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.

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

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 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

gtc compass in hand to navigate and guide

New Atlanticist

Mar 11, 2020

Setting a roadmap to achieve “Tech for Good”

By David A. Wemer

“We are witnessing a remarkable change in our society, driven by technology advances,” that are permeating the global economy, societies, and the personal lives of people around the world, US Representative Michael McCaul (R-TX) said on March 11. The rapid pace of technological change and the importance it is having at every level of society means “it is only right that we in Congress and the private sector come together to try to drive policies that will enable this revolution, while protecting our shared values of privacy and intellectual property rights,” McCaul argued.

Economy & Business Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Mar 11, 2020

New British budget takes coronavirus head-on

By John M. Roberts

Britain’s finance minister, Rishi Sunak, has just delivered a master class in how a government should tackle both the health and economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic.

Coronavirus Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Mar 11, 2020

Support civilian leaders in Sudan while we have them

By Cameron Hudson

Rather than serving as a wakeup call to those inside Sudan that the former regime was still a force to be feared, the assassination attempt on Prime Minister Hamdok may have instead put Western nations on notice to support the civilian government while it still can.

Democratic Transitions Political Reform

The future is here

Mar 11, 2020

New York suburb faces containment zone; UK emergency rate cut

By Atlantic Council

Authorities plan to impose a containment zone around a New York suburb to contain a cluster of coronavirus cases, which have now surpassed 1,000 in the United States. The Bank of England made an emergency cut in interest rates in a bid to lessen the economic impact, while the Chinese city at the center of the outbreak started a gradual return to work.

Economy & Business Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Mar 10, 2020

Ahead of Brazil’s municipal elections, novel legal requirements can elevate women’s participation in politics

By Valentina Sader

As the country prepares to hold municipal elections in October 2020, Brazil should aim to increase women’s political participation and learn from its fellow Latin American countries.

Brazil Elections

New Atlanticist

Mar 10, 2020

Venezuela’s democratization: Leading with women to achieve peace

By Cristina Guevara

In order for Venezuela to transition to a more democratic, inclusive, and peaceful society, the interim government must strengthen women's political participation and decision-making power.

Democratic Transitions Venezuela

New Atlanticist

Mar 10, 2020

Idlib presents Europe with another migration test

By David A. Wemer

"The case should be made for a partial reengagement of Europe towards Turkey," Ambassador Michel Duclos says. "A coalition of willing should help Turkey—especially in the field of counterterrorism—to assure an effective implementation of the Moscow agreement as the only way to avoid the above scenario of a reconquest of the region by Assad."

Conflict European Union

New Atlanticist

Mar 10, 2020

Modi’s canceled Bangladesh visit is an opportunity

By Ali Riaz

Recent demonstrations in Bangladesh against Modi’s visit speak volumes, literally and metaphorically. Instead of dismissing them as a conspiracy, both countries will be better served if their policymakers listen and take this opportunity to reassess their relationship and the domestic political environment in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Democratic Transitions

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