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.

Gadhafi’s Libya and the importance of not shunning the past

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 18, 2018

Gadhafi’s Libya and the importance of not shunning the past

By Karim Mezran

It is now common to hear in the streets of the capital Tripoli and other Libyan cities the wistful sentiment: “I wish we could go back to the golden period of Gadhafi’s rule.”

Democratic Transitions International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Oct 18, 2018

Rome and Brussels go head to head in budget battle

By Álvaro Morales Salto-Weis

The proposal, which creates a deficit that is more than triple the level desired by the EU, has left investors jittery about the trajectory of the Italian economy.

Economy & Business European Union

New Atlanticist

Oct 18, 2018

Quiz: Countdown to Brexit

By Atlantic Council

The United Kingdom has six months left in the European Union. Do you know the difference between “hard” and “soft” Brexit? Whether you’re Team Barnier or Team Raab, prove that you are the master of Brexit negotiations. Here are seven questions on Europe’s messy divorce.

United Kingdom

New Atlanticist

Oct 18, 2018

Championing the frontlines of freedom

By Damon Wilson

Russia aims to establish a permanent grey zone between itself and NATO and the EU. But Moscow is learning that the people of the region have a say—and they won’t have it.

Crisis Management Eastern Europe

New Atlanticist

Oct 17, 2018

Our critical infrastructure is more vulnerable than ever. Here’s what we can do about it.

By Michael K. Daly

The United States, like many of its allies, is at a tipping point. We must step up and make it more difficult for our adversaries to breach our critical infrastructure.

Cybersecurity Infrastructure Protection

New Atlanticist

Oct 16, 2018

Latin Americans are tired of corruption—and increasingly tired of fighting it

By Jamie Shenk

As each new case helps illuminate the scale of corruption in Latin American politics, the resulting never-ending media coverage of corruption scandals is testing citizens’ patience and confidence.

Corruption Latin America

New Atlanticist

Oct 15, 2018

Bavaria election casts doubt on Merkel’s grand coalition

By Jörn Fleck and Alex Baker

With both Christian Democrats and Social Democrats suffering heavy losses, is this the beginning of the end for German Chancellor Angela Merkel's grand coalition?

Elections Germany

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

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