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
Jul 29, 2025

The Russia pressure menu: Options to convince Putin to negotiate on Ukraine

As the US president cuts his deadline for Russia to ten days, there are several options for him to increase pressure on Moscow to pursue peace.

New Atlanticist
Jul 24, 2025

Dispatch from Manila: A lesson in calling out Chinese maritime aggression

By
Markus Garlauskas, Philip W. Yu

As the Philippines has focused more on Chinese threats to itself, Manila also seems increasingly inclined to see its own security as connected to that of the broader region.

China
Indo-Pacific

New Atlanticist
Jul 1, 2025

The US must enforce sanctions to prevent Iran from rebuilding its nuclear program

By
Kimberly Donovan

To ensure that Tehran cannot get its hands on the financial resources it would need to rebuild its nuclear program, Iran sanctions enforcement should start with China.

Economic Sanctions
Iran

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 26, 2018

Quiz: INF, RIP?

By Atlantic Council

The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty looks to be entering its final days. Are you all fired up and ready to put your missile knowledge to the test before this arms control treaty falls by the wayside? Spot the difference between GLCMs, SS-20s, and RS-26s with seven questions on the endangered deal.

New Atlanticist

Oct 25, 2018

Trident juncture: NATO’s crisis response put to the test

By Clementine G. Starling

Military forces from thirty-one countries, including all twenty-nine NATO members, plus Finland and Sweden, are participating in Trident Juncture, a major demonstration and test of NATO’s collective response to a fictional armed attack against an allied member state.

Crisis Management NATO

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets US President Donald J. Trump and Jared Kushner.

New Atlanticist

Oct 23, 2018

Oil, arms, and counterterrorism: A look at Saudi options and how far the Kingdom may go

By Nabeel Khoury

Given the wide opprobrium in the US Congress, media, and private sector, it is yet to be seen whether the West, particularly the United States, will punish Saudi Arabia with sanctions.

Economic Sanctions International Norms

New Atlanticist

Oct 23, 2018

Caught in the US-China trade crossfire, Latin America must walk a fine line

By Domingo Sadurní García

Even as some Latin American countries navigate potential upsides in shifting markets and global supply chains, questions loom regarding the future of its commercial relations with the United States.

China Latin America

New Atlanticist

Oct 23, 2018

Macedonians should embrace ‘an alignment of stars,’ says former NATO secretary general

By David A. Wemer

The deal sought to end a twenty-seven-year dispute between the two countries over the name “Macedonia,” which was adopted when that country gained independence in 1991 following the break-up of Yugoslavia.

NATO Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Oct 22, 2018

Trump right to call out Russia, but is quitting an arms control treaty the answer?

By Ashish Kumar Sen

The Russians have “not only broken the INF Treaty, they have stomped all over it for well over a decade at least,” said Ellen O. Tauscher, a former US under secretary of State for arms control and international security.

Missile Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation

New Atlanticist

Oct 22, 2018

The INF treaty: what it means and why the United States is leaving

By David A. Wemer

Although the Obama administration identified the Russian violations, support for a US withdrawal from the INF Treaty did not gain steam until the start of the Trump administration.

Nuclear Nonproliferation Russia

New Atlanticist

Oct 22, 2018

Why is a caravan of Central American migrants fleeing to the United States?

By Ashish Kumar Sen

"It is important to take into account that the underlying conditions that are forcing people to leave have been endemic in these countries for decades. Fixing them will take a committed, multi-pronged, multiyear strategy," said Jason Marczak director of The Atlantic Council's Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center.

Human Rights Migration

New Atlanticist

Oct 21, 2018

Trump to pull plug on arms control treaty with Russia

By David A. Wemer

White House officials, especially National Security Advisor John Bolton, have been pushing to abandon the treaty as they believe it is limiting Washington’s ability to counter China’s growing nuclear arsenal in East Asia.

China Missile Defense

New Atlanticist

Oct 19, 2018

Why Afghanistan’s parliamentary election matters

By Roshni Majumdar

Holding the election is “an important measure of progress that underscores how far Afghanistan’s nascent democracy has come,” said Javid Ahmad, a nonresident fellow with the Atlantic Council's South Asia Center.

Afghanistan Democratic Transitions

Share

Issue briefs and reports