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 day after COVID-19 and saving emerging markets

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

May 20, 2020

The day after COVID-19 and saving emerging markets

By Mohammed Soliman and Francisco Campos

While developed markets have responded with historical levels of fiscal stimulus, globally there is immediate fiscal need in the emerging markets to tackle the health and economic fallout.

Africa Coronavirus

New Atlanticist

May 19, 2020

Activists fight COVID-19 disinformation in the Caucasus

By Larry Luxner

Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia now face a new and growing threat: the steady stream of propaganda related to how and why COVID-19 is spreading throughout the Caucasus.

Disinformation The Caucasus

New Atlanticist

May 19, 2020

Seven perspectives on securing the global IoT supply chain

By Trey Herr

Many IoT devices are manufactured abroad and many of these are extremely low cost with little consideration made for security. There is nothing inherently untrustworthy or insecure about foreign manufacturing, and individual firm and product lines are much more fruitful levels of analysis in establishing good security practices from bad. Importantly however—the United States has limited means to enforce its standards in foreign jurisdictions, like China, where the bulk of IoT products are manufactured.

Cybersecurity Internet

New Atlanticist

May 18, 2020

Afghan power sharing deal breaks Kabul’s political impasse and raises hope for unity

By South Asia Center

With the tentative peace deal under fire, continuing havoc wreaked by the COVID-19 pandemic, and a looming US troop withdrawal, the breakthrough in the Afghan government’s political deadlock which emerged on May 15 will undoubtedly be welcomed by many in Afghanistan and the international community.

Afghanistan Conflict

New Atlanticist

May 18, 2020

India’s new COVID MSME package: Critical assistance or symbolic gesture?

By Ketki Bhagwati

The plan's centerpiece, the loan guarantee program, which transfers the full liability of loan losses of eligible borrowers to the exchequer, however, appears ill-conceived at a time when the government is scrambling to contain the fiscal deficit. Structuring the program to cover the credit and performance risks of MSME loan portfolios of financial institutions through risk participation or risk sharing would have been a wiser choice for the government.

Coronavirus India

New Atlanticist

May 18, 2020

Partial Eurobond not the answer to Europe’s coronavirus economic downturn

By Bart Oosterveld

Some have argued that a partial Eurobond instrument, backed for example by France, Italy, and Spain, could be set up as a risk sharing and/or solidarity tool to partially finance the recovery out of the economic downturn caused by the pandemic. This is a truly awful idea as such an instrument would deliver none of the potential benefits of a Eurobond, while simultaneously creating asymmetric risks on capital markets.

Coronavirus European Union

New Atlanticist

May 15, 2020

Iran to remain key energy source for Iraq, says former electricity minister Luay Al-Khatteeb

By Larry Luxner

“The only available option we have at the moment right now is Iran—and let’s be frank. I couldn’t care less as a client from the receiving end about whether this molecule of gas comes from Iran or Saudi Arabia. What really matters to me is that this gas is competitive pricewise, can be delivered as soon as possible, and meets my volume demands," said Luay Al-Khatteeb

Energy Markets & Governance Iran

New Atlanticist

May 15, 2020

Income inequality and life after coronavirus: Flattening the spread

By Alexis Crow

This will be a “crisis wasted” if we do not acknowledge and instill the principles of solidarity and subsidiarity, the dignity of work, and the recognition that each person matters and has something unique to contribute to society.

Coronavirus Future of Work

New Atlanticist

May 14, 2020

Investor, philanthropist David Rubenstein analyzes where post COVID-19 world is headed

By Larry Luxner

Rubenstein predicted the US economy will continue shrinking “for at least six months, maybe nine months, or maybe even longer.” Yet one consequence of that is an explosion of national debt in order to help the American people through the current crisis.

Coronavirus Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

May 14, 2020

Iran’s stock market: Growth in the midst of a recession?

By Sara Bazoobandi

Given the overall economic conditions in Iran (i.e. low growth, production and consumption) maintaining the growth of the stock exchange will be challenging both for the companies and the government.

Economic Sanctions International Markets

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