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.

Here’s how to address the Central American migrant challenge

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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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

Here’s how to address the Central American migrant challenge

By Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Escaping inhospitable conditions in their home countries, men, women, and children hope to find a safer, better future in the United States. Here's how the United States should respond.

Central America Human Rights

US President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary James Mattis

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Oct 26, 2018

This is what a post-Mattis Pentagon will look like

By Todd Rosenblum

It is not clear when Mattis will leave the Pentagon. What is clear is that his departure will usher in a more conforming leader compliant to this particular president’s unusual and impulsive leadership style. That’s not good.

Security & Defense United States and Canada

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.

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion 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.

Central America Human Rights

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