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.

Global Warning: Energy Industry Exhorted to Address Climate Change

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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Global Energy Forum

Jan 12, 2018

Global Warning: Energy Industry Exhorted to Address Climate Change

By Rachel Ansley

New York City’s lawsuit against the Big Five oil companies holding them accountable for the destruction of the city caused by climate change-related storms makes apparent that the energy industry must change course in 2018 in order to sustain investment and production, according to a top official at a major petroleum company. “The oil and […]

Global Energy Forum

Jan 12, 2018

China Shifts into Top Gear on Electric Cars

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Beijing’s strategy seen likely to have a global impact China’s heavy investment in electric cars will have a significant global impact, panelists said at the Atlantic Council’s Global Energy Forum in Abu Dhabi on January 12. China has “put all of their R&D bet on mobility in electric vehicles, not one dime in internal combustion […]

The Gulf

Global Energy Forum

Jan 12, 2018

OPEC President Sees Oil-Cut Deal Sticking Through 2018

By Ashish Kumar Sen

The United Arab Emirates’ minister of energy and industry said on January 12 that a deal that cuts oil output with the goal of pushing prices higher will stick through the end of December 2018—despite rumblings in Russia for an early exit. Speaking at the Atlantic Council’s Global Energy Forum in Abu Dhabi, Suhail Mohamed […]

The Gulf

Global Energy Forum

Jan 12, 2018

Atlantic Council Kicks Off Global Energy Forum in Abu Dhabi

By Ashish Kumar Sen

The Atlantic Council kicked off its second annual Global Energy Forum in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, on January 12. Atlantic Council President and Chief Executive Officer Frederick Kempe said that the forum, which marks the start of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, convenes the world’s energy leaders to “take stock of the challenges we […]

The Gulf

New Atlanticist

Jan 11, 2018

How North Korea Went from Testing Missiles to Figure Skating in the Winter Olympics

By Rachel Ansley

The most recent example of sports diplomacy between North and South Korea will not solve all problems between neighbors on the divided peninsula, but it certainly marks a step in the right direction. During a meeting between negotiators from Pyongyang and Seoul in the demilitarized zone (DMZ) along the border between North and South Korea […]

Korea

New Atlanticist

Jan 11, 2018

Trump is Upset with Pakistan. Here’s What You Need to Know.

By Ashish Kumar Sen

The Trump administration has cut off what is expected to be as much as $1.3 billion in annual security aid to Pakistan in an effort to compel this South Asian nation to end its support for terrorists. Is this a winning strategy? Unlikely. The United States has a longstanding relationship with Pakistan. However, in recent […]

Afghanistan Pakistan

New Atlanticist

Jan 8, 2018

In 2018, Macron’s Biggest Challenge Lies at Home

By Nicholas Dungan

France is off to a beautiful start to 2018—a year that could be a rosy one. At the end of 2017, the Economist designated France its “country of the year” following Emmanuel Macron’s election as president in May and the sweeping victory of his new political movement, La République en Marche! in parliamentary elections in […]

European Union France

New Atlanticist

Jan 5, 2018

Jordan Caught Between Trump and a Hard Place

By Shehab al-Makahleh and Giorgio Cafiero

US president’s Jerusalem decision puts Amman in a bind Jordan has been left with no choice but to oppose US President Donald J. Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel because the issue impacts the kingdom’s security and politics. As Jordanian King Abdullah II focuses more attention on Jerusalem and the unresolved question […]

Middle East

New Atlanticist

Jan 4, 2018

Top Risks of 2018

By Mathew Burrows, Robert A. Manning, and Owen Daniels

Risks are not predictions, but many of the threats posed to global security and stability highlighted in early 2017 have unfortunately materialized over the past year. Despite Chinese President Xi Jinping’s attempts to try to fill US shoes as it walks away from the world stage and defend globalization at last year’s World Economic Forum, […]

New Atlanticist

Jan 3, 2018

North Korea May Be Trying to Drive a Wedge Between the United States and South Korea

By Ashish Kumar Sen

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is likely trying to drive a wedge between the United States and South Korea with his uncharacteristic offer of an olive branch to Seoul, according to the Atlantic Council’s Robert A. Manning. On January 3, North Korea reopened a border hotline with South Korea after two years of silence. That […]

Korea

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