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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.

Curb Your Enthusiasm: Even If Viktor Orbán Loses Sunday, Hungarian Democracy Is Still In Trouble

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.

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Curb Your Enthusiasm: Even If Viktor Orbán Loses Sunday, Hungarian Democracy Is Still In Trouble

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

Curb Your Enthusiasm: Even If Viktor Orbán Loses Sunday, Hungarian Democracy Is Still In Trouble

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 5, 2018

Curb Your Enthusiasm: Even If Viktor Orbán Loses Sunday, Hungarian Democracy Is Still In Trouble

By Jeffrey Gedmin

Six weeks ago, the ruling conservative-nationalist Fidesz party of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán was delivered a stunning defeat. The southern city of Hódmezővásárhely—population, roughly 45,000—had been governed by Fidesz mayors since 1990. The party’s candidate this time was projected to win handily, by about twenty points. Yet, that was approximately the margin of victory […]

Hungary

New Atlanticist

Apr 5, 2018

Shrinking the Pie: The US-China Tariff War Could Get a Whole Lot Worse

By Marie Kasperek

You think that China’s decision to impose tariffs on $3 billion worth of US exports in response to US tariffs is bad? Things are about to get a whole lot worse—potentially. If US President Donald J. Trump’s administration imposes additional tariffs on Chinese products worth about $50 billion—as it has pledged to do—China is poised […]

China Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Apr 4, 2018

A Blueprint for US Strategy in the Baltics

By Damon Wilson

Since regaining independence, the Baltic states have transformed themselves into some of Europe’s most dynamic economies with some of the fastest growth rates in Europe. Baltic societies are highly digitized and connected to the outside world. They are also committed to democratic values of openness, human rights, and rule of law. Today, these accomplishments face […]

NATO Northern Europe

New Atlanticist

Apr 4, 2018

Syria: To Leave or Not to Leave?

By Frederic C. Hof

That is the question.  On the “leave” side of the answer are Bashar al-Assad, Ali Khamenei, Vladimir Putin, and Donald Trump. “Not to leave” is the position of the United States Department of Defense. Who will prevail? Who should? One may stipulate that President Trump’s motives for wanting to put Syria in the rear-view mirror […]

Iran Russia

New Atlanticist

Apr 4, 2018

McMaster’s Churchill Moment

By Barry Pavel

In an historic valedictory speech at the Atlantic Council on April 3, his last as a member of the United States government, National Security Advisor LTG H.R. McMaster depicted the United States and its European allies as under attack by Russia on multiple fronts. With passion and determination,  McMaster spoke of the need to strengthen […]

New Atlanticist

Apr 4, 2018

LTG H.R. McMaster: The Toughest Man on Russia?

By Ashish Kumar Sen

US national security advisor says West has “failed to impose sufficient costs” on Moscow for its aggressive behavior US President Donald J. Trump assured the leaders of the Baltic states—Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania—at a White House meeting on April 3 that no one has been tougher on Russia than him. Hours later, he was almost […]

Russia

New Atlanticist

Apr 3, 2018

Trump Tells Baltic Leaders He is Tough on Russia

By Ashish Kumar Sen

US President Donald J. Trump has assured leaders of the three Baltic States—Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania—that no one has been tougher on Russia than him. He also said that he thinks he could have a “very good relationship” with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump made the comments in a joint press conference with the three […]

Northern Europe

New Atlanticist

Apr 3, 2018

Halting the ‘Caravans’

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Addressing push factors is key to stemming flow of unauthorized migrants, says Atlantic Council’s Jason Marczak US President Donald J. Trump on April 3 announced that he would deploy US troops to the border with Mexico to stop the flow of unauthorized migrants into the United States. The comment followed a series of tweets in […]

Mexico Northern Triangle

New Atlanticist

Apr 2, 2018

Pork with a Side of Tariffs

By Ashish Kumar Sen

China’s decision to impose tariffs on about $3 billion worth of US imports sent stocks tumbling on April 2 and fueled fears that a trade war—or at the very least a trade skirmish—is imminent. The Chinese tariffs, which went into effect on April 2, target 128 US products, including pork, fruit and nuts, and steel […]

China Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Mar 30, 2018

Angola Needs a New Strategy for Globalization

By Aubrey Hruby

Angola has long had a reputation of being a closed and secretive frontier market.  Despite Africa’s emergence as an attractive investment destination over the past fifteen years, opportunities in Angola remained hidden by the isolationist tendencies of its former regime. However, the new president, João Lourenço, is in the process of reintroducing his country to […]

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