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

May 12, 2016

Give (Arab) Peace (Initiative) a Chance

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Deal would elevate Arab-Israeli cooperation to take on challenges posed by ISIS, Iran, says Atlantic Council’s Bilal Y. Saab In the absence of a credible Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement, Gulf Arab states and Israel will find it hard to elevate their security cooperation to deal with the threats posed by Iran and the Islamic State of […]

Israel Saudi Arabia

Bremain vs Brexit

May 11, 2016

Brexit Could Lead to ‘Dismembering’ of the European Union

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Former US national security advisors, Stephen J. Hadley and Thomas E. Donilon, warn against the UK leaving the EU A British exit from the European Union would weaken the United Kingdom, likely unravel the EU by setting off a “cascade of referendums,” and endanger US national security interests, two former US national security advisors said […]

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

May 11, 2016

Chuck Hagel to Next US President: Talk to Putin

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Former Defense Secretary warns against ‘Cold War buildup’ as NATO deploys in Europe’s eastern flank As it ramps up its troop presence in Europe’s eastern flank, NATO must be careful not to get embroiled in a “Cold War buildup” with Russia, and the next US president must make it a priority to engage directly with […]

NATO Russia

New Atlanticist

May 9, 2016

Saudi Energy Policies Unlikely to Shift Under New Minister

By Sara Vakhshouri

Saudi Arabia’s energy policies are unlikely to change despite the fact that longtime energy minister, Ali al-Naimi, was removed on May 7 and Khalid al-Falih appointed as his successor. There has already been much speculation and concern about the kingdom’s energy policies under King Salman. Questions about the future of Saudi Arabia’s oil policies are […]

Saudi Arabia

New Atlanticist

May 6, 2016

Why NATO Allies Should Be Worried About the Scottish Elections

By John Johnston

NATO partners must take a closer look at the defense policies of Scottish political parties in the wake of the Scottish National Party’s historic election victory on May 5 and its leader’s declaration that she reserves the right to hold a second independence referendum if the United Kingdom leaves the European Union “against our will.” […]

NATO Nuclear Nonproliferation

New Atlanticist

May 6, 2016

How Ukraine Can Solve Its Local Election Conundrum

By John E. Herbst

Even when it is effective, diplomacy can be an unsightly business. Perhaps nothing illustrates this better than that ugly, illegitimate child of Mother Russia’s war in Ukraine: the Minsk agreements. In recent months, Germany and France have been pressing Ukraine to pass a local elections law as the basis for holding elections in the Donetsk People’s Republic […]

Ukraine

New Atlanticist

May 5, 2016

A ‘Steady March to Authoritarianism’ in Turkey

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Atlantic Council’s Aaron Stein says prime minister’s resignation will heighten political polarization Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu’s decision to resign following disagreements with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will heighten political polarization inside Turkey, said the Atlantic Council’s Aaron Stein. “Half the country views this as, to use their language, a palace coup. There are real […]

Turkey

Bremain vs Brexit

May 4, 2016

Brexit Would Have a ‘Dramatic Effect’ on the West’s Stability

By Ashish Kumar Sen

George Robertson, former NATO Secretary General, says Europe’s role in the world is at stake The United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union would have a “dramatic effect” on the stability of the West, warned Lord George Robertson, who has served as Secretary General of NATO as well as the United Kingdom’s Defence Minister. British […]

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

May 4, 2016

Greenpeace Leak Creates Confusion, Not Clarity, on TTIP

By Danielle Leopold

Atlantic Council’s Andrea Montanino warns against reading too much into leaked negotiation papers Greenpeace’s decision to leak 248 classified documents related to the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) negotiations only creates more confusion rather than contributing to an understanding of the complex process, according to the Atlantic Council’s Andrea Montanino. By leaking the documents, […]

Economy & Business European Union

New Atlanticist

May 4, 2016

US Middle East Policy Must Include Allies and Adversaries

By Danielle Leopold

A sustainable US Middle East policy should include closer cooperation with longstanding allies—including the United Kingdom and France—but also a strategic dialogue with adversaries such as Russia and China, according to Bilal Y. Saab, a Senior Fellow for Middle East Security at the Atlantic Council’s Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security. In light of the […]

International Organizations Politics & Diplomacy

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