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

Jun 15, 2016

Tourism in Turkey Takes a Hit

By John M. Roberts

Istanbul is commonly described as a city on two continents. Well, Istanbul’s main airport is now a city of two worlds: its transit halls as full as ever; the arrival areas eerily quiet. This is the visible side of the collapse of tourism in Turkey, the consequence of bombings in cities and a return to […]

Turkey

New Atlanticist

Jun 14, 2016

DNC Hack: ‘No Certain Links’ to Foreign Governments

By Mitch Hulse

There are “no certain links” between foreign nation states and the hackers who breached the Democratic National Committee’s computer network and accessed opposition research on Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, according to an Atlantic Council cybersecurity expert. “It’s possible that multiple groups independently initiated their own intrusion of the DNC network, for entirely separate reasons—that […]

Cybersecurity Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Jun 14, 2016

Is Libya’s Breakup Imminent?

By Ashish Kumar Sen

War on ISIS may put rival Libyan forces on a collision course, said the Atlantic Council’s Karim Mezran The battle to drive the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham out of the Libyan city of Sirte may have the unintended consequence of putting in proximity forces loyal to the UN-backed unity government in the west […]

Libya

New Atlanticist

Jun 13, 2016

Security Seen as Priority for Megacities

By Mitch Hulse

Densely populated cities need to prioritize safety and security as urbanization rates swell and resources become strained, said Tom Ridge, the first US secretary of homeland security.

Brazil France

New Atlanticist

Jun 13, 2016

Former US Officials to White House: In Orlando Response, Don’t Get Distracted by Campaign Rhetoric

By Ashish Kumar Sen

As a lone gunman’s deadly rampage at an Orlando nightclub in the early hours of June 12—the worst mass shooting in modern US history—dominated the presidential campaign rhetoric, former US officials advised the Obama administration to remain above the fray. “I wouldn’t react to the political campaigns’ rhetoric,” said Frances Fragos Townsend, a former homeland […]

New Atlanticist

Jun 10, 2016

Challenging Putin at the Ballot Box

By Mitch Hulse

Russian opposition leader cites importance of participation in parliamentary elections In a climate of repression and authoritarianism institutionalized by Russian President Vladimir Putin, opposition parties “must use every opportunity to challenge” the Kremlin even if it means participating in a “flawed and truncated election process,” according to a Russian opposition leader.

Elections Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Jun 9, 2016

Energy Security is No Monkey Business

By Brenda Shaffer

A monkey prancing on an electricity transformer caused a nationwide power outage in Kenya on June 7. The incident is a reminder of the vulnerability of our energy infrastructure. Policies to protect such infrastructure tend to focus on preventing terrorist attacks on pipelines and power stations. But, as the incident in Kenya has shown, even […]

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

New Atlanticist

Jun 9, 2016

Great Expectations: Aspirant Nations See NATO Enlargement as Vital to Europe’s Stability

By Mitch Hulse

NATO membership for countries in the Balkans and for Georgia is crucial for the stability of Europe and will send a clear signal that Russia does not have a veto over the alliance’s enlargement plans, panelists, including officials from Macedonia and Georgia, said at the Atlantic Council on June 8.

European Union Greece

New Atlanticist

Jun 9, 2016

Keep Door Open to Russia: Breedlove

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander for Europe advocates establishing a line of communications with Moscow It is important not to close the door to Russia, which is led by a man whose number one goal is to create rifts within NATO and the European Union, former NATO Supreme Allied Commander for Europe, Gen. Philip M. […]

NATO Poland

New Atlanticist

Jun 8, 2016

NATO Enlargement Seen About Filling Gaps

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Montenegro’s defense minister, Milica Pejanović-Đurišić, has some advice for countries aspiring to join NATO: explain to partners and friends the importance of alliance membership from a political standpoint. Pejanović-Đurišić is well positioned to give such advice. In December 2015, NATO extended an invitation to Montenegro to begin accession talks and become the twenty-ninth member of […]

NATO Russia

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