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.

Despite Trump, Republican view on climate change evolves

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

Stay updated

Explore our unique analysis

Fast Thinking

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

Oct 15, 2018

Despite Trump, Republican view on climate change evolves

By David Livingston

The current Trump administration position toward climate leadership could be generously construed as one of unconstructive ambivalence, while it might be more accurate to deem it simply as a lack of strategic foresight.

United States and Canada

New Atlanticist

Oct 15, 2018

Global economic leaders should prepare for ‘unknown unknowns’ of climate change

By Valerie Rouxel-Laxton

he economic and financial leaders gathered in Bali last week have the influence to drive change, which can only be addressed through significant international cooperation. Will our leaders rise to the challenge?

Climate Change & Climate Action Renewables & Advanced Energy

New Atlanticist

Oct 12, 2018

Rapid intensification of hurricanes: A threat that requires resilient responses

By Samuel Jeffrey

A hurricane rapidly intensifying immediately before making landfall poses a unique and urgent threat. Systematically building resilience to account for these conditions—with hours, not days to prepare for a storm—is critical.

Energy & Environment

New Atlanticist

Oct 12, 2018

With pastor’s release, Erdoğan pulls Turkey back from the brink

By Ross Wilson

What comes next is unclear, though press reports suggest that Brunson’s release reflects a deal with Washington that presumably includes further expectations on both sides.

Turkey United States and Canada

New Atlanticist

Oct 12, 2018

Turkey frees US pastor, but bumps in relationship remain

By Aaron Stein

The US government has, over the past year, been in talks with its Turkish counterparts about the terms of Brunson’s release. His release will close a strange chapter in US-Turkish diplomatic history. It will not, however, resolve tensions.

Politics & Diplomacy Turkey

New Atlanticist

Oct 12, 2018

United States, intelligence allies expand effort to contain Chinese influence

By David A. Wemer

Amidst the backdrop of growing trade tensions between the United States and China, Washington has begun drawing attention to growing Chinese influence and economic campaigns within Western countries and in regions across the world.

China Intelligence

New Atlanticist

Oct 12, 2018

US pastor’s release signals a new chapter in US-Turkey ties

By Ashish Kumar Sen

"There are still pending issues between Turkey and the United States, however—I believe—this news will facilitate the tone on the remaining issues. It is time to start rebuilding the strategic relationship," said Defne Arslan, director of the Atlantic Council in Turkey Program.

Politics & Diplomacy Turkey

New Atlanticist

Oct 11, 2018

Quiz: Brazil’s Opening Round

By Atlantic Council

Brazil is down to its final two. Think you know everything about the race to the Palácio do Planalto? Test your knowledge with seven questions on the presidential election and the other hundreds of contests in Latin America’s biggest country. Pull up your vote count spreadsheets and prove that no one follows an election like […]

Brazil

New Atlanticist

Oct 11, 2018

Deciphering the Afghan riddle

By Omar Samad

Despite the gains and sacrifices made by Afghans and their allies, mounting human losses, growing ethnic rifts, economic woes, and weakened political consensus have disrupted part of the “self-reliance” agenda.

Afghanistan Conflict

New Atlanticist

Oct 11, 2018

Europe’s liberal dream team looks more like a marriage of convenience

By Nick Ottens

Macron and Rutte are both relatively young (forty and fifty-one, respectively), ambitious (Rutte is believed to covet the European Council presidency, currently held by Donald Tusk), and in favor of reform of the European Union (EU).

European Union France

Share

Issue briefs and reports