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.

Congress Misunderstands Role of Joint Chiefs

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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New Atlanticist

Jul 22, 2013

Congress Misunderstands Role of Joint Chiefs

By James Joyner

Senator John McCain is blocking a second term for General Martin Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, after a testy exchange in a hearing Thursday. His grounds? The refusal of Dempsey to “respond to legitimate questions” from the senior senator from Arizona.

National Security Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Jul 20, 2013

Coping with Netanyahu on Iran

By R. Nicholas Burns

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is back in the headlines on the subject of Iran. On CBS’s “Face the Nation,’’ Netanyahu complained that there was “no sense of urgency” by the global community about Iran’s advancing nuclear program. He went on to warn that Israel will “have to address this question of how to stop […]

Iran Israel

New Atlanticist

Jul 19, 2013

If Next QDR Changes Much, It’ll Be a First

By James Joyner

Writing at the newly-launched Defense One, CNAS vice president Shawn Brimley proclaims, “The next nine months will be the most important period for United States defense strategy since the end of the Cold War.” That’s highly unlikely.

Nuclear Nonproliferation Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Jul 19, 2013

America’s Difficult High-Wire Act in Egypt

By R. Nicholas Burns

As the chaos in Egypt accelerates, Washington will have to think hard about the role it must play as the most influential outside force in that critical country. Despite a distracted Congress, declining military and diplomacy budgets and the general inward direction of the country, the Obama administration has no choice but to remain engaged […]

Middle East North Africa

New Atlanticist

Jul 18, 2013

American Decline: Pure Poppycock!

By Harlan Ullman

A specter is haunting the United States. That specter is one of American decline. But this specter isn’t merely exaggerated. It is poppycock.Those who see in America the conditions that led to the fall of the Roman Empire or the catastrophic Grecian wars between Athens (read America) and Sparta (read China) are simply wrong. The […]

China Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Jul 18, 2013

Georgia’s Argument for the Virtues of Divided Government

By Michael Cecire and Laura Linderman

Doom and gloom have dominated the narrative during the nine months since Georgia’s October 2012 parliamentary elections. Since the Georgian Dream (GD) coalition won a surprise victory at the polls over the incumbent United National Movement (UNM), chaos and polarization have characterized the political landscape. Cohabitation, in which GD’s Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili must share […]

Elections Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Jul 17, 2013

No Time to Turn Our Backs on Egypt

By Brent Scowcroft and Eric D.K. Melby

In the wake of Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi’s eviction from office by the country’s military amid an unprecedented mass uprising, there have been calls for Washington to reduce or suspend its aid to this critical ally in the Middle East. Such action would be short-sighted and represent a vote of no confidence in Egypt, not […]

Elections North Africa

New Atlanticist

Jul 17, 2013

Operation Irresolute Support

By Julian Lindley-French

In 1842 Sir Charles Napier wrote perhaps the most succinct telegram in military history to mark his success at the end of the First Anglo-Afghan War – “Peccavi,” he wrote, “I have sinned.” It was a play on words as Napier had just conquered what is today the Pakistani province of Sindh. In another play […]

Afghanistan

New Atlanticist

Jul 16, 2013

Why Jordan Hesitates to Back Syrian Opposition

By Henry Johnson

As the United States prepares to provide weapons to Syrian rebels, it will rely on Turkey and Jordan to move arms into the country. Jordan will doubtlessly aid the United States, but its willingness to fully support Assad’s ouster remains far from evident. Despite the show of force touted in June’s Eager Lion military exercises, […]

Middle East Missile Defense

New Atlanticist

Jul 12, 2013

The Enormity of Mandela’s Struggle

By Rajan Menon

Nelson Mandela is now waging what mere mortals would see as life’s greatest battle: the one to stay alive. But Mandela, a larger-than-life figure, would probably not see it that way; for him the battle was always about something that transcended his person.

Politics & Diplomacy South Africa

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