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

Jan 3, 2019

The future financial war with China

By Michael B. Greenwald

Global banks are becoming increasingly risk averse for fear of being caught in the US Treasury’s crosshairs. Banks are right to be afraid of doing business with Huawei given precedent.

China Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

New Atlanticist

Jan 2, 2019

Washington and Its Friends Are More United Than You Think

By Damon Wilson

Notwithstanding occasional feuds among our leaders, the United States and its democratic allies around the world agree that the great challenge of the 21st century will be the competition between the free world and authoritarian corrupt state-led capitalism.

China International Norms

New Atlanticist

Dec 21, 2018

US troop drawdown from Afghanistan needs to be done responsibly

By Omar Samad

There are three most immediate concerns regarding Trump’s decision on Afghanistan: timing, geopolitical, and the political consequences for Afghanistan.

Afghanistan Conflict

New Atlanticist

Dec 21, 2018

How President Trump is breaking a destructive cycle in the Middle East

By Anthony Scaramucci

Is it possible that, despite the constant lashing of media pundits and armchair military strategists, President Donald J. Trump’s foreign policy decisions are more enlightened than meets the eye? Yes and, almost certainly, yes.

Defense Policy Middle East

New Atlanticist

Dec 21, 2018

Mattis out. What now?

By Todd Rosenblum

Mattis deserves profound praise and appreciation for leaving when he could no longer support a commander in chief bent on uprooting vital national interests.

Defense Policy National Security

New Atlanticist

Dec 21, 2018

The end of the Great War and the American grand strategy in the American century

By Daniel Fried

The United States should build on what we achieved in the hundred years since the first draft of our Grand Strategy, working with those friends with whom we achieved it.

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Dec 21, 2018

NATO owes Secretary Mattis a debt of gratitude

By Jamie Shea

No other leader in Washington could combine the civilian and military perspectives, listen to the Allies yet speak truth to power on both sides of the Atlantic without at any time raising doubts as to his fundamental commitment to the Atlantic project as an irreversible gain from history.

NATO NATO Partnerships

New Atlanticist

Dec 21, 2018

From Silicon Valley to Shenzhen: dollar exposures in Chinese fintech

By Michael B. Greenwald

In the post-9/11 era, Washington has waged innovative campaigns against terrorism finance, sanctions evasion, and money laundering. Leveraging the United States’ heavyweight status in the international financial system, the US Treasury has isolated and bankrupted rogue regimes, global terrorists, and their enablers. As financial technology transforms global business, the traditional financial system faces new competition […]

China Entrepreneurship

New Atlanticist

Dec 21, 2018

James Mattis: Leading by example

By Frederic C. Hof

Consistent with his record of service, he has chosen the path of honorable exit. In this administration he will likely be alone.

Defense Policy Syria

New Atlanticist

Dec 21, 2018

Brexit will be detrimental for US ties with the UK and the EU

By Stuart E. Eizenstat

Brexit will be a blow to US-UK economic relations, to US companies doing business in the UK, and to the economy of the UK, the United States’ closest ally.

European Union Macroeconomics

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