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.

Idlib ceasefire is holding and could open door to long-term Syria solution, US envoy says

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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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

Apr 30, 2020

Idlib ceasefire is holding and could open door to long-term Syria solution, US envoy says

By David A. Wemer

The ceasefire negotiated between Russia and Turkey to halt fighting in the Syrian province of Idlib appears to be holding, US Special Representative for Syria Engagement and Special Envoy to the Global Coalition To Defeat ISIS Ambassador James F. Jeffrey said on April 30. “We have heard from many sources, even many Russian [ones], that there is a general feeling that this ceasefire is living up to expectations,” according to Jeffrey.

Conflict Coronavirus

New Atlanticist

Apr 29, 2020

Pandemic response should not equal isolationism, Swedish FM argues

By David A. Wemer

International cooperation will be crucial not only to “fight the pandemic” of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), but also “to get us back on track afterwards,” Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs Ann Linde said on April 29. She stressed that while leaders remain focused on containing outbreaks in their own countries, they must avoid the temptation to shun the benefits international trade and cooperation can bring as a much-needed economic recovery begins.

Coronavirus European Union

New Atlanticist

Apr 29, 2020

Africa still sees a massive pandemic in its future, but partnerships may lessen blow

By Katherine Golden

With an uncertain future for the pandemic that lies ahead, the Africa CDC is encouraging pivotal partnerships to act quickly to secure Africa amid haphazardly understood policies, little access to water and sanitation, and resource constraints.

Africa Coronavirus

New Atlanticist

Apr 29, 2020

Something not so rotten in the Kingdom of Denmark

By Nauja Bianco and Andras Simonyi

Denmark's success in combating the coronavirus provides a powerful example of how democracies can be more effective in times of crises.

Coronavirus Northern Europe

New Atlanticist

Apr 28, 2020

How testing can provide a way out of coronavirus shutdowns

By David A. Wemer

Testing “is really the only way out without having a vaccine or an easy therapeutic…to reopen parts of our economy and [stop] the ricocheting between either being shut down and therefore safe, or being active in the economy and therefore in tremendous risk for rebound,” according to Dr. Rajiv Shah

Coronavirus United States and Canada

New Atlanticist

Apr 28, 2020

Guaidó’s National Emergency Government can prevent a humanitarian catastrophe in Venezuela

By Cristina Guevara

Guaidó’s national emergency government presents a viable solution to tackle the coronavirus pandemic, Venezuela’s humanitarian crisis, and the dictatorship that has decimated the country.

Coronavirus Corruption

New Atlanticist

Apr 28, 2020

US policymakers knew a pandemic was coming: Why they ignored the warnings

By Mathew Burrows

It's high time we bring the government’s decision making into the twenty-first century. The knowledge is there for how to do it. What’s our excuse as a country for ignoring it?

Coronavirus United States and Canada

New Atlanticist

Apr 28, 2020

Russian journalists fire back as their Kremlin-picked editor draws a line in the sand

By Doug Klain

Another source of reliable information for the Russian public is under threat at a time when it’s more needed than ever, with the country looking down the barrel at another sixteen years of Putin’s strongman rule.

Coronavirus Corruption

New Atlanticist

Apr 27, 2020

Financial markets pressure likely to force additional European action soon

By Bart Oosterveld

Markets are likely to test the resolve of policymakers to preserve the monetary union in the upcoming months, and the risk of a series of funding shocks remains elevated.

Coronavirus European Union

New Atlanticist

Apr 27, 2020

IMF managing director urges more global action to soften coronavirus’ economic toll

By David A. Wemer

As the global economy continues to absorb the shock of the coronavirus pandemic, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva urged policymakers to commit more money to recovery efforts. “Do as much as you can,” she said on April 27, “then do a little bit more.”

Coronavirus Inclusive Growth

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