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

Apr 30, 2018

Trump-Kim Summit: Distrust and Verify

By Ashish Kumar Sen

If the upcoming summit between US President Donald J. Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un fails to move the conversation closer to a peaceful resolution, it could result in a return to the belligerence of a few months ago, according to John McHugh, an Atlantic Council board director and former secretary of the US […]

China Korea

New Atlanticist

Apr 30, 2018

US Trade Partners Prepare for Tariff Exemptions to Expire

By Marie Kasperek

Tuesday, May 1 may mark the start of a fully fledged global trade dispute. US President Donald J. Trump announced tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum products into the United States on March 23, granting temporary exemptions for only seven key US allies of the US: the European Union (EU), Australia, Brazil, Argentina, Canada, […]

Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Apr 27, 2018

Franco-German Role Reversal Reflected in Washington Visits

By Louis Golino

The visits to Washington this week by Europe’s two top leaders—French President Emanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel—underscore the dramatic changes within Europe and in the transatlantic relationship over the past year. France has emerged as arguably the European Union’s most influential nation today, and certainly as Washington’s preferred partner. In this, France replaces […]

European Union France

New Atlanticist

Apr 27, 2018

Previewing the Trump administration’s Missile Defense Review

By Matthew Kroenig

The Trump administration rolled out a series of national security and defense policy reviews in late 2017 and early 2018, but one important document has yet to be published: the Missile Defense Review (MDR). Insiders predict the MDR could be published as early as next month, so what can we expect? It is likely that […]

Korea Missile Defense

New Atlanticist

Apr 27, 2018

The Koreas: Charting a Path to Peace

By Ashish Kumar Sen

The big question following the historic summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in on April 27 is what denuclearization means in the context of the summit declaration, according to the Atlantic Council’s Alexander “Sandy” Vershbow. “In the past, denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, as distinct from denuclearization of North […]

Korea

New Atlanticist

Apr 27, 2018

The Korean Summit: Cautious Optimism

By Ashish Kumar Sen

The leaders of North and South Korea agreed on April 27 to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula and work to formally end the Korean War this year. Making history, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un walked across into South Korea where he was greeted by a beaming South Korean President Moon Jae-in. This was the first time […]

Korea

New Atlanticist

Apr 26, 2018

Macron Tried to Convince Trump to Stick to the Iran Deal. Will it Work?

By Barbara Slavin

French President Emmanuel Macron could not have been more explicit in his remarks to a joint session of the US Congress: France will not leave the Iran nuclear deal without something “more substantial” in its place. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of the United States. Macron acknowledged the US administration’s reluctance to commit to […]

Iran

New Atlanticist

Apr 26, 2018

Nigeria’s Buhari goes to Washington

By Ashish Kumar Sen

“I think it sends a very good signal that the first African head of state to have an Oval Office meeting will be the democratically elected president of Africa’s most populous country and its largest economy,” said J. Peter Pham, director of the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center.

Economy & Business Nigeria

New Atlanticist

Apr 26, 2018

Mike Pompeo is the New Secretary of State. Now What?

By Rachel Ansley

The US Senate on April 26 confirmed former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency Mike Pompeo as the new US Secretary of State. US President Donald J. Trump picked Pompeo, a known foreign policy hawk on issues from Russia to Iran to North Korea, to replace Rex Tillerson at the State Department on March 13. […]

Cuba Iran

New Atlanticist

Apr 26, 2018

Five Things to Look for in the Korea Summit

By Todd Rosenblum

The summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in on April 27 is the first such formal event in eleven years. Much has changed, but much is still the same. Long-standing dynamics will be at play. Here are five interesting angles to watch.

Korea

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