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
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

Jun 5, 2018

The United States Needs its Friends

By Daniel Fried

Sometimes, even the United States needs friends. On September 10, 2001, the National Security Council staff where I then worked had in mind a whole other week from the one we got. Early on September 12, I was in Condoleezza Rice’s office as she worked to get our allies to invoke NATO’s Article 5 defense […]

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Jun 4, 2018

The United States Remains a Beacon for Moldova

By Cristina Balan

Ronald Reagan was fond of comparing the United States to “a shining ‘city on a hill.’” Today, some American friends tell me that phrase strikes them as shopworn or cliché. But for many in Eastern Europe who remain under Russian domination, it still rings true. The United States’ example of security through strength, democracy, free […]

Moldova Russia

New Atlanticist

Jun 4, 2018

Fighting the Wrong War? Reaching the Right Peace? Trump’s Foreign Policy Unleashed

By Frederick Kempe

So, this is how the world looks when President Trump follows his gut. This is what you get when the president has top advisers who do more to channel his energies (doing deals, righting trade wrongs, unraveling the Obama years) than to challenge his worst instincts (punish ungrateful allies, obsess on trade deficits, mistake tactics […]

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Jun 1, 2018

Making China Great Again

By Marie Kasperek

US tariffs on the EU, Mexico, and Canada are a gift to Beijing As US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross arrives in Beijing on June 2 for talks on the future of the Sino-American trade relationship, he comes bearing a gift: freshly issued tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from the European Union (EU), Canada, and […]

Economy & Business European Union

New Atlanticist

Jun 1, 2018

Trump-Kim Summit is Back On

By Ashish Kumar Sen

US President Donald J. Trump said on June 1 that his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will proceed as initially planned in Singapore on June 12. Trump’s announcement followed his meeting at the White House with Gen. Kim Yong-chol, the vice-chairman of North Korea’s Workers’ Party’s Central Committee. Kim is the first North […]

Korea

New Atlanticist

Jun 1, 2018

EU-Friendly Government in Spain Likely After Rajoy’s Ouster

By Nick Ottens

French President Emmanuel Macron could soon find an ally in Madrid. Just as Italy installs a government that opposes his proposals for closer integration within the European Union (EU), the most pro-European party in Spain could be on the verge of leading the next government.

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Jun 1, 2018

Turmoil in Euro Area Spreads as Rajoy’s Government is Ousted in Spain

By Alvaro Morales Salto-Weis and Bart Oosterveld

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy’s conservative government was ousted in a no-confidence vote on June 1, sharpening a crisis within the European Union (EU) which is already dealing with the political uncertainty in Italy. Rajoy’s startling ouster marked the first time Spain’s leader has been toppled in such a way since the country transitioned to […]

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

May 31, 2018

US Imposes Tariffs on the EU, Mexico, and Canada

By Ashish Kumar Sen

US President Donald J. Trump’s administration announced on May 31 that it will no longer exempt Canada, Mexico, and the European Union from previously announced tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. This means tariffs—25 percent on imports of steel and 10 percent on imports of aluminum—will go into effect at midnight on June 1. The […]

Economy & Business European Union

New Atlanticist

May 31, 2018

In Defense of Orbán

By Zsigmond Perényi

An emotionally charged debate has resurfaced about the nature of Hungarian democracy in the wake of the ruling Fidesz party’s victory in parliamentary elections in April. While it is legitimate to have a well-reasoned and honest dialogue about Hungary’s current political landscape, a proper understanding of real-life events can only occur by sticking to the […]

European Union Hungary

New Atlanticist

May 30, 2018

‘You Don’t Point Guns at the Heads of Your Allies’

By Teri Schultz

Interview with Anthony Gardner, a former US ambassador to the European Union US President Donald J. Trump’s decision to withdraw from both the Iran nuclear deal and the Paris climate agreement as well as threats to impose tariffs on imports of European steel and aluminum have put transatlantic relations on the worst footing since the […]

European Union International Organizations

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