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.

Transatlantic Relationship ‘Not an Optional Alliance,’ Says German President

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

Stay updated

Explore our unique analysis

Fast Thinking

When major global news breaks, the Atlantic Council’s experts have you covered—delivering their sharpest rapid insight and forward-looking analysis direct to your inbox.

Experts React

Dive deep into developing stories, guided by continually updated expert analysis that leaves you better informed about the most pressing global issues behind the headlines.

Markup

Our experts decipher and annotate major speeches and policy documents to break down big ideas and lay them out in plain language.

New Atlanticist

Nov 5, 2015

Transatlantic Relationship ‘Not an Optional Alliance,’ Says German President

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Joachim Gauck calls for greater US engagement with Europe On a recent visit to the United States, German President Joachim Gauck delivered an impassioned plea for the revitalization of the transatlantic relationship, describing it as “not an optional alliance,” but rather an “essential strategic alliance.” He also called for far greater US engagement with Europe […]

Germany

New Atlanticist

Nov 5, 2015

The Transatlantic Internet: A New Geo-Economic Frontline

By Tyson Barker

For almost a generation, the US-EU Safe Harbor agreement has been the transatlantic digital passport that allowed 4,400 US tech companies to provide services to Europe’s 500 million consumers. But an Oct. 6 decision by the European Court of Justice — the EU’s Supreme Court — smashed that little-known, but extremely important fifteen-year-old agreement and […]

Europe & Eurasia European Union

New Atlanticist

Nov 4, 2015

‘Please Be Patient’

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Leader of Tunisia’s Nobel-winning labor union says international pressure on his country to undertake reforms is unhelpful The international community must be patient and recognize that Tunisia is undergoing a delicate transition instead of applying unrealistic pressure on the North African nation to undertake reforms, Hussein Abassi, the leader of Tunisia’s powerful labor union and […]

North Africa

New Atlanticist

Nov 3, 2015

Why didn’t the GCC publicly oppose the Iran deal?

By Matthew Kroenig

If the Arab Gulf states are opposed to the Iran nuclear deal, why didn’t they publicly speak out against it? This was perhaps the most interesting and contentious point of discussion on the first day of the second annual Abu Dhabi Strategic Debate on November 1. Make no mistake; the lack of public opposition is […]

Iran Nuclear Nonproliferation

New Atlanticist

Nov 3, 2015

Common Ground Between Russia, Iran, and the Arab States

By Faysal Itani

I attended the Emirates Policy Center’s second Abu Dhabi Strategic Debate on Nov. 1. The event brought together policymakers, former officials, academics, and analysts from the Middle East and elsewhere. The content covered a range of geographies and themes, but the debates that centered on the Syrian conflict and the roles of Iran, Russia, the […]

New Atlanticist

Nov 2, 2015

An Opportunity for Peace in Turkey

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Victory of President Erdoğan’s party presents an opportunity to restart peace talks with Kurdish terrorists, says Atlantic Council’s Aaron Stein The victory of Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in the Nov. 1 election has created an opportunity to restart peace talks with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) terrorists, said the Atlantic Council’s Aaron […]

Turkey

New Atlanticist

Nov 2, 2015

In Turkey, President Erdoğan Prevails

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Formation of a new government a “strong plus” for Turkey’s relations with the United States, says Atlantic Council’s Francis J. Ricciardone Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) pulled off an unexpected victory in parliamentary elections on Nov. 1 that gives it enough seats to govern by itself. The result marked a […]

Turkey

New Atlanticist

Oct 30, 2015

China’s Two-Child Policy: Too Little, Too Late?

By Alex Renner

In 2013, China’s Communist Party (CCP) shocked the mainland by announcing that it was loosening restrictions on the “One-Child” policy that had managed the growth of China’s population since 1980. The new policy allowed for a second child if one parent was an only child. The news was greeted warmly by the population. In October, […]

China

New Atlanticist

Oct 30, 2015

A ‘Band-Aid’ for Syria

By Ashish Kumar Sen

US decision to deploy Special Operations Forces will not change situation significantly, says Atlantic Council’s Frederic C. Hof The Obama administration’s decision to deploy less than fifty US Special Operations Forces to Syria is a significant shift in US strategy, but one that is unlikely to tilt the balance on the ground in a war […]

Syria

New Atlanticist

Oct 30, 2015

Wanted: A ‘Comprehensive Strategy’ to Deal with Russia

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Georgian Foreign Minister says Western ‘passivity’ encourages Moscow, discourages regional countries The West needs to develop a “comprehensive strategy” to counter Russian authoritarianism and support Georgia’s aspiration of joining NATO, Georgian Vice Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Giorgi Kvirikashvili, said at the Atlantic Council on Oct. 29. “Western passivity in the face of Russian aggression […]

The Caucasus

Share

Issue briefs and reports