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.

Combating Inaction in Europe’s Migrant ‘Crisis’

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

Aug 13, 2015

Combating Inaction in Europe’s Migrant ‘Crisis’

By Alexa Lipke

The tragedy on August 6, when hundreds of migrants drowned after their boat capsized off the coast of Libya, is eerily familiar. It parallels the story of the 800 deaths in April that brought the migrant crisis to the forefront of the political debate in Europe. While media and public interest has ebbed and flowed […]

Europe & Eurasia European Union

New Atlanticist

Aug 12, 2015

Al Qaeda Affiliate Gets Out of the Way in Syria

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Nusra Front’s decision to leave frontlines against ISIS facilitates a US-Turkish agreement on a safe zone in northern Syria, says Atlantic Council’s Faysal Itani By deciding to quit frontline positions against the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) in northern Syria, al Qaeda-affiliate Nusra Front has made a US-Turkish agreement on establishing a safe […]

National Security Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Aug 11, 2015

Afghan Peace Process: DOA?

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Pakistan can do more on terrorist groups, says Atlantic Council Senior Fellow James B. Cunningham Afghan President Ashraf Ghani is right, Pakistan can do more to disrupt terrorist networks that plan and carry out attacks across the border in Afghanistan, says Atlantic Council Senior Fellow James B. Cunningham. A broad spectrum of terrorist and criminal […]

Afghanistan Pakistan

New Atlanticist

Aug 11, 2015

Is Turkey’s War on PKK Hurting US Alliance Against ISIS?

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Atlantic Council’s Francis J. Ricciardone says Turkey is making a distinction between Kurdish groups in Iraq and Syria The US-Turkish alliance against the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) complicates but need not impede, and might even ease, the United States’ military partnership with a Syria-based Kurdish group that has been instrumental in the […]

National Security Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Aug 10, 2015

Will Europe Continue to Stand with the United States if Congress Rejects Iran Nuclear Deal?

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Supporters of nuclear agreement say United States will be ‘worse off’ if Congress rejects agreement A steadfast alliance between United States and Europe—epitomized by a crippling sanctions regime—is widely credited with having brought Iran to the point where it was willing to consider curbs on its nuclear ambitions. But what would happen to that united […]

China European Union

New Atlanticist

Aug 10, 2015

Delivering Energy and the Nuclear Deal with Iran

By Alan Riley

Iran should join the Energy Charter to boost oil flows and reassure the world that it intends to comply with the nuclear deal Iran should join the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT). Joining the ECT, the world’s multilateral energy investment treaty, would encourage greater energy investment flows into Iran leading to a more rapid increase in […]

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

New Atlanticist

Aug 6, 2015

Correcting Obama’s Iran speech

By Matthew Kroenig

Like much political rhetoric, President Barack Obama’s speech in defense of the Iran nuclear deal at American University August 5 contained trenchant insights, but also falsehoods and half-truths. This blog post aims to correct several of the speech’s most erroneous claims. 1. Obama admits the deal doesn’t solve many problems, but he maintains that it […]

Iran National Security

New Atlanticist

Aug 5, 2015

Obama Gives Passionate Defense of Iran Nuclear Deal

By Barbara Slavin

When President Barack Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize shortly after taking office in 2009, he was the first to admit that the honor was premature. Compared to historical giants like Martin Luther King, Jr. and Nelson Mandela, Obama told the Nobel committee, his own accomplishments had been “slight.” But as the first US […]

Iran National Security

New Atlanticist

Jul 31, 2015

In Afghanistan, the Taliban Has a New Leader, But it’s His Deputy Who is Raising Eyebrows

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Haqqani Network leader’s appointment could jeopardize peace process in Afghanistan The appointment of the head of a Pakistan-based terrorist network as a deputy leader of the Taliban may prove to be an obstacle in Afghan-led efforts to make peace with the Islamic militants. While confirming reports of the death of its reclusive one-eyed leader, Mullah […]

Afghanistan Pakistan

New Atlanticist

Jul 30, 2015

Senators Make Case for Lifting Crude Oil Ban

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Atlantic Council report sees America’s energy abundance as an invaluable diplomatic tool A top Republican Senator, making the case that energy must be a significant tool in the US diplomatic toolkit, said July 30 that the United States will be “effectively sanctioning” domestic oil producers if it does not lift its ban on the export […]

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment

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