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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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

Dec 20, 2018

Our holiday reading list

By Atlantic Council experts

We asked our community of experts for a list of books they would recommend for the holidays. Whether you like to read from cover to cover or between the lines, we have you covered. Stefanie Hausheer Ali, associate director for programs in the Atlantic Council’s Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East. Follow her on […]

New Atlanticist

Dec 20, 2018

2018: a snapshot

By David A. Wemer

As 2018 draws to a close, we take a look at some of the biggest news stories of the year from around the world.

Economy & Business International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Dec 20, 2018

#StrongerWithAllies: Lithuanian sharpshooter has security in his sights

By Lukas Andriukaitis

The National Guard, an integral part of Lithuania’s armed forces, defends Lithuania’s borders and undertakes operations for which the country’s regular forces are not nimble enough.

NATO Northern Europe

New Atlanticist

Dec 20, 2018

Top 10 risks of 2019

By Robert A. Manning and Mathew J. Burrows

Unfortunately, 2018 will not go down as a very memorable year in turning the page on the big issues of our time. Trump is right to claim credit for starting a dialogue with North Korean leader Kim Jung-un, but even that faces tests—as we outline—in the coming year.

Conflict European Union

New Atlanticist

Dec 19, 2018

The RUSAL deal: a good outcome?

By Brian O'Toole

Sanctions targeting RUSAL’s founder and now indirect minority shareholder, Oleg Deripaska, worked exactly the way they are supposed to.

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Russia

New Atlanticist

Dec 19, 2018

Trump’s Syria decision poses more questions than answers

By Frederic C. Hof

ISIS has not—contrary to the statement—been militarily terminated in Syria by the anti-ISIS Global Coalition: something to which the United States Department of Defense will attest.

Syria

New Atlanticist

Dec 19, 2018

US preparing to withdraw troops from Syria: what does it mean?

By David A. Wemer

"This will also have positive repercussions for ISIS that still operates in eastern Syria. By the US' own admission, not enough fighters have been trained to stabilize the region after the victory against ISIS." said Mona Alami, Atlantic Council nonresident senior fellow.

Conflict Defense Policy

New Atlanticist

Dec 18, 2018

Progress toward peace in Yemen, but hard work remains

By Afrah Nasser

To be sure, there are plenty of daunting issues that need to be addressed in order to achieve a lasting peace in Yemen. These issues were not addressed in the talks in Sweden.

Human Rights International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Dec 18, 2018

US Syria envoy: Syrian Kurds’ future lies in Syria

By David A. Wemer

With ISIS mainly eradicated from Syria, Special Representative James Jeffrey’s comments could signal the Trump administration’s willingness to weaken its support for the Kurdish groups.

Syria

New Atlanticist

Dec 18, 2018

Here’s what Brexit would mean for the transatlantic relationship

By Peter Ricketts

The goal of Atlanticists on both sides of the pond should be to keep alive the conviction of the founding fathers of NATO that it is profoundly in the national security interests of Britain and the United States to promote a strong multilateral alliance attuned to the security threats of today and tomorrow.

European Union International Organizations

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