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
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

Jun 30, 2016

Brexit + European Energy Union = ?

By Thomas Cunningham

Brexit strikes a blow to the solidarity principle at the heart of the EU Energy Union project It is impossible to make a full assessment of the implications of the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union on the European Energy Union because there is uncertainty associated with both the so-called Brexit and the European […]

Energy & Environment European Union

Bremain vs Brexit

Jun 30, 2016

Brexit is a Win for Putin

By John E. Herbst

A vote for Brexit is a big win for Russia’s foreign policy. Moscow has made no secret of its desire to upend the post-Cold War settlement in Europe. Russian President Vladimir Putin and other senior Russian officials have regularly said that there will be new rules for global order or no rules. They insist that […]

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Jun 30, 2016

NATO Must Stick to its Guns on its Eastern Flank

By Lauren Speranza

As its summit in Warsaw approaches, NATO is bolstering defenses on its eastern flank, increasing military presence, improving infrastructure, and conducting military exercises. While praised in some circles, NATO’s actions have also drawn criticism. German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier has accused the Alliance of “warmongering” and ratcheting up tensions with Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin […]

NATO Russia

Bremain vs Brexit

Jun 30, 2016

Why a Brexit May Not Happen

By Anders Åslund

British support for taking the United Kingdom out of the European Union came as a tremendous shock to the world. Global financial markets were roiled for two days after the June 23 referendum. A few days later, however, questions have been raised about whether the UK would actually leave the European Union. It now appears […]

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Jun 30, 2016

TTIP Will ‘Survive’ Brexit

By Mitch Hulse

The effort to conclude a transatlantic trade deal will continue despite the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union, according to the European Union’s top trade official. “There are a lot of uncertainties related to Brexit and we will have to wait and see the clearer picture. But for now and for the immediate […]

Economy & Business Elections

New Atlanticist

Jun 29, 2016

It’s Time to Scrap the Minsk Agreement

By David J. Kramer

Editor’s Note: On June 22, Ambassador John Herbst and David Kramer debated whether we should bury the Minsk agreement, the troubled ceasefire agreement in Ukraine, at an Atlantic Council event in Washington, DC. Their remarks have been adapted from the debate. The Minsk ceasefire agreement, signed February 15, 2015, by the leaders of Russia, Ukraine, […]

Germany OSCE

New Atlanticist

Jun 28, 2016

NAFTA Seen Key to Preserving US-Mexico Relationship

By Mitch Hulse

It would be a disaster to cut trade relations with Mexico, three former US officials said at the Atlantic Council on June 27. Donald Trump, the Republican Party’s presumptive presidential nominee, has pledged to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which enables trade between the United States, Canada, and Mexico. In a speech […]

Colombia Economy & Business

Bremain vs Brexit

Jun 28, 2016

Atlantic Council Report Advocates Troop Buildup in Europe in Response to Russian Threat

By Ashish Kumar Sen

NATO must respond to threats from Russia by permanently stationing troops in the Baltic States, Poland, and the Black Sea region, according to a new Atlantic Council report. “These are clearly modest—in terms of the troop commitments—measures designed to stabilize the alliance, protect our smaller allies in the east, and do what the NATO alliance […]

European Union International Organizations

Bremain vs Brexit

Jun 28, 2016

Africa and Brexit: Not All Bad News

By J. Peter Pham

Amid the global political and economic turmoil in the wake of last week’s narrow decision by British voters in favor of taking their country out of the European Union, there has been no shortage of alarm about the potential toll of “Brexit” on Africa in terms of diminished trade, investment, and assistance. While there will […]

Africa

Bremain vs Brexit

Jun 28, 2016

With Brexit Looming, United States Advised to Forge Ties with Germany, the UK

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Germany has economic and political dominance in Europe, said Atlantic Council board member R. Nicholas Burns In light of the British decision to leave the European Union, US President Barack Obama and his successor must forge a closer bond with Germany and shore up the “special relationship” with the United Kingdom, said R. Nicholas Burns, […]

European Union Germany

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