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.

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

New Atlanticist

Feb 7, 2013

Whole Drone Program Deserves Scrutiny

By Danya Greenfield

John Brennan’s confirmation hearing for CIA Director is stirring up renewed debate on the use of drone strikes as a centerpiece of US counterterrorism strategy and, specifically, the legal grounding for targeting US citizens.

Drones Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Feb 7, 2013

Questions for John Brennan

By Joshua Foust

As John Brennan’s confirmation hearing to be the next director of the CIA approaches on Thursday, it is an ideal time to examine his record. While he is the man perhaps best positioned to reform the agency and to handle the complex challenges facing the country, there are some questions he should answer during his […]

Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Feb 7, 2013

Georgia’s Diplomatic Shuffle

By Laura Linderman

“America is our biggest and strongest partner, and for a country like Georgia, this is the most important diplomatic post you can imagine,” current Georgian Ambassador to the United States Temuri Yakobashvili recently told the Washington Diplomat. So when he steps down on March first, his replacement will be a key player in the US-Georgian […]

Putin lays flowers at Stalingrad memorial

New Atlanticist

Feb 7, 2013

How Russia Won the War and Is Still Losing the Peace

By Julian Lindley-French

On the 70th anniversary of the surrender of General von Paulus’s German Sixth Army this weekend, President Putin declared, “Russia is proud of the defenders of Stalingrad.” Rarely do I agree with Putin but he is absolutely right about the two hundred day battle of Stalingrad.

Russia

New Atlanticist

Feb 6, 2013

Presidential Killing Powers Need Checks and Balances

By James Joyner

A secret Justice Department memo detailing in great length when the president has the authority to unilaterally order American citizens killed without so much as a criminal charge has been released.

United States and Canada

New Atlanticist

Feb 6, 2013

A Plan to Tame Civil Society in Armenia

By Anna Borshchevskaya

As Armenia prepares for a presidential election on February 18, the international community should direct its attention to a recent proposal by a presidential advisory body that—if implemented—would drastically increase government control over civil society in the country.

Elections European Union

New Atlanticist

Feb 6, 2013

The Trials of Chuck Hagel

By Harlan Ullman

Last week’s U.S. Senate confirmation hearing on former Sen. Chuck Hagel’s nomination as secretary of defense was contentious and nasty. Hagel almost certainly will be confirmed but he was badly battered in the process.

New Atlanticist

Feb 5, 2013

France’s Strategy for Success in Mali

By Sarwar Kashmeri

France’s military intervention is aimed at creating a stable state in Mali that is in French and EU strategic interests. What is France’s strategy in Mali? LTG Jean-Paul Perruche, former director-general EU Military Staff, in conversation with Sarwar Kashmeri, senior fellow, Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security and adjunct professor, Norwich University. (8 minutes)

France Sahel

New Atlanticist

Feb 4, 2013

Forget Asia: Time to Pivot to Europe

By Robert A. Manning

Don’t look now, but for all the buzz about the Obama administration’s “pivot” to Asia and the Trans-Pacific Partnership, momentum is building on both sides of the Atlantic for a U.S.-EU free trade agreement that could be at least as consequential in shaping the world order. In fact, considering the messy geopolitical landscape with few […]

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Feb 4, 2013

Libya’s Spheres of Bad Influence

By Karim Mezran

The tragic events unfolding in North Africa have brought to the attention of the West a reality that has been long underestimated and neglected: the rapid collapse of law and order in the countries that went through the revolts of the so-called Arab spring. Western countries have relied on the hope that new governments across […]

Libya NATO

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