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.

How the US and the Philippines should counter Beijing’s aggression in the South China Sea

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

Stay updated

Explore our unique analysis

Fast Thinking

When major global news breaks, the Atlantic Council’s experts have you covered—delivering their sharpest rapid insight and forward-looking analysis direct to your inbox.

Experts React

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.

Markup

Our experts decipher and annotate major speeches and policy documents to break down big ideas and lay them out in plain language.

New Atlanticist

Oct 15, 2024

How the US and the Philippines should counter Beijing’s aggression in the South China Sea

By Elizabeth Freund Larus and James Rice

Washington, Manila, and their Indo-Pacific allies must work together to counter China’s maritime aggression in Philippine waters.

China
Indo-Pacific

New Atlanticist

Oct 15, 2024

Advancing a twenty-first century approach to remittances

By Alisha Chhangani, Ananya Kumar

Valued at nearly $900 billion each year, global remittances have become a large portion of many nations’ gross domestic product. But transaction costs remain too high—a problem that policymakers should tackle at upcoming meetings in Washington and Rio de Janeiro.

Africa
Americas

New Atlanticist

Oct 15, 2024

The EU has an agenda for sustainable prosperity. It’s worth a read on this side of the Atlantic, too.

By Annika Hedberg

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s recent unveiling of her commissioners-designate reveals what efforts the European Union might bring to address climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss over the next five years.

Economy & Business
European Union

New Atlanticist

Oct 11, 2024

Dispatch from Moldova: With elections approaching, Moscow is taking aim at Chișinău’s pro-European path

By Shelby Magid

Russian influence campaigns are working to sway votes ahead of the October 20 election, which will include a referendum on enshrining EU membership as a goal in Moldova’s constitution.

Elections
Moldova

New Atlanticist

Oct 11, 2024

Senator Mark Warner on the top five risks for the next administration to watch

By Katherine Golden

At an Atlantic Council Front Page event, the senator outlined those risks, ranging from competition with China to the ongoing crisis in Venezuela.

Artificial Intelligence
China

New Atlanticist

Oct 9, 2024

If the Middle East conflict gets worse, don’t hesitate to tap the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve

By Joseph Webster

While reserve inventories are at their lowest absolute levels in decades, the stockpile is very well-placed to meet its mission due to increased US oil production.

Conflict
Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Oct 9, 2024

European defense industrial woes need a transatlantic remedy

By Kristen Taylor, Luka Ignac

To ensure its security, the European Union should collaborate more closely with the United States on defense industrial production.

Conflict
Defense Industry

New Atlanticist

Oct 9, 2024

Germany has committed to improving its defense. Its budget needs to reflect this.

By Ian Cameron

Without a long-term shift in Berlin’s mindset on defense, even Germany’s most promising defense projects won’t reach their full potential.

Defense Industry
Defense Policy

China in Europe

Oct 4, 2024

Five questions (and expert answers) about the EU’s divided support for tariffs on Chinese EVs

By Atlantic Council experts

The European Union adopted tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, but the vote revealed divisions among member states on the bloc’s approach to Beijing.

China
Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Oct 4, 2024

China’s lobbying did not block the EU’s new EV tariffs. But it may yet weaken them.

By Matt Geraci

The European Union voted on October 4 to increase tariffs on Chinese battery electric vehicles, but this is just the beginning—especially if Beijing gets its way.

China
Digital Policy

Share

Issue briefs and reports