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 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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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.

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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

Sep 12, 2019

A potential path forward for Hong Kong?

By David A. Wemer

Beijing needs to give the Hong Kong government "some space" to effectively address the concerns of its citizens, former US general consul to Hong Kong Kurt Tong said.

China Rule of Law

New Atlanticist

Sep 10, 2019

John Bolton out as national security advisor

By David A. Wemer

"John Bolton has advocated for strategies considered extreme within his own administration, ran a dysfunctional and often nonexistent interagency policy making process, and eventually lost the confidence of the president—so it was always only a matter of time before he had to go," said William F. Wechler, director of The Atlantic Council's Middle East Programs.

Defense Policy Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Sep 9, 2019

Will a new energy minister shift Saudi oil policy?

By David A. Wemer

“The truth is no one knows if there will be any significant implications from the appointment of Prince Abdulaziz as energy minister," said Ellen Ward, nonresident senior fellow in the Atlantic Council's Global Energy Center.

International Markets Oil and Gas

New Atlanticist

Sep 6, 2019

Leveraging AI to transform power grid security

By Lukas Trakimavičius

Given our acute dependency on an uninterrupted supply of power, it is hardly surprising that power grids are among the most strategically important pieces of infrastructure for economic and national security alike.

Cybersecurity Defense Policy

New Atlanticist

Sep 5, 2019

Purveying arms through carrot and stick

By Sarosh Bana

US arms sales to India have risen more than fivefold over the last five years and now account for 12 per cent of India’s defense imports, according to a recent study by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).

Defense Industry India

New Atlanticist

Sep 5, 2019

Democratic hopefuls show enhanced dedication to fighting climate crisis

By David A. Wemer

What united all of the candidates was a recognition that climate change would need to be a major focus of the next president.

Climate Change & Climate Action Elections

New Atlanticist

Sep 4, 2019

Westminster tries to rein Johnson in and avoid no-deal

By David A. Wemer

Arguing that the bill would mean he would lose all leverage with Brussels over a new withdrawal agreement, Johnson said “there is only one way forward for the country…there must now be an election.”

Elections European Union

New Atlanticist

Sep 4, 2019

Rising regionalism: A new trend or an old idea in need of better understanding?

By Richards Kols

The success of regionalism in Europe can be an important example for the nations of Central Asia, who remain hesitant about regional cooperation despite their shared economic, cultural, and geopolitical characteristics, and need for greater internal cohesion.

Central Asia International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Sep 3, 2019

US-Taliban negotiations: How to avoid rushing to failure

By James Dobbins, Robert P. Finn, Ronald E. Neumann, William Wood, John Negroponte, E. Anthony Wayne, Ryan Crocker, James Cunningham, Hugo Llorens

A major troop withdrawal must be contingent on a final peace. The initial US drawdown should not go so far or so fast that the Taliban believe that they can achieve military victory. In that case, they will not make compromises for peace with other Afghan political forces.

Afghanistan Democratic Transitions

New Atlanticist

Aug 31, 2019

Is Germany going soft on China?

By Noah Barkin

If Germany gets its way, it would be the strongest sign to date that Europe is charting its own course in its ties with China, ignoring pressure from hawks in the Trump administration to pare back economic links.

China Germany

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