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
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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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 […]

Central America Mexico

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 […]

New Atlanticist

Mar 30, 2018

Women Activists from the Western Balkans Fighting for Peace and Gender Equality

By Sabine Freizer

Women have taken on greater roles in peace and security sectors In the Western Balkans since the end of the Yugoslav wars, thanks to government sponsored national action plans. However, a conservative backlash against gender equality now risks undermining these gains. The dynamic in the Western Balkans presents the European Union (EU) and NATO with […]

The Balkans

New Atlanticist

Mar 29, 2018

Sisi’s Second Term Could Be Spent Securing a Third

By Rachel Ansley

To no one’s surprise, Egyptians re-elected President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on March 29 by an overwhelming majority. However, according to an Atlantic Council analyst, one of Sisi’s priorities in his second term may be securing a third. “He has one major issue that I think he will go after in the first couple of years,” […]

North Africa

New Atlanticist

Mar 29, 2018

Is US Policy on Russia Changing?

By Louis Golino

The coordinated move by the United States and two dozen other countries on March 26 to expel more than one hundred Russian diplomats, if followed with additional actions targeted at Russian influence and money, could mark a significant turning point in Washington’s approach towards Russia and help improve relations with its European allies. The expulsion […]

Russia United States and Canada

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