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.

Dark Money, Shell Corporations in the United States Seen as Invitation to Russian Meddling

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

Sep 26, 2017

Dark Money, Shell Corporations in the United States Seen as Invitation to Russian Meddling

By Ashish Kumar Sen

If the United States is to succeed in tackling Russian meddling, it needs to address vulnerabilities—dark money and shell corporations—that are “an open invitation to the Russians to continue their election interference,” US Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) said at the Atlantic Council on September 26. The United States faces something of a predicament because dark […]

New Atlanticist

Sep 26, 2017

A High-Ambition Coalition? What Germany’s Elections Could Mean for Climate

By Ellen Scholl

In the German elections on September 24, Germany’s Christian Democrat Union (CDU) emerged once again as the most popular party, securing a fourth term for Chancellor Angela Merkel. While the question of who will lead Germany was answered, the question of which parties will govern the country—and in what coalition—is far from settled. As coalition […]

Germany

New Atlanticist

Sep 26, 2017

European Ambassadors Defend Iran Nuclear Deal

By Ashish Kumar Sen

European ambassadors to the United States on September 25 defended the nuclear deal with Iran, saying it is working, while warning that reopening negotiations would be a nonstarter and walking away from the deal would have serious consequences. This joint defense comes as US President Donald J. Trump, who has to certify to the US […]

European Union France

New Atlanticist

Sep 26, 2017

The New Thorn in Merkel’s Side

By Alina Polyakova

In a year of unpredictable elections in the United States and in Europe, Germany’s federal elections on September 24 went as expected: Chancellor Angela Merkel was re-elected to a rare fourth term, signaling that a majority of Germans want more of the same for the next four years. And, why shouldn’t they? Germany has enjoyed […]

Germany Russia

New Atlanticist

Sep 24, 2017

Dealing with the Far-Right in Germany

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Atlantic Council experts share their take on the outcome of the German elections. Here’s what they have to say:

Germany

New Atlanticist

Sep 24, 2017

German Election Shows Europe’s Nationalist Wave Has Not Crested

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Interview with the Atlantic Council’s Daniel Fried German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s party came in first, which is good news. But the strong showing by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in elections on September 24 is evidence of the fact that the nationalist wave remains a significant factor in Europe, according to the Atlantic Council’s […]

Germany

New Atlanticist

Sep 22, 2017

Nuclear Power: A Victim of Market and Technological Changes?

By Robert F. Ichord, Jr.

Super hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria have put a spotlight on US President Donald J. Trump’s policy position on climate change, which seems to deny the scientific reality. Although its “energy dominance” policy seeks to expand coal, oil, and gas, the Trump administration in June announced a “complete review of US nuclear energy policy” with […]

Nuclear Nonproliferation Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Sep 21, 2017

Strengthen US Ballistic Missile Defense to Deter North Korea

By Nilsu Goren

After a series of missile tests over the past couple of months, it is clear that, left to its own devices, North Korea will continue to test its intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) over the same trajectory and at greater distances into the Pacific. Frequent tests have proven that Pyongyang, despite international condemnation and an enhanced […]

Korea

New Atlanticist

Sep 21, 2017

With a Little Help from My Friends: How Sweden is Balancing its Security in the Baltics

By Anna Wieslander

Sweden is currently conducting its largest military exercises in over twenty years. Almost 20,000 Swedish troops are participating in Aurora17, which will run until September 29. They are joined by military units from Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Lithuania, Norway, and the United States, which has sent more than 1,000 troops, including a Patriot missile battery, […]

NATO Northern Europe

New Atlanticist

Sep 20, 2017

Trudeau Delivers Rallying Cry to Save Global Order

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Canadian prime minister, South Korean president, pianist Lang Lang receive Atlantic Council’s Global Citizen Award Justin Trudeau, Canada’s prime minister and the recipient of the Atlantic Council’s 2017 Global Citizen Award, on September 19 delivered a passionate rallying cry to protect the alliances that have underpinned global security and prosperity since the end of World […]

Korea United States and Canada

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