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.

Airstrikes will Strengthen ISIS, says Fayyad

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

Feb 12, 2015

Airstrikes will Strengthen ISIS, says Fayyad

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Former Palestinian Authority Prime Minister says root causes must be addressed The ongoing coalition airstrikes against the Islamic State in Iraq and al-Sham will do very little to destroy the militant group and may, in fact, enhance its ability to recruit more fighters, according to Salam Fayyad, a former Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority. […]

Iraq National Security

New Atlanticist

Feb 12, 2015

A ‘Glimmer of Hope’ in Ukraine?

By Ashish Kumar Sen

A new deal that would end the fighting between Ukrainian security forces and Russian-backed separatists is being met with skepticism amid an escalation in the conflict in eastern Ukraine. “This is essentially the same ceasefire that failed before, so I expect the same issues to arise: Kyiv’s control of the border, lack of removal of […]

Russia Ukraine

New Atlanticist

Feb 11, 2015

A setback for democracy in Malaysia?

By HuiHui Ooi

The decision by Malaysia’s highest court to uphold the sodomy conviction of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has raised questions about the intentions of Prime Minister Najib Razak’s administration and whether Malaysia is becoming an illiberal quasi-democracy. The conviction has sparked an uproar in Malaysia. There is widespread belief that Anwar is being politically persecuted and […]

New Atlanticist

Feb 11, 2015

Ukraine’s Fate Hangs in the Balance in Minsk, Once Again

By Ashish Kumar Sen

The leaders of France, Germany, Russia, and Ukraine are meeting in Belarus’ capital Minsk on February 11 to hammer out a deal to end the fighting in eastern Ukraine. The meeting takes place against a backdrop of a worsening conflict as Russian-backed separatists made a push to take new territory and consolidate their strongholds in […]

New Atlanticist

Feb 10, 2015

A Strong Affirmation of Goals, But Short on Commitment of Resources to Diplomacy

By Francis J. Ricciardone

The Obama administration’s new National Security Strategy reflects a consistent American approach to the world, something that continues whether it is a Republican or a Democrat in the White House. The strategy accentuates a positive agenda and a confidence in America’s strength. It is explicit in rejecting fear as our basis for dealing with the […]

National Security Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Feb 9, 2015

US, Germany Seek a United Front on Ukraine

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Differences over arming Ukrainian security forces could vanish if Minsk talks fail, says Atlantic Council’s Burwell The question of providing defensive weapons to Ukraine’s security forces will dominate the meeting between US President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the White House on February 9. The Obama administration is reportedly considering providing the […]

Germany Russia

New Atlanticist

Feb 6, 2015

Our Take on the National Security Strategy

By New Atlanticist

The Obama administration rolled out its second-ever National Security Strategy (NSS) on February 6. Atlantic Council analysts weighed in on the NSS.

National Security Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Feb 6, 2015

What Africa Strategy?

By J. Peter Pham

In the latest National Security Strategy released on February 6, President Obama asserts, “Today, the United States is stronger and better positioned to seize the opportunities of a still new century and safeguard our interests against the risks of an insecure world.” Yet, when specifically addressing Africa, which the President himself in an earlier strategy […]

National Security Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Feb 6, 2015

National Security Strategy 2015: Platitudes R Us

By Robert A. Manning

My first thought upon seeing the long-awaited National Security Strategy was to recall the comments made to me some years ago by a prominent international leader when asked why he said certain things that seemed well beyond his ability to deliver, “Les mots, n’importe pas.” (Words don’t matter). For an administration six years on, its […]

National Security Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Feb 6, 2015

Three Elements of the NSS that Deserve More Attention

By Richard LeBaron

Other than a necessary new focus on the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), the new National Security Strategy is largely consistent with past reports. The document is an important statement of intent, but we can be pretty confident that no one in the US foreign policy apparatus will sleep with it next to […]

National Security Security & Defense

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