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.

Will the US Congress Chip Away at the Embargo on Cuba?

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

Mar 21, 2016

Will the US Congress Chip Away at the Embargo on Cuba?

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Obama administration has done almost all it can to loosen embargo, now the ball is in Congress’ court, say Atlantic Council analysts US President Barack Obama and his Cuban counterpart, Raúl Castro, agree on at least one thing: the US trade and travel embargo on Cuba has to go. That is easier said than done. […]

Cuba Latin America

New Atlanticist

Mar 21, 2016

It’s Time to Sharpen NATO’s ‘Spearhead’ Force

By Robbie Gramer

Funding issues and decision-making challenges may render obsolete NATO’s “spearhead” force, which was set up in response to Russia’s military aggression along its eastern flank. This is another critical gap for NATO given Russia’s ramped up pressure on Eastern Europe, a move that has many Alliance officials even more worried after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s […]

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Mar 19, 2016

Russia in Ukraine: The Greatest Challenge to the European Security Order

By Peter Hultqvist and Juozas Olekas

European sanctions on Russia cannot be eased until Moscow fulfils commitments it made under the Minsk agreements to pull its troops and weaponry out of eastern Ukraine and Ukrainian control of its state borders is restored. Despite persistent Russian denials, regular Russian troops remain in Donbas and Moscow continues to provide military equipment and training […]

Northern Europe Russia

New Atlanticist

Mar 18, 2016

Migrant Deal ‘Reengages’ Turkey with the European Union

By Ashish Kumar Sen

The deal reached on March 18 to address Europe’s migrant crisis “reengages” Turkey with the European Union, but is a “questionable deal” for Europe, said the Atlantic Council’s Fran Burwell. “Even more important than the specifics of the negotiation, this deal reengages Turkey with Europe, taking the relationship out of the deep freeze where it had […]

European Union Greece

New Atlanticist

Mar 18, 2016

Can Japan Help End the War in Syria?

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Interview with Kota Suechika of Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto, Japan Japan can use its good relationships with various actors in the Syrian civil war to help end the conflict that this month entered its sixth year, according to Kota Suechika, a professor at the College of International Relations at Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto, Japan. Japan’s […]

Japan Syria

New Atlanticist

Mar 17, 2016

Human Rights, Democratic Reform at the Top of Obama’s Agenda in Cuba, says Susan Rice

By Ashish Kumar Sen

President will make historic visit to Havana on March 20 Human rights and democratic reform will be at the top of US President Barack Obama’s agenda when he visits Cuba next week and meets with Cuban President Raúl Castro as well as civil society leaders of his choosing, and not those handpicked by Havana, according […]

Brazil Colombia

New Atlanticist

Mar 17, 2016

Japan Looks to Seize Opportunity Created by Iran Nuke Deal

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Interview with Yasuyuki Matsunaga of the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s visit to Tehran this summer will send a strong signal that Japan is ready to ramp up its engagement with Iran, according to Yasuyuki Matsunaga of the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies. Japan, which imports most of its energy, […]

Iran Japan

New Atlanticist

Mar 17, 2016

Georgia Looks to Attract US Business

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Deep-sea port contract for US firm, economic development plan could encourage other US companies, says Georgia’s Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze Georgian Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze is hopeful that his government’s decision to award a multibillion dollar contract to a US-based company and a new economic development plan will attract more US firms to Georgia. In […]

Russia The Caucasus

New Atlanticist

Mar 16, 2016

Keeping the Focus on the Democratic Republic of the Congo

By Mitch Hulse

The Obama administration must pay closer attention to developments in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo where President Joseph Kabila is poised to extend his term in violation of constitutional limits, according to Herman J. Cohen, a former US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs. “I fear that the United […]

South & Central Africa

New Atlanticist

Mar 16, 2016

LGBT Rights at the Core of US Human Rights Agenda, says US Special Envoy Berry

By Jonathan Gass

LGBTI rights sit at the very core of the United States’ human rights agenda, and diplomacy, in its many forms, “is an essential tool as we find a path towards greater inclusion,” according to Randy W. Berry, the US State Department’s first-ever Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBTI Persons. Since the United States […]

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