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
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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When major global news breaks, the Atlantic Council’s experts have you covered—delivering their sharpest rapid insight and forward-looking analysis direct to your inbox.

Experts React

Dive deep into developing stories, guided by continually updated expert analysis that leaves you better informed about the most pressing global issues behind the headlines.

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

Nov 27, 2012

America’s Geopolitical Gusher

By Frederick Kempe

Fatih Birol, the International Energy Agency’s chief economist, is not prone to hype. So industry executives listen when he calls the surge of U.S. oil and gas production “the biggest change in the energy world since World War II.”

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

New Atlanticist

Nov 26, 2012

VIDEO: Secretary Kerry Addresses the Key Points of the Iran Deal

By US Dept of State

Iran

New Atlanticist

Nov 26, 2012

Time Running Out as Israel Cuts the Grass

By Sarwar Kashmeri

Is there any hope for a permanent peace in the Middle East when Israel believes the only way to deal with the Palestinians is akin to “cutting the grass,” a bizarre belief that now governs Israeli foreign policy as the New York Times recently reported

Middle East

New Atlanticist

Nov 26, 2012

Did the Recent Fighting Hamper an Israeli-Palestinian Solution?

By Arnaud de Borchgrave

While hundreds of millions Muslims believe 9/11 was history’s biggest conspiracy, hatched by U.S. intelligence and Israel’s Mossad, to justify a global crackdown on Islamist militants, there are also countless millions of Arabs who are convinced the Nazi Holocaust was grossly exaggerated to justify “the Jewish occupation of Palestine.”

Middle East National Security

New Atlanticist

Nov 21, 2012

Fixing the Flaws in the Pivot to Asia

By Harlan Ullman

U.S. President Barack Obama is underscoring the administration’s “strategic pivot” to Asia with a trip to the Pacific. This column has criticized this pivot and the botched public diplomacy campaign that managed to irritate friends, allies and, of course, China.

United States and Canada

New Atlanticist

Nov 21, 2012

Israel Should Rethink its Strategy Against Hamas in Gaza

By Benedetta Berti

Since Hamas won the Palestinian legislative elections in January 2006 and subsequently took control of the Gaza Strip in June 2007, Israel has dealt with the “Islamic Resistance” through a policy of non-recognition, political isolation, and military containment. The recent escalation of violence in Gaza should call for a reconsideration of this strategy.

Middle East

New Atlanticist

Nov 21, 2012

In Space, No One Can Hear You Pivot

By Aaron Burgstein

With all the recent discussion on the rebalance to Asia and how air, sea, and ground forces might play in that environment, one domain has been conspicuously absent. Space.

Missile Defense Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Nov 20, 2012

The Future of Conservative Foreign Policy

By James Joyner

According to both the exit polls and the pre-election polling, President Obama was widely considered better on foreign policy than his Republican opponent. The last time that happened was 1964, when Lyndon Johnson carried 44 states, in part on the message that electing Barry Goldwater would lead to nuclear holocaust.

United States and Canada

New Atlanticist

Nov 20, 2012

3-D Printing Revolution in Military Logistics

By Jon R. Drushal and Michael Llenza

The 3-D printing revolution is completely upending the global manufacturing base. Its potential impact on defense and national security is just as revolutionary but could be marginalized if the Defense Department fails to adopt a comprehensive vision and strategy.

National Security Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Nov 19, 2012

Obama Wise Not to Play Battleship

By Andrew L. Stigler

The 2012 presidential campaign, like most, was a frustrating one for national security.

National Security Security & Defense

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