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

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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.

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Our experts decipher and annotate major speeches and policy documents to break down big ideas and lay them out in plain language.

New Atlanticist

Jul 15, 2020

Made in China: A problem for Europe

By Elmar Hellendoorn

The story of Italy’s economic decline may also foretell the story of Europe’s decline. As China increasingly exports high value goods, Northern Europe’s industries are starting to feel the heat. It seems time for the EU to weigh its trade relationship with China against its impact on Europe’s economy, social cohesion, political unity, and strategic autonomy.

China European Union

New Atlanticist

Jul 14, 2020

COVID-19 could set back Mideast economies for years

By Larry Luxner

The coronavirus pandemic is causing widespread suffering throughout the Middle East, but its long-term impact on the region’s economy and its vulnerable populations will be felt for years to come.

Coronavirus Middle East

New Atlanticist

Jul 13, 2020

Duda wins, but must now govern a divided Poland

By Daniel Fried

Duda won his election. He’s the president of a closely divided country. Trzaskowski almost beat him with a message that was inclusive and appealed to many Poles who, demographically and socially, probably represent Poland’s future. It’s now Duda’s move, hopefully to demonstrate that he is a unifying force in Poland.

Elections Poland

New Atlanticist

Jul 13, 2020

European leaders prepare for crucial coronavirus financial compromise

By Bart Oosterveld

European leaders need to act quickly to overcome these differences, as an ambitious recovery package is needed to ensure financial stability and fend off other risks.

Coronavirus European Union

New Atlanticist

Jul 9, 2020

Experts dissect Iran regime’s disinformation campaign as COVID-19 worsens

By Larry Luxner

How much Iran’s 84 million people actually know about events inside their own country is debatable, given Tehran’s heavy-handed censorship and a global disinformation campaign that blames all crises, including COVID-19, on foreigners and perceived enemies of the regime.

Coronavirus Disinformation

New Atlanticist

Jul 9, 2020

Tying loose ends and asking hard questions: What Germany’s EU presidency can achieve on defense

By Olivier-Rémy Bel

Germany's challenge will be to tie the loose ends on defense and, building on the groundwork of the previous years, prepare for the future by asking hard questions about where Europe is going on this issue.

Defense Policy European Union

New Atlanticist

Jul 8, 2020

Why AMLO’s meeting with Trump is important

By María Fernanda Bozmoski

The expectations for AMLO’s first international trip are inevitably high, especially given the timing amid the worst multi-dimensional crisis in recent history but also coming just a week after the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) entered into force. For the United States, the meeting and the ensuing side-by-side pictures will send strong signals to the region and the world that US-Mexico ties are in a good place.

Coronavirus Mexico

New Atlanticist

Jul 7, 2020

White House’s Birx: China’s delay in sharing COVID-19 information hampered international responses

By David A. Wemer

The White House’s lead coronavirus-response coordinator has criticized Chinese officials for a “delay in information” on the outbreak of the virus in January, which she argued hampered the ability of other countries to respond effectively to the pandemic.

China Coronavirus

New Atlanticist

Jul 7, 2020

New report assesses Israel’s warming ties with Arab Gulf states

By Larry Luxner

Common fear of Iran’s nuclear ambitions, growing uncertainty about the US commitment to the Gulf region, a desire by oil-rich Arab nations to access Israeli know-how, and the worsening COVID-19 pandemic have given momentum to a rapprochement between Israel and the six nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Israel Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Jul 7, 2020

Can Washington avoid a China “shake and bake”?

By Julia Friedlander

Washington is mounting a regulatory onslaught in response to China’s transgressions with no defined trajectory. The coming weeks will be a test whether US actions will send a clear message, or whether we’ll have a China shake-and-bake.

China Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

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