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 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

New Atlanticist

Apr 26, 2018

It’s Merkel’s Turn: Phase Two of Europe’s Tag Team Effort With Trump

By Jörn Fleck

There seemed to be a plan behind French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s visits to Washington this week: a carefully choreographed tag team effort to tame US President Donald J. Trump’s unilateralist impulses on tariffs and the Iran nuclear deal that cause serious friction in transatlantic relations.

European Union Germany

New Atlanticist

Apr 26, 2018

Can the Competing Logic of Macron, Merkel—And Structural Change in Europe—Coexist?

By Jeffrey Gedmin

“We are happy when people and things conform and unhappy when they don’t. People and events don’t disappoint us, our models of reality do.” — Stefan Zweig, Austrian novelist, playwright, journalist, and biographer Lawmakers in the national parliament—who “owe just about everything to him”—are “perfect foot soldiers” for a leader with “an expansive notion of […]

European Union France

New Atlanticist

Apr 26, 2018

A Strategy for Merkel to Get Trump’s Attention

By Jacob Schrot

When German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrives in Washington on April 27 for her second visit since US President Donald J. Trump took office, she will not be weary of pointing out the common democratic values that Europe and the United States share and cherish. Trump will equally not be weary of showing his genuine disinterest […]

Germany United States and Canada

New Atlanticist

Apr 26, 2018

Six Things You Should Know as the Koreas Prepare to Make History

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Given the frenetic pace of the news cycle these days it would be easy to have missed the fact that the leaders of North and South Korea are poised to make a little bit of history of their own—and, perhaps, bring peace to two countries that have technically been at war with each other for […]

Korea

New Atlanticist

Apr 26, 2018

Macron’s Climate Message to Congress

By David Livingston

French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Washington has been replete with pre-planned symbolism, well-orchestrated photo ops, and abundant re-affirmations of the bonds between France and the United States. In terms of substance, however, Macron saved his best for last, calling on US President Donald J. Trump to step up to the plate and act on […]

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