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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.

OPEC’s historic deal may still not be enough

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.

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OPEC’s historic deal may still not be enough

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
OPEC’s historic deal may still not be enough

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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Content

New Atlanticist

Apr 12, 2020

OPEC’s historic deal may still not be enough

By Randolph Bell and Reed Blakemore

On April 12, a meeting of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and ten other oil producing countries (known as OPEC+) reached a historic deal to cut 9.7 million barrels per day (bpd) to meet the historic challenge of a COVID-19-driven drop in demand. But as the oil market digests OPEC’s and OPEC+’s largest-ever single oil production cut in the face of an overwhelming demand shock, the question remains: will it be enough?

Oil and Gas
Russia

New Atlanticist

Apr 10, 2020

Eurozone passes coronavirus rescue plan, but political unity remains elusive

By David A. Wemer

Although European leaders were finally able to agree on a massive rescue package to help the European economy weather the storm of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the lack of unity on display over the protracted negotiations raises deep concerns about Europe’s ability to navigate the difficult road to recovery.

Coronavirus
European Union

New Atlanticist

Apr 10, 2020

India’s adoption of facial recognition technology could have serious ramifications

By Vappala Balachandran

The application of facial recognition technologies in India would almost certainly aid the country’s stretched law enforcement units and may prove useful in future incidents of public rioting or unrest. Given the state of current technologies, however, observers and government officials in India need to critically examine the reliability of this new platform and its potential to wrongfully infringe on the rights of innocent individuals.

Human Rights
India

New Atlanticist

Apr 9, 2020

Fighting COVID-19 side by side with migrants

By Walter Cotte and Rebecca Scheurer

In uncertain times humanity historically comes together to embrace our commonalities. In the case of COVID-19, we can achieve more together if we include migrants as active participants in our efforts to quell the spread and impact of this disease.

Colombia
Coronavirus

New Atlanticist

Apr 9, 2020

Third time’s the charm for a new Iraqi PM?

By Atlantic Council

“Iraq needs a prime minister with a mandate from the parliament and the people," Thomas Warrick says, "and al-Kadhimi represents the best chance in a long time for an Iraqi leader who understand the needs of the people for honest, competent, and responsive government."

Democratic Transitions
Iraq

New Atlanticist

Apr 9, 2020

The compelling incentives for Saudi-Russian rapprochement

By Alan Riley

The impact of this price war combined with the demand destruction triggered by the impact of the coronavirus are likely to force both Russian and Saudi Arabia back to the negotiating table to agree a deal which will—at least in substance—restore OPEC plus, sooner rather than later.

Coronavirus
Energy Markets & Governance

New Atlanticist

Apr 9, 2020

Closing the cyber skills gap: Nine perspectives on Cyber 9/12

By Will Loomis

Cyber 9/12 was a resounding success, with twenty-two teams, over forty-five judges, and six keynote speakers participating virtually from across the United States. We asked nine individuals who contributed to Cyber 9/12 DC in different ways to share their insights, experiences, and takeaways from the event.

Cybersecurity

New Atlanticist

Apr 8, 2020

Bangladesh’s COVID-19 stimulus: Leaving the most vulnerable behind

By Ali Riaz

The Bangladeshi government’s $8 billion stimulus package, about 2.5 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), primarily focuses on industries, particularly export-oriented ones. In doing so, the package intended to contain and mitigate the economic fallout of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) left out the most vulnerable sections of the society and the sectors which desperately need support.

Bangladesh
Coronavirus

Capacity Building Initiative

Apr 8, 2020

Learning on the fly through Cyber 9/12

By Jocelyn Murray, Andrew Milligan, David Mendez, and Puneet Singh

In the rapidly changing climate of cybersecurity today, the field is about far more than technical lessons and education. For our team, Cyber 9/12 opened brand new doors in the cyber policy and strategy space.

Cybersecurity

New Atlanticist

Apr 8, 2020

Massive testing program could hold keys to ending coronavirus crisis

By David A. Wemer

A massive nationwide testing program could help slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and could provide a roadmap for rolling back the extensive social distancing measures implemented across the United States and around the world, according to Nobel laureate economist Paul Romer and Dr. Raj Shah, president of The Rockefeller Foundation and former administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Coronavirus
Resilience
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