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.

Here’s why Angela Merkel will be paying attention to Bavaria’s election (and you should too)

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.

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Here’s why Angela Merkel will be paying attention to Bavaria’s election (and you should too)

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

Here’s why Angela Merkel will be paying attention to Bavaria’s election (and you should too)

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

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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.

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Our experts decipher and annotate major speeches and policy documents to break down big ideas and lay them out in plain language.

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Content

New Atlanticist

Oct 10, 2018

Here’s why Angela Merkel will be paying attention to Bavaria’s election (and you should too)

By Jörn Fleck and Alex Baker

The bigger question for German and perhaps European politics will be how the CSU reacts to a likely loss of an absolute majority at home.

Elections Germany

New Atlanticist

Oct 10, 2018

World economic outlook: Trade tensions and tariffs a major threat to global economic growth

By Marie Kasperek

While a downward correction of 0.2 percent in global growth is not outright alarming, experts do warn of potential clouds on the horizon.

International Financial Institutions Macroeconomics

New Atlanticist

Oct 10, 2018

Elections in Bosnia: More of the same, but there is a silver lining

By Dimitar Bechev

To cut a long story short, Bosnia’s politics continue to be dominated by two ethnically defined poles—one led by Serbian Dodik and another around Muslim Bosniaks and the SDA. 

Elections The Balkans

New Atlanticist

Oct 9, 2018

SWIFT action risks unintended consequences

By Samantha Sultoon

Unilateral, isolated policy making that implicates SWIFT risks hampering the flow of global financial transactions and trade, harming US businesses as well as further antagonizing European allies.

International Financial Institutions Trade and tariffs
HaleyTrumpFeature

New Atlanticist

Oct 9, 2018

UN Ambassador Nikki Haley resigns

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Haley, a former governor of South Carolina and the daughter of Indian immigrants, at times struck an independent position from Trump, but was also a prominent supporter of the president.

International Organizations Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Oct 8, 2018

Led by leftists Since 2003, Brazil could soon get a far-right president

By Ashish Kumar Sen

“Bolsonaro’s near victory in the first round shows Brazilians are fed up with insecurity and corruption, and desperately want their economic fortunes reversed,” said Jason Marczak, director of the Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center.

Brazil Elections

New Atlanticist

Oct 5, 2018

A new chapter in Iraq?

By Andrea Taylor

On October 3, Iraq’s newly named president, Barham Salih, picked Adel Abdul Mahdi, an independent Shia politician, to be the next prime minister and form a government.

Democratic Transitions Iraq

New Atlanticist

Oct 5, 2018

Quiz: Is NAFTA Back From the Dead?

By Atlantic Council

NAFTA is back with a new alias: the USMCA. Can you spot the difference? Put your knowledge to the test with 7 questions designed for only the truest trade geeks. Pour a glass of Okanagan Valley Pinot Noir and prove that you liked NAFTA before it was cool.

Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Oct 5, 2018

Brexit status report: breaking up is never easy

By David A. Wemer

Many of these issues boil down to a central question: how much power is the United Kingdom ready to cede to Brussels in return for access to the EU’s market?

European Union Eurozone

New Atlanticist

Oct 5, 2018

An inflection point in the Maldives?

By Bharath Gopalaswamy and Trevor Cloen

Despite all odds, the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) achieved a stunning electoral victory on September 23 that provides the Indian Ocean nation with an opportunity to reverse the erosion of rights and freedoms that occurred during Yameen’s tenure.

China Democratic Transitions
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