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.

Obama’s Goldilocks Syria Plan

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.

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Obama’s Goldilocks Syria Plan

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

Obama’s Goldilocks Syria Plan

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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New Atlanticist

Sep 11, 2013

Obama’s Goldilocks Syria Plan

By James Joyner

In a speech to the nation, President Obama warned that if the United States does not launch a punitive strike against Syria, Iran will pursue nuclear weapons, Al Qaeda will try to kill Americans, and bad men will do bad things.

Syria

New Atlanticist

Sep 11, 2013

Fall of Our Discontent

By Harlan Ullman

On this anniversary of the attacks that leveled the Twin Towers in New York and part of the Pentagon a dozen years ago, a long, hot and wet summer in Washington risks metastasizing into a “Fall of Discontent.” Syria is the most incandescent and looming issue underscored by U.S. President Barack Obama’s speech last week. […]

United States and Canada

New Atlanticist

Sep 11, 2013

Eye on Syria: President Obama Addresses the American People

Tuesday night, President Obama addressed the American public — and the world — live from the East Room of the White House on the crisis in Syria. Some of his comments were recaps of statements made over the previous few weeks. The full text of the speech with video is available below as well as […]

Syria

New Atlanticist

Sep 11, 2013

Initial Reactions from Council Experts on President Obama’s Remarks on Syria

After watching President Obama’s speech Tuesday night, some of the Atlantic Council’s experts weighed in with initial reactions.

Syria

New Atlanticist

Sep 11, 2013

The Syrian Pause Leads to a More Dangerous World

By Barry Pavel

President Obama has now turned the world’s attention to diplomatic efforts focused on requiring Assad and the Syrian military to hand over all of its chemical weapons to international control for “ultimate destruction,” as the President stated.  As these activities continue to play out over the next days and weeks, a few strategic outcomes already […]

Syria

New Atlanticist

Sep 11, 2013

President Obama’s Address on Syria

Tuesday evening, President Obama made a primetime address on Syria. The full text of his remarks are below the video.

Syria

New Atlanticist

Sep 11, 2013

President Obama to Address the Nation in Prime Time

JOIN THE LIVE CHAT VISIT WHITEHOUSE.GOV

Syria

New Atlanticist

Sep 10, 2013

Europe, Syria, and the Crisis of Global Governance

By Julian Lindley-French

The Riga Conference is a highlight in my annual calendar and an antidote to the eternal self-obsessed ‘westerneuropeanitis’ which passes for strategy in Europe these days.  Sharing a platform with the Belgian, British and Latvian defense ministers I fulfilled my now traditional role as Europe’s strategic hooligan.  Dangerously I also sent my first tweet – […]

Europe & Eurasia Syria

New Atlanticist

Sep 10, 2013

Smart Wars Don’t Need Selling

By James Joyner

President Obama is pulling out all stops in a thus-far failing bid to convince the American people and their representatives in Congress to back military action in Syria.

Syria

New Atlanticist

Sep 9, 2013

Eye on Syria: Syria Accepts Russian Plan

News Obama Interviews on Syria: Three-Minute Summary, Washington Post ABC CBS Evening News CNN Fox News NBC Nightly News PBS Newshour Charlie Rose Interview with Bashar al-Assad, PBS Syria Accepts Russian Proposal on Weapons; France to Bring Resolution to Security Council, Washington PostAn unexpected Russian proposal for Syria to avert a US military strike by […]

Syria
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