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.

Will Mullah Omar’s Death Doom Peace Process?

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

New Atlanticist

Jul 29, 2015

Will Mullah Omar’s Death Doom Peace Process?

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Atlantic Council’s James B. Cunningham says questions already being raised about authority of Afghan militants’ representatives Taliban leader Mullah Omar’s death could call into question the Taliban’s leadership and undermine the Afghan government’s efforts to jumpstart a peace process with the militant group, says the Atlantic Council’s James B. Cunningham. The Taliban July 30 confirmed […]

Afghanistan Pakistan

New Atlanticist

Jul 29, 2015

Bosnian Fault Lines

By Peter Sattler

Bosnia-Herzegovina’s European orientation should not be taken for granted. While the European Union and Bosnia may want closer ties, growing tensions between Sarajevo and the subnational entity Republika Srpska, as well as enduring and pervasive corruption, pose serious challenges to Bosnia’s legitimacy. Safeguarding Bosnia’s European orientation will require Sarajevo and its transatlantic partners to curb […]

The Balkans

New Atlanticist

Jul 29, 2015

China Loses in Battle with Spartans

By Samantha Juster

It was quite a sight: 100 shirtless men dressed as Spartans parading down the streets of Sanlitun, Beijing’s foremost bar and expat district, in order to promote the first anniversary of the salad restaurant Sweetie Salad. Sadly, the parade did not end well. The men, almost all of them tall, muscular Westerners, were arrested for […]

China

New Atlanticist

Jul 28, 2015

Courting Chaos in Libya

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Death sentences for Gadhafi’s son, eight others, another bad move by Tripoli, says Atlantic Council’s Karim Mezran The decision by a Tripoli court to sentence a son of late Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi to death by firing squad is the latest in a series of “self-defeating maneuvers” by authorities in Libya’s capital, says the Atlantic […]

Libya

New Atlanticist

Jul 27, 2015

Turkey’s War in Syria: Of Kurds and Ways

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Deal envisages creation of ‘safe zone’ in Syria, allows US jets to use Turkish base A landmark agreement between the United States and Turkey—that allows US jets to use a Turkish air base to launch strikes against Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) militants and envisages the creation of a “safe zone” in war-ravaged […]

Syria Turkey

New Atlanticist

Jul 24, 2015

Japan’s Energy Strategy for a Post-Fukushima World

By Anand Raghuraman

In June, Japanese energy officials released an eagerly anticipated draft report outlining plans for the country’s 2030 energy mix. Here’s the proposed breakdown:

Japan

New Atlanticist

Jul 23, 2015

Obama’s ‘Most Strategic Itinerary’ in Africa

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Atlantic Council’s J. Peter Pham says President has important reasons to visit Kenya and Ethiopia US President Barack Obama’s decision to visit Kenya and Ethiopia this week underscores the strategic significance of these two sub-Saharan nations to the United States, says the Atlantic Council’s top Africa analyst. Obama arrives in Kenya, his late father’s homeland, […]

Africa East Africa

New Atlanticist

Jul 23, 2015

Mexico’s Inaugural Bid Round: What Happened and What’s Next?

By David Goldwyn and Cory Gill

On July 15, 2015, Mexico announced the results of the first phase of “Round One,” or a series of auctions providing foreign companies access to oil and gas acreage after over seventy-five years of state control of upstream exploration and production. Only two of the fourteen shallow water blocks on offer were awarded—far below the […]

Mexico

New Atlanticist

Jul 22, 2015

Nigerian President Slams US Law

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Buhari says legislation that curbs US military aid is abetting Boko Haram insurgency Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari—at war with Boko Haram militants at home—in a July 22 address in Washington lashed out at US laws that ban the sale of weapons to foreign militaries accused of human rights violations saying such restrictions have only aided […]

Economy & Business Nigeria

New Atlanticist

Jul 22, 2015

Communications, Public Diplomacy, and National Security

By Mark Seip

Part One: Understanding the evolution of audiences (Note: This article is taken from a forthcoming report by the Atlantic Council on public diplomacy and its role in national security due to be released this fall.) Much has been written about public diplomacy in the 21st century and its need to evolve. In order to do […]

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