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.

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

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

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.

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion 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.

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion 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

New Atlanticist

Feb 8, 2019

Pompeo’s trip to Central Europe aims to bring NATO allies in from the cold

By David A. Wemer

“Freezing people out is not going to help,” Atlantic Council ambassadorial fellow Daniel Fried said. “The United States has enormous political capital. We need to use it and not walk away and think problems will solve themselves.”

Central Europe Hungary

New Atlanticist

Feb 8, 2019

Revisiting the Narrative About Hungary’s Relationship with Russia

By László Szabó

As a surgeon by profession, I believe in the saying: “Proper diagnosis is half the cure.” Recycling or pushing a narrative, or simply labelling the other, has never helped come to terms on anything, much less resolve a problem.

Hungary Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Feb 7, 2019

Quiz: What in the world?

By Atlantic Council

In his second State of the Union address on February 5, US President Donald J. Trump laid out his vision for the year ahead. But do you remember what he said about the rest of the world? Take our quiz to see if you were paying attention. powered by Typeform

New Atlanticist

Feb 7, 2019

#StrongerWithAllies: This Icelander helps improve lives of Afghan women

By Hal Foster

“It’s very important to put the issue of gender-based violence and women’s rights front and center every day in how we train soldiers, in how we operate in the field, and how soldiers interact with civilians when they find themselves in combat zones," said Alfred Perla Baldursdottir.

Afghanistan NATO

Share

Issue briefs and reports