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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.

Mike Pence stands up For NATO, but is that enough?

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.

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Mike Pence stands up For NATO, but is that enough?

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

Mike Pence stands up For NATO, but is that enough?

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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New Atlanticist

Feb 13, 2019

Mike Pence stands up For NATO, but is that enough?

By Ashish Kumar Sen

While affirming the US commitment to Article 5, which enshrines the principle of collective defense, Pence also urged allies to meet the 2 percent of defense spending goal set at NATO’s Wales Summit in 2014.

NATO Poland

New Atlanticist

Feb 13, 2019

#StrongerWithAllies: Lithuanian combat photographer started with a dogged pursuit

By Hal Foster

Sergeant Specialist Ieva Budzeikaite was less than two weeks into her award-winning career as a combat photographer when the Lithuanian Armed Forces gave her a chance to snap pictures of troops taking survival training.

NATO Northern Europe

New Atlanticist

Feb 13, 2019

Whatever the outcome of elections in Spain, the Catalans lose

By Nick Ottens

Unlike his right-wing predecessor, Sánchez was willing to negotiate with the Catalans about transferring more money and power to the region.

Elections Southern & Southeastern Europe

New Atlanticist

Feb 13, 2019

Can Germany stay the course on defense spending?

By Brooks Tigner

Germany has long been an underspender when it comes to meeting NATO’s defense budget guideline of 2 percent of GDP for each of its allies, but that is now changing.

Germany NATO

New Atlanticist

Feb 12, 2019

What to expect from the US-Polish summit on the Middle East

By David A. Wemer

"The Trump administration waffled about the aims of the conference. But the truth is this conference is very much about Iran and a symbolic act to show that the world is united again Tehran—particularly Arab countries and Israel.

Economic Sanctions Iran

New Atlanticist

Feb 12, 2019

The US-Iranian relationship: let’s try engagement

By David A. Wemer

“I simply do not see the conditions for another revolution.” He saw “no evidence that there is a social base in Iran that wants to see a radical change," said Mohsen Milani, executive director of the University of South Florida’s Center for Strategic and Diplomatic Studies.

Economic Sanctions Iran

New Atlanticist

Feb 11, 2019

The Three Seas Initiative explained

By David A. Wemer

As the United States looks to confront Russian and Chinese economic and geopolitical competition in Europe and across the world, the Three Seas Initiative offers an opportunity to strengthen the economies of US allies.

Central Europe Geopolitics & Energy Security

New Atlanticist

Feb 11, 2019

Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge Gets Underway in London

By Jack Watson

The two-day event is a unique and innovative cyber crisis and policy response simulation. The UK edition is part of a wider Atlantic Council effort to foster the next generation of multidisciplinary cyber professionals.

Cybersecurity Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Feb 10, 2019

Engaging Hungary is good for US interests and values

By Damon Wilson

Hungary is in a region of strategic interest to the United States and should be among our natural allies. Since 1990, as the United States supported the region’s aspirations, the region stood by Washington on very tough decisions.

Hungary Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Feb 8, 2019

Can a post-Brexit United Kingdom remain united?

By John M. Roberts

Britain’s vote to leave the EU was, in large part, the result of appeals to atavistic English nationalist impulses. Who is to say that the same impulses won’t prompt Scotland to leave the UK?

United Kingdom
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