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.

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

Mar 16, 2020

Addressing the coronavirus “infodemic”

By David A. Wemer

“Information, including disinformation and misinformation about the novel coronavirus is spreading faster than the pandemic itself,” Atlantic Council President and CEO Frederick Kempe explained. The sheer amount of information on the outbreak means that government and business leaders need to take specific actions to ensure that their citizens and employees receive important credible information.

Disinformation
Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Mar 16, 2020

The coronavirus recession deepens financial market turmoil

By Hung Tran

On balance, the global market turmoil—even in the face of central bank easing —shows the limits of monetary policy . It also suggests that investor confidence won’t be restored until there are clear signs of the COVID-19 pandemic peaking outside of China and that major governments can implement appropriately sized and well targeted fiscal stimulation programs to support the economy—particularly those most impacted by the pandemic.

Coronavirus
Financial Regulation

New Atlanticist

Mar 16, 2020

What the coronavirus emergency means for the US-Iran conflict

By Kirsten Fontenrose

While the world is focused on the spread of a pandemic, the conflict between Iran and the United States is heating up. Without the laser-focused media attention of early January to temper the actions of both sides, we can expect to see riskier behavior and less concern for collateral damage.

Conflict
Coronavirus

New Atlanticist

Mar 13, 2020

If history repeats: Coronavirus’ economic danger to youth

By Nicole Goldin

The serious health impacts of COVID-19 seem to be felt by older people above age sixty. However, as the novel coronavirus—now officially a pandemic according to the World Health Organization—spreads through societies and markets, youth, who account for roughly a quarter of the world’s population, are disproportionately at economic risk.

Coronavirus
Future of Work

New Atlanticist

Mar 13, 2020

Coronavirus prompts school closures in US states, France, Portugal

By Atlantic Council

Authorities from the United States to France and Portugal closed schools in efforts to contain the spread of coronavirus, while sports games from hockey to soccer were canceled in the United States and Europe. Politicians or their spouses tested positive for the virus in Canada and Australia, even as new cases slowed in China and South Korea.

Economy & Business
Energy & Environment

New Atlanticist

Mar 13, 2020

Defending the Free World: Legislators from leading democracies join forces to advance a rules-based order

By Joseph Bodnar and Ash Jain

“This is a time when we have to collaborate and work together. There are vacuums in leadership around the world…and a huge role for members of parliament and legislators,” US Congressman Bill Keating (D-MA) said on February 16.

Democratic Transitions
International Norms

New Atlanticist

Mar 12, 2020

Explainer: What Trump’s Europe coronavirus travel ban means

By Atlantic Council

US President Donald J. Trump’s surprise March 11 announcement barring most travel from Europe to the United States for thirty days starting March 13 rattled stock markets and sent travelers scrambling to make new arrangements. We look in more detail at the implications of the US president’s announcement.

Economy & Business
European Union

New Atlanticist

Mar 12, 2020

Trump’s surprise travel bar from Europe, WHO declares pandemic

By Atlantic Council

US President Donald J. Trump imposed a surprise travel ban into the United States from twenty-six European countries, spooking investors and sending the price of oil lower. As The World Health Organization declared coronavirus to be a global pandemic, countries from Italy to Scandinavia and Ireland via India and South Korea stepped up measures to contain its spread.

Economy & Business
Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Mar 12, 2020

Trump hits out against Europe in coronavirus speech: The transatlantic alliance suffers

By Atlantic Council

“The golden rule of leading an alliance is consultation—don’t take your friends by surprise, especially when your actions target them,” Damon Wilson says. “This isn’t about being nice. This is about being smart advancing US interests. What happens the next time we need our allies?”

Coronavirus
Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Mar 12, 2020

Strike on Iraqi base kills US and Coalition soldiers: How will the US respond?

By Atlantic Council

“The attack on Camp Taji is another sign that Iraq is returning slowly to the pre-2011 insurgency,” Abbas Kadhim says. “The Iraqi government is unfortunately incapable of controlling the various armed groups that have the ability to strike anywhere they want inside the country.”

Conflict
Iraq

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