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.

COVID-19 can trigger a global economic crisis: Time for the G20 to act

New Atlanticist Mar 6, 2025

How European leaders are responding to Trump’s approach to Ukraine and Europe

From London and Berlin to Paris and Brussels, European leaders have taken several notable steps this week on security. This follows the blow-up between the Ukrainian and US presidents on February 28.

New Atlanticist Feb 26, 2025

Why the US should not lift sanctions against Russia

By Charles Lichfield

Sanctions are having an unmistakable effect, albeit below the inflated expectations of many in the West in early 2022. Lifting them now would be a mistake.

Conflict Economic Sanctions

New Atlanticist Mar 5, 2025

The Egyptian plan for postwar Gaza is a good starting point—but it needs changes

By Thomas S. Warrick

While many obstacles remain, the Egyptian proposal could form the starting point for negotiations over a workable plan for postwar Gaza.

Conflict Crisis Management

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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

Mar 2, 2020

COVID-19 can trigger a global economic crisis: Time for the G20 to act

By Hung Tran

As the novel coronavirus crisis builds and threatens a global economic recession, and the need for global cooperation is most acute, it remains to be seen if world leaders can step up and provide effective leadership to mitigate the risk. Judging by the bickering and mistrust displayed in the past two months, it may take a while for such cooperation to materialize.

China Coronavirus

New Atlanticist

Mar 2, 2020

Coronavirus could spark global recession, OECD warns

By Atlantic Council

A leading international organization warned of the risks of global recession sparked by coronavirus. Earlier, stock markets had recovered after central bank announcements aimed at reassuring investors. More cases were confirmed globally, with a second death in the United States. Disruptions to business and travel increased.

Economy & Business Politics & Diplomacy

Long Take

Feb 29, 2020

The Greater Caspian region: A new Silk Road, with or without a new belt

By Matthew Bryza

With the signing of a US-Taliban peace agreement, now might be a good time to look ahead to how Afghanistan might strengthen its economic connectivity with both its neighbors and more distant markets.

Afghanistan Central Asia

New Atlanticist

Feb 29, 2020

Agreement with the Taliban: What next?

By James B. Cunningham

The agreement is the best opportunity available for the beginning of discussions among Afghans of Afghanistan’s future, and of peace after decades of conflict. Even if it proves passable, the road to peace will be long and difficult, as indeed the path to today’s opening of the door to negotiations has been. No one should underestimate the difficulty of reaching a peace agreement and thus the need for time, patience, and persistence.

Afghanistan Conflict

New Atlanticist

Feb 28, 2020

Trump’s India visit: Limited success and cause for concern

By Trevor Cloen

President Donald J. Trump’s visit to India on February 24—the eighth of any US president—was widely lauded by domestic media in India and produced a series of small deals in arms, energy, and nuclear cooperation. The trip failed, however, to produce large or transformative agreements to advance the US-India strategic partnership, while laying bare troubling contradictions in the bilateral relationship.

India Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Feb 28, 2020

Global policymakers weigh options to slow coronavirus spread

By David A. Wemer

While researchers race to develop a vaccine for the disease, focus must turn to “non-pharmaceutical interventions,” such as “community distancing, community mitigation, school closure, and isolation of patients,” Thomas P. Bossert said on February 28. “Once the spread starts getting to 1 percent of the population, these non-pharmaceutical interventions, don’t work,” he explained.

East Asia Resilience

New Atlanticist

Feb 27, 2020

Tensions mount in Syria after strike on Turkish troops

By David A. Wemer

Atlantic Council experts respond to the airstrikes against Turkish soldiers in Idlib, as Russia and the Assad regime continue their collision course with Turkey in Syria.

Conflict Syria

New Atlanticist

Feb 27, 2020

Trump’s India trip comes up empty on trade: What’s next?

By Mark Linscott

After their failure to get a new deal, the United States and India certainly should turn to other issues in their future engagement on trade. With all of their focus on a handful of issues, mostly involving market access for bilateral trade in goods, the two sides allowed other important issues to fester, and perhaps the best opportunity to begin to develop a record of incremental confidence-building trade outcomes will be found in these areas, such as intellectual property rights, digital services, and better protection and promotion of investment through more transparent and predictable regulatory approaches.

India Trade and tariffs

New Atlanticist

Feb 26, 2020

The fox in the henhouse: How bureaucratic processes handicap US military supremacy and what to do about it

By Stephen Rodriguez

Washington’s once unrivaled military strength is now increasingly challenged by that of its adversaries. To stay ahead, the United States must restructure its relationship with commercial companies by reducing regulation that hinders innovation, speed, and the ability for private industry to access government contracts.

Defense Industry Defense Policy

New Atlanticist

Feb 25, 2020

The 5×5—The evolution of the internet and geopolitics

By Simon Handler

The internet has been a pivotal force behind the growth of the global digital economy and altered the relationship among states, their citizens, and the private sector. These changes have disrupted the geopolitical balance of power and ushered in a new generation of globally-powerful multinational companies. However, new dynamics of conflict are threatening the internet as we know it.

Cybersecurity Internet

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