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.

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

Feb 6, 2019

Trump-Kim summit: The Vietnam edition

By Ashish Kumar Sen

"The United States should facilitate denuclearization by maintaining a simultaneous and paralleled approach to seek diplomatic engagement and pressure," said Miyeon Oh, director of the Asia Security Initiative in the Scowcroft Center for Security and Strategy.

Korea Nuclear Nonproliferation

New Atlanticist

Feb 6, 2019

Macedonia signs NATO accession protocol: ‘We will never walk alone again’

By David A. Wemer

The signing of the accession protocol follows the passage of a name deal between Macedonia and Greece. Under the deal, Macedonia’s name will change to “the Republic of North Macedonia” once Greece ratifies the NATO accession protocol, potentially as early as February 8.

NATO

New Atlanticist

Feb 6, 2019

Trump’s State of the Union and what we have to say about it

By Ashish Kumar Sen and David A. Wemer

Atlantic Council analysts take a look at some of the foreign policy notes struck by the president and offer their analysis.

Democratic Transitions Migration

New Atlanticist

Feb 5, 2019

Name deal with Greece gives Macedonia a ‘second chance’

By David A. Wemer

The name deal is “a second chance for my generation,” said Nikola Dimitrov, North Macedonia's Foreign Minister, adding, for decades Macedonia has been “locked in a waiting room.”

Greece NATO

New Atlanticist

Feb 5, 2019

Exit interview: EU’s envoy to Washington on navigating challenges in the transatlantic relationship

By Ashish Kumar Sen and David A. Wemer

David O’Sullivan, the European Union’s ambassador to the United States, wraps up his time in Washington at the end of February. The last two years of his tenure have been challenging ones for the transatlantic relationship. That challenge mainly comes from US President Donald J. Trump who once described the EU as a “foe.” In […]

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Feb 5, 2019

As Trump addresses the nation, what will he say about the world?

By David A. Wemer

While domestic issues such as immigration and a potential deal to avert another government shutdown will likely dominate the speech, foreign policy issues will also be addressed extensively.

NATO Trade and tariffs

New Atlanticist

Feb 5, 2019

Venezuela update: More recognition for Juan Guaidó

By Ashish Kumar Sen

What you have right now is a dangerous cocktail of a domestic situation in Venezuela that has the potential to move in the right direction with the growing role of the Guaidó government, but could also lead to a great power conflict that will have implications across the hemisphere.

Democratic Transitions Political Reform

New Atlanticist

Feb 4, 2019

Trump’s Africa surprise

By Jonathan Gass

When Trump was elected, many predicted that US-Africa policy would suffer, assuming that the continent would recede even further from the attention of US policymakers. The Trump administration has surely surprised these critics by articulating a strategy for Africa so very early on.

Africa Defense Policy

New Atlanticist

Feb 1, 2019

With an eye on IMF loan, Pakistan proposes tax reforms

By Sahir Amlani

The tax measures would be Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan’s second set of fiscal reforms since taking power in July 2018.

Fiscal and Structural Reform Pakistan

New Atlanticist

Feb 1, 2019

India’s data localization efforts could do more harm than good

By Kalika Likhi

India’s move toward data localization, while timely and justifiable given numerous global data breaches and privacy scandals, is largely ineffective in protecting user data. The benefits do not outweigh costs.

India Technology & Innovation

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