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.

Russia gas pipeline sanctions legislation (PEES Act): A way ahead

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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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

Dec 17, 2019

Russia gas pipeline sanctions legislation (PEES Act): A way ahead

By Daniel Fried

Enacting the sanctions mandated by the Protecting Europe’s Energy Security Act (PEES Act), for all its careful crafting, may not actually block Nord Stream II but may instead burden the US-German relationship. Rather than impose sanctions, the administration should waive them for now but prepare even stronger contingency sanctions to be implemented should the Kremlin once again use gas exports as political leverage against Ukraine, Central Europe, or the Baltics.

Economic Sanctions European Union

New Atlanticist

Dec 16, 2019

The domestic fallout from the UK general election

By John M. Roberts

The prime minister now has almost unfettered power, with little or no restraints from either the formal opposition parties or from within his own party. The new MPs assembling at Westminster today, many of them representing former industrial areas captured from Labour, present both a challenge and opportunity.

Elections United Kingdom

New Atlanticist

Dec 16, 2019

“Phase One” agreement: Whither the US-China trade war?

By Hung Tran

The “phase one” deal represents a truce—welcome as it is—in the trade war but nowhere near a solution to the main challenges China poses to the United States and the world trading system more generally.

China Trade and tariffs

President Trump and Prime Minister Johnson meet with each other

New Atlanticist

Dec 15, 2019

Expect an early Johnson visit to Washington

By Peter Westmacott

As the UK focuses on completing Brexit and developing new trading links with the rest of the world, Washington and London will likely continue to look for ways to stay aligned.

United Kingdom

New Atlanticist

Dec 13, 2019

How the USMCA impacts transatlantic trade policy

By Barbara C. Matthews

The attention today rightly sits with the breakthroughs regarding the labor and environment provisions of the USMCA. But trade policy strategists in Europe and the United States should not delay in using the USMCA’s digital trade chapter as a catalyst to define new foundations for cross-border trade in data and services which will drive economic growth and innovation for the foreseeable future.

Digital Policy European Union

New Atlanticist

Dec 13, 2019

Duque’s dilemma: Social unrest and critical governance

By Felipe Zarama Salazar

Colombia's president struggles to form the political coalition needed to govern while protesters rally in the streets frustrated by the administration.

Civil Society Colombia

New Atlanticist

Dec 13, 2019

Johnson triumphs in UK election: What’s next?

By David A. Wemer

“Much of the electorate seems to have bought the Johnson message that electing a Conservative government will mark the end of the Brexit process," Sir Peter Westmacott said. "In fact, it only signals the beginning of the real negotiations on Britain’s future relationship with the EU and the rest of the world."

Elections European Union

New Atlanticist

Dec 11, 2019

US-India relationship is “moving from the era of ambitions to the era of achievements”

By David A. Wemer

Sixty years after US President Dwight D. Eisenhower traveled to India to mark the beginning of the US-Indian relationship, the close ties between Delhi and Washington today “would scarcely be recognizable to Eisenhower’s contemporaries,” Ambassador Alice Wells, US acting assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asia, said on December 11.

India Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Dec 11, 2019

With bipartisan support, USMCA “can stand the test of time”

By Jasper Gilardi

“It is absolutely crucial for USMCA to be ratified with bipartisan support, and hopefully by including the Democrats in the process it will be an agreement that will serve the interest of all three countries for years to come," said Jason Marczak, director of the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center.

Mexico Trade and tariffs

New Atlanticist

Dec 11, 2019

A tale of two flags: How Bolivia’s racial divide is shaping its political crisis

By Sarah Hennessey

For a decade, Bolivia has existed under two flags, that have represented the country’s distinct cultural heritages. Now, facing uncertain new elections, it remains to be seen if indigenous and non-indigenous Bolivians will be able to find a common path towards stability and the reinstitution of democratic norms.

Democratic Transitions Latin America

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