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.

Trump Says He’s Willing to Meet Iran’s Rouhani Without Preconditions

New Atlanticist
Mar 6, 2025

How European leaders are responding to Trump’s approach to Ukraine and Europe

From London and Berlin to Paris and Brussels, European leaders have taken several notable steps this week on security. This follows the blow-up between the Ukrainian and US presidents on February 28.

New Atlanticist
Feb 26, 2025

Why the US should not lift sanctions against Russia

By
Charles Lichfield

Sanctions are having an unmistakable effect, albeit below the inflated expectations of many in the West in early 2022. Lifting them now would be a mistake.

Conflict
Economic Sanctions

New Atlanticist
Mar 5, 2025

The Egyptian plan for postwar Gaza is a good starting point—but it needs changes

By
Thomas S. Warrick

While many obstacles remain, the Egyptian proposal could form the starting point for negotiations over a workable plan for postwar Gaza.

Conflict
Crisis Management

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New Atlanticist

Jul 30, 2018

Trump Says He’s Willing to Meet Iran’s Rouhani Without Preconditions

By David Wemer

Eight days ago, US President Donald J. Trump warned Hassan Rouhani of dire “consequences” should the Iranian president persist with his threats against the United States. On July 30, Trump said he would be willing to meet with the Iranian leader at any time “with no preconditions.” “If they [the Iranians] want to meet, we’ll […]

Iran

New Atlanticist

Jul 30, 2018

US Engagement in the Balkans is Critical, Says Albania’s Foreign Minister

By Atlantic Council

Albanian Foreign Minister Ditmir Bushati says US engagement in the Balkans is critical to ensure that there will be no derailment of the effort by Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) to normalize relations that would pave the way for the latter to join NATO. “Now that both countries [Greece and Macedonia] […]

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Jul 27, 2018

When America First Meets Italy First

By Nick Ottens

US President Donald J. Trump may not find the ally he expects when he meets with the new Italian prime minister, Giuseppe Conte, in Washington on July 30. The two appear to have gotten along at the recent Group of Seven (G7) and NATO summits. At the former, Conte agreed with Trump that Russia should […]

Italy

New Atlanticist

Jul 26, 2018

Of Soybean Sales and ‘Vast Amounts’ of LNG

By Teri Schultz

EU officials temper exuberant expectations of transatlantic truce “European Union representatives told me that they would start buying soybeans from our great farmers immediately. Also, they will be buying vast amounts of LNG!” That’s what US President Donald J. Trump tweeted after his meeting with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker at the White House on […]

Economy & Business European Union

New Atlanticist

Jul 26, 2018

In Pakistan, It’s Imran Khan’s Turn to Bat

By James Schwemlein

The apparent victory of cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party in the July 25 parliamentary election marks a new inflection point in Pakistan’s politics and external policies. This election, though marred by allegations of tampering and violence, marks Pakistan’s second consecutive transition from one civilian-led government to another through an election. Additionally, PTI’s ascent […]

Pakistan

New Atlanticist

Jul 26, 2018

Was the Trump-Juncker Meeting Really a Success?

By David Wemer

US President Donald J. Trump and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker attempted to tamp down trade tensions between the United States and the European Union (EU) in their meeting at the White House on July 25. Juncker pledged that the EU would seek to import more US soybeans, buy more US liquified natural gas (LNG), […]

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

New Atlanticist

Jul 25, 2018

Zimbabwe at an Inflection Point

By Ashish Kumar Sen

On July 30, for the first time in more than thirty years, Zimbabweans will vote in a presidential election in which one name will be conspicuously absent from the ballot: Robert Mugabe. Mugabe stepped down in the face of pressure from the military, his party, and the Zimbabwean people on November 21, 2017, even as […]

South & Central Africa

New Atlanticist

Jul 25, 2018

A ‘No Deal’ Brexit Re-Emerges

By Reginald Dale

As Europe closes down for its summer vacation, increasing concerns—or threats—are being voiced that the terms of the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union (EU) next March will not be ready on time. The old ogre of a cataclysmic “no deal” Brexit that stalked the negotiations earlier in the talks is resurfacing in a […]

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Jul 24, 2018

US-EU Trade: What You Need to Know

By David Wemer

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and European Union Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström will meet US President Donald J. Trump at the White House on July 25 in an attempt to calm tensions that are roiling transatlantic trade ties. Here’s what you need to know ahead of that meeting.

Economy & Business European Union

New Atlanticist

Jul 24, 2018

Latin America’s Future Begins with the Pacific Alliance

By Jason Marczak

This piece was originally published in Spanish in El Financiero on July 24. The original can be veiwed here. Following the 13th Summit of the Pacific Alliance in Puerto Vallarta, it’s evident that this bloc is the future, and that it offers a prime opportunity for Mexican President-elect Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO). The Alliance has achieved […]

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