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.

The Killings in Paris: A Shocking ‘New Normal’

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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Dive deep into developing stories, guided by continually updated expert analysis that leaves you better informed about the most pressing global issues behind the headlines.

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New Atlanticist

Jan 7, 2015

The Killings in Paris: A Shocking ‘New Normal’

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Only Deep Changes in Middle East Will End the New Strain of Terrorism, Atlantic Council’s Pavel Says The killing by masked gunmen of at least a dozen journalists and others in Paris is an “unfortunate new normal” in an era marked by Islamist extremism’s Generation 3.0—a strain more virulent than that of al Qaeda, according to […]

France Middle East

New Atlanticist

Jan 7, 2015

A Troubling New Obstacle for Syrians Fleeing War

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Lebanon’s Restriction on Entry Sets ‘Significant Precedent,’ Atlantic Council’s Itani Says This week’s decision by the Lebanese government to impose visa restrictions on Syrians fleeing a bloody civil war is “quite dramatic” and sets a “significant precedent” for Syria’s neighbors, which are struggling to care for masses of refugees, according to Faysal Itani, resident fellow […]

Middle East Syria

New Atlanticist

Jan 6, 2015

Mexico’s President Visits Washington; He and US Hope He Can Regain Initiative at Home

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Peña Nieto, Hit By Scandal, Aims to Show Mexicans the Benefits of his Economic Reforms Before Mid-Year Election Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto visits the United States in the midst of the toughest moment of his presidency. He will hope to use his meeting with President Barack Obama today to advance his domestic agenda, according […]

Mexico

New Atlanticist

Jan 5, 2015

Another Greek Crisis for Europe? Not This Time…

By Frances G. Burwell

Europe Will Sustain Slow Economic Growth—and Can Strengthen its Monetary Union by Boosting its Credibility The new year brings a fresh political crisis in Greece, with its unexpected election. Nonetheless, Europe has a serious chance to build the greater cohesion in its monetary union that can help avoid future crises and work toward better economic […]

Europe & Eurasia European Union

New Atlanticist

Dec 23, 2014

Nigeria’s Finance Minister on How Falling Oil Prices Impact on Africa’s Biggest Economy

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Nigeria is surprised by a US decision to slash oil imports from Africa’s top petroleum producer, but is eager to deepen its economic relationship with the US in other areas, according to Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria’s finance and economy minister.

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

New Atlanticist

Dec 23, 2014

United States should discourage “patriotic hackers” from attacking North Korea

By New Atlanticist

Atlantic Council Analysts Say No Easy Response for US to Sony Cyber Attack North Korea’s Internet outage this week could be the work of “good ol’ American patriotic hackers,” according to Jason Healey, director of the Atlantic Council’s Cyber Statecraft Initiative. North Korea’s Internet service appeared to be working again on December 23 following a […]

Cybersecurity Korea

New Atlanticist

Dec 22, 2014

Europe-Turkey Tensions Rise as Russia Seeks Partnership with Ankara

By Pınar Dost-Niyego

Three recent events in and around Turkey raise concerns about this country’s direction for the United States and its European allies.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

New Atlanticist

Dec 20, 2014

US Faces Tough Challenge in Responding to North Korean Cyber Attack

By New Atlanticist

‘Proportionate’ Response Will Be Hard to Shape, Atlantic Council’s Jason Healey Says The US government faces a tough challenge in determining how to fulfil President Obama’s promise to “respond proportionately” to North Korea’s cyber attack on Sony Pictures, according to Atlantic Council analyst Jason Healey. “What this really means for now is that the administration […]

Cybersecurity East Asia

New Atlanticist

Dec 19, 2014

South Sudan Peace Talks ‘Going Nowhere,’ Says Atlantic Council Expert

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Peace talks aimed at ending South Sudan’s civil war are ‘going nowhere’ because the process is mostly led by countries that are party to the conflict, according to Dr. J. Peter Pham, director of the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center.

East Africa

New Atlanticist

Dec 18, 2014

US Cuba Shift Was Presaged by Poll Showing Americans Were Ready for Change

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Relations with Cuba No Longer ‘The Poisoned Chalice,’ Atlantic Council Analysis Showed President Barack Obama’s sweeping changes to US-Cuba policy were at least in part influenced by an understanding that this was widely favored among the American people. The Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center released a poll in February that found support on […]

Cuba

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