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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New Atlanticist

Jan 29, 2013

Cyber Command Expanding Five Fold

By Jason Healey

Cyber Command will find great opportunities but face significant challenges as it expands from 900 cyber warriors to nearly 5000. Its predecessor started with just 25 people in 1998. So in one sense, this increase represents continuity, just another in a series of expansions. But the size of the increase, and the addition of a new mission, […]

Cybersecurity National Security

New Atlanticist

Jan 29, 2013

Britain’s History of Hedging on Europe

By Rajan Menon

First there was talk of a possible “Grexit,” the forced departure of a bankrupt Greece from the EU. Now, with British prime minister David Cameron’s Wednesday announcement that he will put the question of the UK’s continued membership to vote should his Conservative Party win the 2015 election, there’s speculation about what might be called […]

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Jan 28, 2013

Europe and the Holocaust

By Julian Lindley-French

Yesterday was Holocaust Memorial Day, the sixty-eighth anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz by Soviet forces which last year I visited to pay homage to the murdered. Here in the Netherlands Anne Frank wrote “In spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart. I simply can’t build up my hopes […]

Europe & Eurasia

New Atlanticist

Jan 28, 2013

NATO Demise Redux?

By Stephen M. Saideman

Harlan Ullman’s “NATO RIP” seemed like a bit of déjà vu, as people have been predicting the Alliance’s demise pretty much as long as it has been around. This obviously increased after the Soviet Union collapsed and with it NATO’s raison d’etre. However, the reality is that institutions are sticky, including international ones, and disappear […]

NATO Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Jan 28, 2013

Managing Mali

By J. Peter Pham

Strategically ill-conceived as it might been in a moment of panic and almost stillborn as a result of its bumpy start (thanks to diminished European military logistics capabilities), the French military intervention in Mali has nevertheless altered the dynamics in the fight against al-Qaeda’s regional affiliate. As the United States broadens the hitherto limited assistance […]

Sahel

New Atlanticist

Jan 25, 2013

Optimism After Jordan’s Election

By Danya Greenfield

Against all expectations, Jordan’s parliamentary election this week seems to have generated some optimism. The big questions had little to do with the appeal of specific political platforms or even the candidates themselves, but rather with process and turnout.

Elections Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Jan 25, 2013

All-Volunteer Military a Ticking Time Bomb

By Arnold Punaro

The all-in cost of the all-volunteer force is a ticking time bomb that could explode our defense capabilities if not dealt with responsibly. Unfortunately, the Pentagon does not track the real cost of personnel decisions, making smart reform difficult.

Security & Defense United States and Canada

New Atlanticist

Jan 25, 2013

Strategic Implications of the Euro Crisis

By Jeffrey Lightfoot

The crisis of the Eurozone is likely to have profound strategic implications that will impact Europe’s role in the world and the dynamism of the transatlantic alliance. While it is too early to know exactly how the crisis will shape relations between the United States and Europe, the issue deserves the attention of US policymakers […]

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Jan 24, 2013

NATO RIP

By Harlan Ullman

A recent half-day conference at a major Washington think tank on “the budget and U.S. defense strategy” was most telling for what was dramatically omitted from a wide-ranging discussion. Not until the final question had NATO been once mentioned.

NATO Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Jan 24, 2013

The French Mess in Mali and Libya

By Rajan Menon

If you want an illustration of the law of unintended consequences, look no further than Mali. The drama that’s been unfolding there over the past nine months, and that has taken a new turn in the past week, is a perfect illustration.

France Libya

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