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 can the United States pick up the pieces of its Syria 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

Stay updated

Explore our unique analysis

Fast Thinking

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

Oct 15, 2019

How can the United States pick up the pieces of its Syria policy?

By David A. Wemer

Atlantic Council experts detail how Washington can manage the situation in Syria and prevent the US-Turkish relationship from spiraling out of control.

Conflict
Syria

New Atlanticist

Oct 11, 2019

US-China trade war reaches a pause, but still a long way to resolution

By David A. Wemer

While the current trade war pause is good news for many concerned about a damaging escalation in tensions between two of the world’s most important economies, there remains a long road ahead before either Beijing or Washington is ready to fully commit to trade peace.

China
Trade and tariffs

New Atlanticist

Oct 10, 2019

Transatlantic energy cooperation gains momentum at the second P-TEC ministerial

By Olga Khakova

The second ministerial hosted by the US Department of Energy and the Republic of Lithuania was a significant step towards turning discussions into tangible solutions.

Energy Markets & Governance
Geopolitics & Energy Security

New Atlanticist

Oct 10, 2019

Climate investing: Is it sustainable?

By Alexis Crow

For the institutional investors and policy makers who have successfully implemented environmentally mindful and pro-growth policies at home, the transmission of these policies abroad is absolutely crucial, otherwise the clamoring for ESG is held within an exclusive—albeit environmentally sound—echo chamber, which fails to take root where it may be needed most.

Climate Change & Climate Action
International Markets

Digital currencies

Oct 10, 2019

Breaking the buck: What Libra’s demise means for central banks

By Michael B. Greenwald

There is little evidence to suggest that Libra can address the needs of those without bank accounts. With its structure working against the benefits of a central bank digital currency, Libra is less of a call to action and more a solution in search of a problem.

Digital Currencies
Financial Regulation

New Atlanticist

Oct 10, 2019

Turkey has legitimate security concerns, but must keep military incursion into Syria limited

By Matthew Bryza

Ankara is justified in trying to secure its border, Matthew Bryza argues, but must not get bogged down in a major military campaign.

Syria
Turkey

New Atlanticist

Oct 9, 2019

How governments can use cyber tools irresponsibly to preserve power

By Safa Shahwan

The Kazakh case serves as an example of irresponsible cyber statecraft, when governments use cyberspace and technological tools to achieve specific political goals, placing the rights of citizens, as well as their political legitimacy, on the line.

Central Asia
Cybersecurity

New Atlanticist

Oct 8, 2019

The United States needs Middle East partnerships, former US commander argues

By David A. Wemer

The United States must continue to build its systems of alliances and partnerships across the Middle East, but Washington's change of policy toward the Syrian Kurds "will make it more difficult to build partnership in the future," General Joseph Votel said.

Maritime Security
Middle East

New Atlanticist

Oct 7, 2019

Toward digital power over states

By Thomas A. Campbell

Rapid advances in digital technologies amplify the potential for data acquisition from and influence over other states. One state aggressively pursuing digital advantage globally is China, especially in its leveraging of artificial intelligence (AI).

China
Defense Technologies

New Atlanticist

Oct 3, 2019

A road map for the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue

By Muhamet Brajshori

Kosovo foreign service member Muhamet Brajshori calls on Europe and the United States to work together to help facilitate a deal.

Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding
The Balkans

Share

Issue briefs and reports