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.

Obama’s Sunnylands Summit: Does ASEAN Really Matter?

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

Feb 12, 2016

Obama’s Sunnylands Summit: Does ASEAN Really Matter?

By Robert A. Manning

OK, OK, I get the symbolism, but it is a measure of how devalued the language of diplomacy can be that US President Barack Obama would hold an unprecedented summit at Sunnylands in California with ten heads of state whose countries comprise the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to talk of a “strategic partnership.” […]

New Atlanticist

Feb 11, 2016

Libya Remains a Weak Link in Effort to Curb Migrant Flow into Europe

By Ashish Kumar Sen

NATO deploys ships to Aegean Sea to counter human trafficking between Turkey and Greece NATO’s decision to deploy ships to the Aegean Sea in an attempt to deter the smuggling of migrants from Turkey into Greece focuses on just one aspect of the problem; to Europe’s south, in Libya, a well-established human-trafficking network continues to […]

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Feb 11, 2016

President Hassan Rouhani’s Defense Policy

By Abbas Qaidaari

A study of the tensions between the United States and its allies in the region with Iran shows that both sides have misunderstood and miscalculated their defense policies and strategies in the Middle East. Many Western critics do not understand the basis and distinguishing features of the Rouhani government’s strategy. Based on general policies of […]

Iran

New Atlanticist

Feb 11, 2016

Questions to Consider as NATO Responds to Migrant Crisis

By Steven Horrell

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg’s February 11 announcement that NATO has agreed to a proposal from Germany, Greece, and Turkey to assist with the refugee and migrant crisis in the eastern Mediterranean and Aegean Seas is an important response to a refugee crisis that has enormous implications for Europe. NATO’s naval response, however, opens up […]

European Union Greece

New Atlanticist

Feb 10, 2016

Could China Use Force to Settle Taiwan Sovereignty Issue?

By Mitch Hulse

China-Taiwan relations have warmed significantly as a consequence of increased economic interdependence, but some analysts believe that Beijing may ultimately use force to settle the issue of Taiwan’s sovereignty. The election in January of Taiwan’s first female President, Tsai Ing-wen, who leads the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party, has been viewed warily by Beijing. Soon after […]

China

New Atlanticist

Feb 9, 2016

Saudi Offer to Deploy Troops to Syria ‘Turns the Tables’ on the United States

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Plan seen taking heat off Gulf Arab states over role in war on ISIS, putting onus on the United States to do more Saudi Arabia’s offer to deploy ground troops to fight the Islamic State in Syria is seen as putting pressure on the Obama administration—which has been urging its Arab Gulf partners to ramp […]

Iran Russia

New Atlanticist

Feb 8, 2016

China Pays the Price for North Korea’s Belligerence

By Robert A. Manning

North Korea’s fourth nuclear test followed by a ballistic missile launch have ominous implications—a North Korea in possession of miniaturized warheads and a delivery system. These developments have rattled nerves and escalated tensions in Northeast Asia. The outrage over North Korea’s flagrant violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions has reverberated worldwide, yet China, North […]

China Korea

New Atlanticist

Feb 4, 2016

Turning COP21’s Vision into Reality

By Mitch Hulse

International partnerships, technological innovation, addressing cybersecurity challenges seen as critical to realization of environmental goals International partnerships, technological innovation, and addressing cybersecurity challenges will be key to turning a global commitment to clean energy into reality, according to a senior US energy official. More than 190 nations agreed to curb rising global temperatures through carbon […]

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment

New Atlanticist

Feb 3, 2016

Colombia’s President Santos Faces Next Big Challenge—Selling His Peace Deal

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Leader describes peace deal with leftist FARC rebels as an ‘irreversible moment’ Colombia’s President, Juan Manuel Santos, wholeheartedly believes that his attempt to end the Western Hemisphere’s longest-running war will bear fruit, the big challenge, however, will be convincing Colombians that “peace is going to be marvelous.” “Most Colombians have never seen one single day […]

Colombia Latin America

New Atlanticist

Feb 3, 2016

Rallying the Transatlantic Community Toward a Greater Purpose

By Damon Wilson

A new era of US leadership can lead an effort to help adapt, revitalize, and defend an international order that advances security, democratic governance, and prosperity, says Atlantic Council’s Damon Wilson Europe is in crisis. The continent today faces a confluence of crises far more profound than most realize. As a result, the United States […]

European Union France

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