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.

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.

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

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

Jul 26, 2013

US Governance Backbone Needed Now

By Harlan Ullman

Resurrection is a popular metaphor often promiscuously applied to fallen or disgraced athletes, politicians, celebrities and, of course, religion. But few entities are more in need of resurrection than the governance of the United States.

Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Jul 26, 2013

Can Gratitude Improve American Policy in Afghanistan?

By Jeff Lightfoot

General de Gaulle is attributed to have said “Countries have no friends, only interests.” He offered this contribution to international relations theory from his war-time exile in London, where he depended entirely on the hospitality of the British government for the survival of Free France.

Afghanistan Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Jul 26, 2013

The NSA Isn’t the Only One Watching You

By Daveed Gartenstein-Ross

On Wednesday, lawmakers in the House narrowly defeated a measure proposed by Rep. Justin Amash that would have dramatically curtailed the National Security Agency’s ability to collect phone records. While concerns about the breadth of the NSA’s surveillance are far from behind us, privacy advocates will do themselves a grave disservice if the NSA remains the sole […]

Cybersecurity Intelligence

New Atlanticist

Jul 25, 2013

US, China Drift Toward Zero Sum

By Robert A. Manning

For all the soaring rhetoric of the Obama-Xi Summit about the US and China committing to forge a bold, new partnership and avoiding a 1914-like stumbling into conflict, one could be forgiven for thinking the bilateral relationship is lapsing into a “same old, same old” ritualistic diplomacy.

China Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Jul 25, 2013

Bank Leverage Now in EU’s Hands

By Chris Brummer

The ball is in the EU’s court to show just how much international financial coordination will be a race to the top, or to the bottom. Over the last two weeks, US regulators have approved “Basel III” banking regulations that will require banks to increase the amount and quality of capital used to finance their […]

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Jul 25, 2013

Can Senators Handle the Truth on Syria?

By James Joyner

Senators John McCain and Carl Levin have demanded answers from General Martin Dempsey on Syria. Can they handle the truth?

Maritime Security Missile Defense

New Atlanticist

Jul 25, 2013

Freeing Japan

By Julian Lindley-French

Thomas Jefferson once wrote, “I like the dreams of the future, better than the history of the past.” To nowhere does this Jeffersonian aphorism apply more than contemporary Japan. With Sunday’s clear victory of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s Liberal Democratic Party in elections to the Upper House of the Diet, Japan’s parliament, Japan maybe about […]

Germany Indo-Pacific

New Atlanticist

Jul 25, 2013

Mali’s Election: Good enough, but not sufficient

By J. Peter Pham

Nearly a year and a half after a coup brought down its elected government, inadvertently paving the way for the takeover of the northern two-thirds of the country by ethnic separatists temporarily aligned with al-Qaeda’s regional affiliate and other extremists, and seven months after a French-led military intervention turned back the insurgents, scattering the militants […]

Elections Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Jul 24, 2013

China’s Soft Power Deficit in Africa

By Adrienne Chuck

President Barack Obama’s second trip to Sub-Saharan Africa last month was accompanied by criticism and talk of the diminishing American presence and influence on the continent. The media described his trip to Senegal, South Africa, and Tanzania as an effort to “catch up” to or “counter” the influence that China has made in Africa in […]

Africa China

New Atlanticist

Jul 24, 2013

Three Hops and You’re Out

By James Joyner

Revelations that the government’s ability to access American citizens’ phone records without probable cause is much broader than previously contemplated got Congress’ attention last week, drawing rebukes and warnings from both sides of the aisle.

Intelligence National Security

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