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.

Costa Rica legalized same-sex marriage. Where does the rest of Latin America stand on marriage equality?

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

Jun 2, 2020

Costa Rica legalized same-sex marriage. Where does the rest of Latin America stand on marriage equality?

By Isabel Kennon

As Costa Rica becomes the first in Central America to take this step toward equality, it remains to be seen who will be next to turn the Inter-American Court on Human Rights’ opinion into action.

Civil Society
Human Rights

New Atlanticist

Jun 2, 2020

Why the Atlantic Council’s mission begins at home: “A single garment of destiny”

By Frederick Kempe

For the Atlantic Council, how we respond as a community goes to the heart of our mission of “shaping the global future together.” We can bring the free world together most effectively if we act to become more exemplary in our own behavior. These terrible days have lessons both for the United States, the country in which most of us live, and for the Atlantic Council and its like-minded global community.

Resilience & Society
United States and Canada

New Atlanticist

Jun 2, 2020

The UK is forging a 5G club of democracies to avoid reliance on Huawei

By Justin Sherman

As the need for alternatives to Huawei 5G technology becomes more urgent, democracies must pursue these kinds of diplomatic, coalition solutions. Forming a democratic 5G alliance is a step in that direction.

China
Cybersecurity

New Atlanticist

Jun 1, 2020

Hurricane season, COVID-19 pose twin threats to vulnerable Caribbean islands

By Larry Luxner

This year, the Caribbean must not only prepare for devastating storms, but also confront COVID-19, stretching scarce financial resources even thinner.

Americas
Climate Change & Climate Action

New Atlanticist

Jun 1, 2020

The role of Russia and the Russian language in post-Karimov Uzbekistan

By Jennifer Murtazashvili

Hardening on language policy at the expense of the Russian language is a significant reversal from Karimov’s tacit encouragement of pluralism.

Central Asia
Democratic Transitions

New Atlanticist

Jun 1, 2020

NATO’s role in a transatlantic strategy on China

By Ian Brzezinski

NATO can be an effective forum for Allies to share awareness of China's capabilities and activities, develop a transatlantic security strategy regarding China, and pool capacities for engagement and deterrence.

China
NATO

New Atlanticist

Jun 1, 2020

The world order will need a post-COVID rethink, Turkish VP says

By David A. Wemer

Oktay stressed that the world has changed dramatically since the onset of the pandemic, and will provide opportunities and challenges that all world leaders should be careful not to ignore.

Coronavirus
Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

May 29, 2020

Trump has escalated his confrontation with China. Here’s what that means.

By David A. Wemer

During a news conference at the White House on May 29, US President Donald J. Trump rebuked China for its response to the coronavirus pandemic and alleged violation of Hong Kong’s sovereignty. The US president argued that China’s behavior has endangered US economic interests and national security.

China
Coronavirus

New Atlanticist

May 29, 2020

National Guard’s COVID-19 response combines civilian skillsets with unique military utility

By Katherine Golden

The US National Guard is stepping up their COVID-19 response with food banks, testing sites, nursing homes, and personal protective equipment distribution across the United States. “What makes us particularly effective in relation to the COVID-19 response is the unique, very deep connections with our communities and our homelands,” the Chief of the National Guard Bureau General Joseph L. Lengyel said.

Coronavirus
Defense Industry

New Atlanticist

May 29, 2020

Afghanistan needs a settlement

By Omar Samad

Sitting at a new crossroads, Afghanistan is once again tilting between an opportunity to take the path to peace and a political settlement—hard as it may seem—or to bounce back on the path of more violence and conflict with no end in sight.

Afghanistan
Conflict

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