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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.

Is the Special Relationship Dead?

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.

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Is the Special Relationship Dead?

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

Is the Special Relationship Dead?

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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Content

New Atlanticist

Sep 5, 2013

Is the Special Relationship Dead?

By Julian Lindley-French

Is the Anglo-American special relationship dead? In the wake of Parliament’s 29 August decision to block the use of British forces in any US-led strike on Syria British officers were ejected from planning meetings at US Central Command (CENTCOM). At this week’s G20 meeting in St Petersberg President Obama will pointedly have a private meeting […]

United Kingdom United States and Canada

New Atlanticist

Sep 5, 2013

Five Reasons Why Congress Must Support Obama on Syria

By R. Nicholas Burns

Whether you agree or disagree with President Barack Obama’s surprising decision to ask Congress to authorize the use of force against Syria is last weekend’s question. Now that the Senate has begun a vigorous debate, this week’s only pertinent question is whether theUnited States will respond to the Syrian government’s use of chemical weapons against […]

Syria

New Atlanticist

Sep 5, 2013

Eye on Syria: US Senate Authorizes Strikes, Foreign Governments Look On

News Senate Panel Backs Use of Force Against Syria, Wall Street Journal A Senate panel backed President Barack Obama’s request for strikes on Syria, while the Pentagon has been revising options, including the use of Air Force bombers to supplement the four Navy destroyers armed with missiles. Where Congress Stands on Syria,Washington PostInfographic on where Congressional […]

Syria

New Atlanticist

Sep 4, 2013

Sweden Welcomes President Obama

President Obama’s trip to Sweden before heading to the G20 Summit has all of Europe buzzing. The photo above shows President Obama’s arrival, and the video set below shows the joint press conference with the Prime Minister of Sweden.

Northern Europe

New Atlanticist

Sep 4, 2013

A Queen of Heart’s Advice for Syria

By Harlan Ullman

Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland” offers a relevant insight into how to respond — or not — to chemical weapons attacks two weeks ago outside Damascus that claimed nearly 1,500 lives. “Sentence before verdict,” thundered the Queen of Hearts as Alice watched. For much of last week, a punitive military strike seemed imminent before a […]

Syria

New Atlanticist

Sep 4, 2013

The Confusing Case for Striking Syria

By Rajan Menon

For more than two years President Barack Obama has resisted the clamor of the interventionists, avoiding military moves against Bashar al-Assad’s regime for fear of being sucked into the vortex of Syria’s horrific and complex civil war.

Syria

New Atlanticist

Sep 4, 2013

Eye on Syria: Hagel and Kerry Make the Case for Syria Strikes

By Alex Ward

News Kerry, Hagel Lay Out Military Objectives During Senate Hearing on Syria Strike, Washington PostSecretaries Hagel and Kerry made the case that the congressional authorization the Obama administration seeks is to “hold the Assad regime accountable,” and not get the United States involved in a war with boots on the ground. Allies’ Intelligence Differs on […]

Syria

New Atlanticist

Sep 3, 2013

Obama in Stockholm: A Missed European Opportunity

By Fran Burwell

Don’t get me wrong — Sweden has been an exceptional partner to the United States. Although technically not an ally, Swedish soldiers have stood with ours in Afghanistan and Kosovo, and the Swedish air force played a serious role in enforcing the no-fly-zone during the Libyan revolution. Sweden is also a strong supporter of a […]

New Atlanticist

Sep 3, 2013

Why the US Should Use Cyber Weapons against Syria

By Jason Healey

If the Obama administration does conduct military strikes against Syria, as seems likely, it should use military cyber weapons at the earliest possible moment to show the upside of military cyber power. Though this is risky, as it puts the focus on the U.S. militarization of cyberspace, it is likely worth doing to show that […]

Cybersecurity Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Sep 3, 2013

Syria, Obama, and the Value-Interest

By Julian Lindley-French

President Obama’s 31 August decision to authorize but delay a military strike against Syria’s Bashar al-Assad’s regime in the wake of the alleged use of chemical weapons is an important moment. Taken together with the 29 August decision of Britain’s Parliament to deny Prime Minister Cameron permission to use force two changes are apparent.

Syria
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