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.

Talks in Riyadh on Iran: What happens next?

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

Sep 17, 2019

Talks in Riyadh on Iran: What happens next?

By Kirsten Fontenrose

Trump is more than likely hoping that Saudi officials agree to economic pressure on Iran, but oppose an all-out war.

Iran
Saudi Arabia

New Atlanticist

Sep 17, 2019

Great Power Competition in Southeast Europe

By Damon Wilson

In the past decade, the United States and the European Union (EU) became more ambivalent about our commitments in the Western Balkans. Moscow and Beijing, sensing an opening, have become more determined in their efforts to gain influence and leverage in the region.

China
Russia

New Atlanticist

Sep 17, 2019

He’s serious: Putin offers to sell air defense missiles to Saudi Arabia

By Mark N. Katz

While Iran's president and foreign minister laughed at the Russian president's statement, Putin offer should been seen as a serious one.

Iran
Missile Defense

Conflict, Risk, and Tech

Sep 17, 2019

The American way of cyber warfare and the case of ISIS

By JD Work

The Cyber Vault collection shows the complexity in design and executing offensive cyber operations which help distinguish an ‘American way’ of cyber warfare—one that is no doubt closely mirrored by many of our allies.

Cybersecurity

New Atlanticist

Sep 16, 2019

Can global energy markets withstand the attack on Saudi oil?

By David A. Wemer

Atlantic Council experts react to the September 14 attacks on Saudi oil facilities and what it means for global energy markets and the wider region.

Geopolitics & Energy Security
Iran

New Atlanticist

Sep 14, 2019

After Houthi drone attack, everyone should take a deep breath

By Kirsten Fontenrose

The ten-drone attack on Aramco’s Abqaiq facility in Saudi Arabia on September 14 is a sign that the Houthis suffer from false confidence. Snubbing talks and launching attacks is not a way to garner sympathy from the United States or the international community.

Geopolitics & Energy Security
Saudi Arabia

New Atlanticist

Sep 13, 2019

Europe moves to curb ISIS antiquity trafficking

By Brooks Tigner

Global trafficking of fake and stolen antiquities is worth a whopping forty-five billion dollars a year, of which twenty billion is generated in Europe alone.

European Union
Terrorism

New Atlanticist

Sep 13, 2019

The importance of Baltic navies ensuring Baltic Sea security

By Adm. James G. Foggo III

The commander of US Naval Forces Europe and Africa and NATO Allied Joint Force Command Naples argues that "a strong alliance of navies will enable us all to maintain the most basic human rights: freedom and safety."

Maritime Security
NATO

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

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