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.

Obama Visit to Israel Key Link in Redesign of US Foreign 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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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

Mar 26, 2013

Obama Visit to Israel Key Link in Redesign of US Foreign Policy

By Sarwar Kashmeri

It would be a mistake to view President Obama’s visit to Israel as just a fence-mending exercise. It is in fact part of a planned redesign of U.S. foreign policy that will change the face of American leadership around the world.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Mar 26, 2013

No, Cyberwarfare Isn’t as Dangerous as Nuclear War

By Jason Healey

America does not face an existential cyberthreat today, despite recent warnings. Our cyber vulnerabilities are undoubtedly grave and the threats we face are severe but far from comparable to nuclear war.

Cybersecurity National Security

New Atlanticist

Mar 25, 2013

Xi’s Kissinger Move

By Julian Lindley-French

At the start of his historic visit to Russia last week newly-installed Chinese President Xi Jingping said that the “two countries spoke a common language.” If America sees itself as the indispensable global pivot China clearly has the ambition to become the other global pivot in a new bipolar order.

China

New Atlanticist

Mar 25, 2013

What Xi Sees in Africa

By Peter Pham

Just days after completing his ascent by adding the state presidency to his posts as Communist Party general secretary and Central Military Commission chairman, Xi Jinping has embarked on his first trip overseas as China’s top leader, a journey that includes a week in Africa, with stops in Tanzania, South Africa, and the Republic of […]

Africa China

New Atlanticist

Mar 22, 2013

Israeli Apology to Turkey Big First Step But Not Sea Change

By Ross Wilson

Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu phoned Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on March 22 to apologize for the May 2010 Mavi Marmara incident and move toward normalizing bilateral relations that have been in the deep freeze since June 2010. President Obama clearly played a direct role in orchestrating the call that took place as […]

Turkey

New Atlanticist

Mar 22, 2013

Russo-Chinese Energy Relations: Never-ending Foreplay?

By David Koranyi

As the officially anointed Chinese President Xi Jinping is on his first state visit abroad to Moscow, speculations are abound about a long-awaited breakthrough in energy relations between the two giants. Caution, however is warranted. The honeymoon in Russo-Chinese energy relations has been elusive and progress rather slow and uneven in the past years. China’s […]

China Energy & Environment

New Atlanticist

Mar 21, 2013

Kurdish Leader: End Armed Struggle

By Ross Wilson

Turkey’s long-time nemesis Abdullah Öcalan, leader of the so-called Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), delivered an historic message on the March 21 Nowruz holiday that marks the beginning of spring calling for a new beginning between Kurds and Turks.

Elections Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Mar 21, 2013

Bolstering Jordan to Enhance Regional Security

By John Raidt and Jeffrey Lightfoot

President Barack Obama can significantly bolster regional security and advance US interests in his upcoming trip to the Middle East by offering increased support to Jordan to help it cope with the highly consequential spillover effects of the conflict in Syria. The influx of 3,000 refugees per day into Jordan from Syria—including an unknown number […]

National Security Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Mar 21, 2013

Science and Technology: The Invisible Pillar of Transatlantic Cooperation

By Cathleen Fisher

Cooperation in science and research is embedded in the transatlantic relationship. And yet, ironically, it is politically and diplomatically underused and often considered marginal—or ignored entirely—by the transatlantic policy community. This should change.

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

New Atlanticist

Mar 20, 2013

Cyprus Still Has Options, But Damage Already Done

By Megan Greene

Everyone knew that Cyprus would be a tough nut to crack, but few expected this tiny island to be the one country to stand up to the so-called troika of international lenders (the EBC, IMF, and European Commission) and reject a bailout offer. To be clear, the potential consequences for Cyprus of its bravado are […]

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

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