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.

‘Vague’ Requests for Help Will Hinder Effort to Stabilize Libya

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

Apr 19, 2016

‘Vague’ Requests for Help Will Hinder Effort to Stabilize Libya

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Atlantic Council’s Karim Mezran says new government in Tripoli risks falling into the same trap as its predecessors Vague requests for assistance by the United Nations-backed government in Libya will undermine Western governments’ ability to stabilize the North African nation that has been plunged in chaos since the ouster of its longtime leader Moammar Gadhafi […]

Libya

New Atlanticist

Apr 18, 2016

In Brazil, Is Impeachment the Answer?

By Ashish Kumar Sen

A series of missteps, mismanagement, and misfortunes have brought Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff to the threshold of the fate she now faces: impeachment. “Dilma has been the amateur hour in terms of politics for the last two years,” said Peter Schechter, Director of the Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center. “Every decision that she […]

Brazil

New Atlanticist

Apr 18, 2016

Oil Prices Will Determine Prospects of Deal to Cut Production

By Sara Vakhshouri

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and Russia will only take collective action to reduce their oil production if prices drop to a level at which they can no longer make a profit. That price would be around $25 per barrel. OPEC members and Russia failed to reach an agreement on cutting production at […]

New Atlanticist

Apr 18, 2016

Road to Riyadh: Bridging the Gulf

By Ashish Kumar Sen

The United States must not be neutral in its relationships with its Gulf partners and Iran, says Atlantic Council’s Barry Pavel As US President Barack Obama prepares to attend a summit with Gulf Cooperation Council leaders in Riyadh on April 21, the Atlantic Council’s Barry Pavel has some words of advice: The United States must […]

Iran Saudi Arabia

Bremain vs Brexit

Apr 16, 2016

David Cameron: Brexit and Breakup?

By John M. Roberts

David Cameron is in danger of going down in history as the most disastrous British Prime Minister since Lord North lost the thirteen colonies in the American War of Independence more than 200 years ago. This is not because of his policies on austerity, welfare reform or foreign affairs, but simply because of the constitutional […]

European Union International Organizations

Bremain vs Brexit

Apr 15, 2016

‘Strong Economy and Sense of Unity’ Needed to Address Europe’s Challenges

By Susan Haigh

The European Commission’s economic policy priorities have remained unchanged since last year’s World Bank and International Monetary Fund Spring Meetings; Europe’s political and societal context in which these policies must be implemented, however, has changed fundamentally, according to a European Commission official. The 2016 World Bank and IMF Spring Meetings that bring together financial leaders […]

Europe & Eurasia European Union

New Atlanticist

Apr 15, 2016

Norway’s Foreign Minister: Migrant Crisis Underscores Need to Prevent Fragile States Turning into Failed States

By Ashish Kumar Sen

The migrant crisis straining Europe and security challenges in North Africa and the Middle East have made it imperative for a concerted effort to prevent fragile states from becoming failed states, Norway’s Foreign Minister, Børge Brende, said on April 14. “Never before has security and prosperity in Europe depended so much on security and prosperity […]

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Apr 15, 2016

‘Accountability and Transitional Justice’ Seen Key to Sustained Peace in Syria

By Sarah Wildi

The solution to the situation in Syria should include a comprehensive process for accountability and transitional justice, according to Mazen Darwish, President of the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression. Darwish spoke at an event hosted by the Atlantic Council’s Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East on April 15. Mirette Mabrouk, Acting […]

Syria

New Atlanticist

Apr 15, 2016

Millions in Nigeria are Starving, Warns UN Official

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Boko Haram insurgency seen as main factor in humanitarian crisis Millions of people are starving in northeastern Nigeria and efforts to reach out to Boko Haram—the Islamist militant group directly responsible for their plight—to ensure a space to deliver humanitarian aid have been met by silence, a senior United Nations official said on April 15. […]

Africa

New Atlanticist

Apr 15, 2016

Africa’s ‘Perfect Storm’

By Kelsey Lilley

Opportunity seen to embrace reforms in period of slow growth A combination of rapidly declining commodity prices and an economic downturn in the world’s emerging markets has created a “perfect storm” of economic troubles for African countries, said panelists at an event hosted by the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center on April 14. J. Peter Pham, […]

Africa

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