies must continue to work toward “consensus” in their actions.

Coronavirus European Union

Share

Issue briefs and reports