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.

Armenia’s (Rigged) Constitutional Referendum

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

Dec 22, 2015

Armenia’s (Rigged) Constitutional Referendum

By David Grigorian

A heavily rigged constitutional referendum that transforms Armenia into a parliamentary form of governance only serves to extend the rule of President Serzh Sargsyan who, nearing the end of his second and final term in office, is more than likely to be appointed Prime Minister. It is not clear where the vote’s outcome leaves the […]

Russia The Caucasus

New Atlanticist

Dec 22, 2015

Russia’s Intervention in Syria Biggest Story in 2015

By Ashish Kumar Sen

But Putin’s growing problems will dominate 2016, says Atlantic Council’s John E. Herbst As 2015 draws to a close, our experts take a look back at the year that was and look ahead to 2016. This interview is part of a series. John E. Herbst is the Director of the Atlantic Council’s Dinu Patriciu Eurasia […]

Russia Ukraine

New Atlanticist

Dec 22, 2015

Stumbling Into Sensibility: How America Got a Sensible Energy and Environment Policy Despite Our Political Polarization

By David L. Goldwyn

After a year of posturing and polarization, President Barack Obama and Congress have agreed on measures that will strategically alter and enhance the US energy system and global energy security. Winston Churchill’s supposed adage that Americans always do the right thing, after exhausting all the alternatives, was never truer. The key measures that have set […]

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment

New Atlanticist

Dec 22, 2015

Libya’s Peace Deal Will Need Western Support to Succeed

By Ashish Kumar Sen

A UN-brokered Libya peace agreement is hamstrung by security challenges, the uncertainty that it may actually end up producing a third power center in a country that already has two rival governments, and questions about whether the envisaged national unity government would even be able to operate from Tripoli. But these challenges are not insurmountable. […]

Libya

New Atlanticist

Dec 22, 2015

Nord Stream 2: Downgrading Europe’s Security of Supply Where it Matters

By Nolan Theisen

Nord Stream 2 is the latest Russian incarnation intended to bypass Ukraine and bring Russian gas directly to Europe’s borders. It would double the existing Nord Stream capacity to 110 billion cubic meters/year with two additional strings between Russia and Germany under the Baltic Sea. In spite of a recently signed shareholders agreement between Russian […]

New Atlanticist

Dec 22, 2015

2016 Can Be a ‘Turning Point’ for Europe

By Ashish Kumar Sen

US investors hope Europe can return to a sustainable growth path, says Atlantic Council’s Andrea Montanino As 2015 draws to a close, our experts take a look back at the year that was and look ahead to 2016. This interview is part of a series. Andrea Montanino is the Director of the Atlantic Council’s Global […]

European Union Greece

New Atlanticist

Dec 21, 2015

Why Americans Should Worry About Marine Le Pen

By Leo Michel

It’s time to ask a hard question: What would it mean for US interests if Marine Le Pen, leader of France’s far-right National Front party, were to capture the French presidency in the spring of 2017? Short answer: this is one “French Connection” that most Americans won’t like, and shouldn’t encourage.

France

New Atlanticist

Dec 21, 2015

Collapse of States Had Implications Beyond the Middle East in 2015

By Ashish Kumar Sen

In 2016, it will be important to see if the United States and Russia can work together to end conflicts, says Atlantic Council’s Francis J. Ricciardone As 2015 draws to a close, our experts take a look back at the year that was and look ahead to 2016. This interview is part of a series. […]

Middle East Russia

New Atlanticist

Dec 18, 2015

Islamist Militant Groups Cast Deadly Shadow Over Africa in 2015

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Boko Haram deadlier than ISIS, says Atlantic Council’s J. Peter Pham As 2015 draws to a close, our experts take a look back at the year that was and look ahead to 2016. This interview is part of a series.J. Peter Pham is the Director of the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center.

Africa

New Atlanticist

Dec 18, 2015

Ending Syria’s War Will Require All Hands on Deck

By Ashish Kumar Sen

The United States and Russia will have to cooperate, says former Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy Nabil Fahmy served as Egypt’s Foreign Minister from 2013 to 2014. In this interview with the New Atlanticist’s Ashish Kumar Sen, Fahmy makes the point that the United States, Russia, the Arab states, Iran and Turkey will all need […]

Iran North Africa

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