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.

Promoting the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership

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 5, 2013

Promoting the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership

By Garrett Workman

With both the United States and Europe mired in economic stagnation, removing the remaining barriers to trade—both tariffs and divergent regulations—is critical to maintaining the leadership position the West has grown accustomed to. President Obama made clear in his State of the Union address that pursuing a comprehensive agreement with the European Union will be […]

Economy & Business European Union

New Atlanticist

Mar 4, 2013

Handicapping the Kenyan Election

By Bronwyn Bruton

As Kenyans go to the polls, observers are bracing for a replay of the country’s horrific 2007 presidential elections, which produced a wave of ethnic violence that killed more than a thousand people and displaced over a half a million.

East Africa Elections

New Atlanticist

Mar 4, 2013

Sequestration’s Credibility Costs

By Jeffrey Lightfoot

The debate over sequestration is focused nearly entirely on the impact of spending reductions on the U.S. economy. Far less attention is given to how the automatic spending cuts would undermine the credibility of American power abroad. As sequestration comes into force, the White House and Congress signal a dangerous lack of resolve to both […]

Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Mar 4, 2013

Toward Stability in Mali

By Dustin Dehez

The current crisis in Mali came largely as a shock to the international community. Yet, with the conflict having gone from local insurgency to full scale war and back, plenty of analyses have begun to formulate an early consensus among analysts: the conflict, it is argued, is a direct result of the 2011 civil war […]

Politics & Diplomacy Sahel

New Atlanticist

Mar 1, 2013

Jones: ‘Pivot to Asia’ Regretable Word Choice

By James Joyner

General Jim Jones, former national security advisor to President Obama, said “pivot to Asia” are probably “the words we regret most.” While there’s no question that the Asia-Pacific is more important than ever, the phrase signaled that other regions, notably Europe and Africa, were therefore less important.

Indo-Pacific

New Atlanticist

Mar 1, 2013

Kwasniewski: Ukraine Must Choose Between West and Russia

By James Joyner

Former Polish President Aleksander Kwaśniewski declared Ukraine must choose between the West and Russia–and urged the United States and Europe to work to nudge them in our direction.

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Feb 28, 2013

Arming Syria’s Rebels No Panacea

By Daniel Trombly

With an influx of Saudi-purchased arms and ideas floating for non-lethal aid to the Syrian rebels, irate supporters of directly arming the Syrian rebels are demanding more.

Iraq Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Feb 28, 2013

International Policy Must Consider Unintended Consequences

By Harlan Ullman

Unintended consequences often combine the most diabolical of dangers with the greatest of huge rewards. This Janus-like face of danger and reward is often unrecognized and even ignored in the taking of major decisions by states and leaders.

Syria United States and Canada

New Atlanticist

Feb 28, 2013

Turmoil in Tbilisi: Georgia’s Dream Imperiled

By Matthew Bryza

The culture of democracy in Georgia requires serious repair. Despite groundbreaking reforms over nearly a decade, and the freest and fairest election in the country’s history last October, mob violence recently made a near-comeback as Georgia’s primary tool of political change.

Elections Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Feb 27, 2013

Europe Is Still an Example in the Fight Against Climate Change

By David Koranyi

Europe-bashing is in mode nowadays, be it because of the Eurozone crisis or the European Union’s underwhelming military capabilities. Its championing role in the fight against climate change is no exception.

Energy & Environment European Union

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