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.

How the USMCA impacts transatlantic trade 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

Dec 13, 2019

How the USMCA impacts transatlantic trade policy

By Barbara C. Matthews

The attention today rightly sits with the breakthroughs regarding the labor and environment provisions of the USMCA. But trade policy strategists in Europe and the United States should not delay in using the USMCA’s digital trade chapter as a catalyst to define new foundations for cross-border trade in data and services which will drive economic growth and innovation for the foreseeable future.

Digital Policy
European Union

New Atlanticist

Dec 13, 2019

Duque’s dilemma: Social unrest and critical governance

By Felipe Zarama Salazar

Colombia's president struggles to form the political coalition needed to govern while protesters rally in the streets frustrated by the administration.

Civil Society
Colombia

New Atlanticist

Dec 13, 2019

Johnson triumphs in UK election: What’s next?

By David A. Wemer

“Much of the electorate seems to have bought the Johnson message that electing a Conservative government will mark the end of the Brexit process," Sir Peter Westmacott said. "In fact, it only signals the beginning of the real negotiations on Britain’s future relationship with the EU and the rest of the world."

Elections
European Union

New Atlanticist

Dec 11, 2019

US-India relationship is “moving from the era of ambitions to the era of achievements”

By David A. Wemer

Sixty years after US President Dwight D. Eisenhower traveled to India to mark the beginning of the US-Indian relationship, the close ties between Delhi and Washington today “would scarcely be recognizable to Eisenhower’s contemporaries,” Ambassador Alice Wells, US acting assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asia, said on December 11.

India
Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Dec 11, 2019

With bipartisan support, USMCA “can stand the test of time”

By Jasper Gilardi

“It is absolutely crucial for USMCA to be ratified with bipartisan support, and hopefully by including the Democrats in the process it will be an agreement that will serve the interest of all three countries for years to come," said Jason Marczak, director of the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center.

Mexico
Trade and tariffs

New Atlanticist

Dec 11, 2019

A tale of two flags: How Bolivia’s racial divide is shaping its political crisis

By Sarah Hennessey

For a decade, Bolivia has existed under two flags, that have represented the country’s distinct cultural heritages. Now, facing uncertain new elections, it remains to be seen if indigenous and non-indigenous Bolivians will be able to find a common path towards stability and the reinstitution of democratic norms.

Democratic Transitions
Latin America

New Atlanticist

Dec 11, 2019

Waving the flag of digital sovereignty

By Kenneth Propp

European leaders are feeling besieged again. Having spent the past several years building up Europe’s physical defenses against migrants, they now see themselves faced with a less tangible sort of invasion—US technology companies dominating their markets and vacuuming up the personal data of their citizens. And so the cry has gone up from Berlin, Brussels, and Paris: “Digital sovereignty!”

Digital Policy
European Union

New Atlanticist

Dec 10, 2019

Don’t let tech policy disrupt the US-India trade deal

By Anand Raghuraman

Yet as negotiators prepare for the final stage of the talks, India’s efforts to advance three new tech policies could emerge as a potential spoiler. Preventing a downward spiral in bilateral trade relations will require India to tread cautiously in its approach to tech policy and delay new measures that would disrupt a trade deal.

India
Trade and tariffs

New Atlanticist

Dec 10, 2019

Albania’s former foreign minister: EU made “strategic mistake” in delaying accession negotiations

By David A. Wemer

The failure of European Union leaders to greenlight the start of the enlargement process for Albania and North Macedonia in October was “a step backwards” for the region’s path towards European integration, according to former Albanian Foreign Minister Ditmir Bushati.

European Union
The Balkans

New Atlanticist

Dec 10, 2019

What the United States can learn from Europe on fighting cyberattacks and disinformation

By John Burton

If you want to deal effectively with cyber challenges then you need to address not just the computer part…but the political part as well, the human being behind the attack,” said Jonatan Vseviov, the Estonian ambassador to the United States.

Disinformation
European Union

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