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.

Saudi Arabia and Russia feud over coronavirus oil response: Will everyone lose?

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

New Atlanticist

Mar 9, 2020

Saudi Arabia and Russia feud over coronavirus oil response: Will everyone lose?

By David A. Wemer

"While Russia’s decision last week not to support OPEC’s proposal for a production cut and the subsequent oil price war—which as of publishing has pushed Brent crude down more than 9 percent—is surely part of the larger story of the economic impacts of the coronavirus outbreak, it is actually better understood as a geopolitical story about how US energy production growth has strengthened the United States’ international posture, which in turn has reshaped a number of global relationships," Randolph Bell says.

Coronavirus Energy Markets & Governance

New Atlanticist

Mar 6, 2020

French minister: Europe is ready to prove its strength

By David A. Wemer

Despite anxiety about the state of the European Union in the face of Brexit and political populism, French Minister of State for European Affairs Amélie de Montchalin argued that there is growing evidence that Europeans are “starting to see Europe as capable of being strong [and] sovereign.” Recent joint European actions and renewed focus on building Europe’s ability to act autonomously has proved “that we can use the capabilities that we have, the power we already have, to take initiative,” de Montchalin said at the Atlantic Council on March 6.

European Union Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Mar 6, 2020

Allawi withdraws PM nomination: Opportunities in Iraq despite the dysfunction

By C. Anthony Pfaff

As dysfunctional as Iraq’s democracy can be, it is still a democracy and even the Iranian-backed political parties have to pay attention to the will of their various constituencies. This point means that an energized protest movement can help bring about conditions more favorable to Iraq’s recovery.

Democratic Transitions Iraq

New Atlanticist

Mar 5, 2020

UK remains committed to positive global role after Brexit, defence secretary says

By David A. Wemer

“The security of Europe is vital to the United Kingdom’s security [and] that will not change because we have left the political union of the European Union,” UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said on March 5.

European Union NATO

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Mar 5, 2020

Venezuelan women: The unseen victims of the humanitarian crisis

By Angela Chavez

Although gender inequality is not a novel issue in Latin America and especially not in Venezuela, the current humanitarian crisis has made women more vulnerable financially, politically, and socially, and made sexual violence and discrimination commonplace. According to a recent report by Venezuelan non-profit organization Center for Peace and Justice (CEPAZ), the crisis has increased women’s vulnerability through the lack of governance and weakened institutions, impoverishment, lack of access to food and medicine, and the rising forced migration, among other factors.

Migration Venezuela

New Atlanticist

Mar 5, 2020

The path forward for the US-Brazil economic relationship

By David A. Wemer

Growing cooperation between the United States and Brazil has created “a very unique moment in our bilateral relations,” as both sides move closer to a potential deepening of their economic relationship, Ambassador of Brazil to the United States Nestor Forster said on March 5.

Brazil Trade and tariffs

New Atlanticist

Mar 5, 2020

California declares state of emergency, UK cases jump

By Atlantic Council

California declared a state of emergency to contain the spread of coronavirus, as a cruise ship with sick passengers and crew stood offshore from San Francisco. The UK reported a jump in cases, while Italy took unprecedented steps even after the closure of schools and universities yesterday.

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

New Atlanticist

Mar 4, 2020

Governments and businesses brace for coronavirus impact

By David A. Wemer

As more cases of the novel coronavirus (known as COVID-19) are identified in the United States and around the world, governments, businesses, and communities will need to be prepared to take significant action to slow its spread and mitigate its potential effects.

China Coronavirus

New Atlanticist

Mar 4, 2020

The “time is now or never” for Central Europe to grasp Three Seas opportunity, Estonia’s president says

By David A. Wemer

Now that an investment fund to fuel the development of stronger cross-border transportation, energy, and digital infrastructure links in Central and Eastern Europe has been launched, countries in the region “need to quickly decide” whether they want to participate before the opportunity vanishes, according to Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid.

Central Europe Eastern Europe

New Atlanticist

Mar 4, 2020

World Bank pledges more than $10 billion, Italy closes schools to curb virus

By Atlantic Council

The World Bank has promised more than $10 billion in support to developing countries to help them contain the spread of the virus. Cases surged in South Korea, Malaysia, and India, while Italy closed all its schools and universities for two weeks.

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

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