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.

Rising Iraqi Oil Output Greases Iran Sanctions

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

Jun 29, 2012

Rising Iraqi Oil Output Greases Iran Sanctions

By Barbara Slavin

Iraq’s once-battered oil sector is further eclipsing production in Iran, relieving pressure on world oil markets and facilitating the imposition of draconian new sanctions on Iran.

Iran

New Atlanticist

Jun 28, 2012

US Strategy for the 21st Century Needed

By Harlan Ullman

All leaders are easily criticized for either having the “wrong” strategy or “no” strategy at all regardless of the issue. In politics, elections exacerbate these critiques without always offering an alternative. In 1968, trapped in Vietnam, U.S. President Lyndon Johnson’s (flawed) strategy was to continue the status quo of defeating the North Vietnamese army and […]

New Atlanticist

Jun 28, 2012

Former Turkish Official: Assad Fall May Lead to Chaos in Syria

By Barbara Slavin

Former Turkish Foreign Minister Yasar Yakis, one of Turkey’s longest-serving diplomats, said the situation between Turkey and Syria might actually get worse if President Bashar al-Assad leaves or is overthrown because chaos will hurt Syria first and Turkey second.

Syria

New Atlanticist

Jun 28, 2012

Euro Crisis Threatens Global Security

By Steven Grundman and A.J. Wilson

“Things fall apart; the center cannot hold,” wrote the Irish poet William Butler Yeats of the dark time he envisioned in the aftermath of World War I. Today, the converse of this proposition overshadows our future: if Europe fails to respond to the euro-zone crisis in a way that reinforces its center, things will begin […]

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Jun 27, 2012

US Hardens Stance In Iran Nuclear Talks

By Laura Rozen and Barbara Slavin

Iran came to talks in Moscow last week (June 18-19) prepared to discuss stopping enriching uranium to 20% but refused two other conditions that could have led to a partial agreement in the nuclear standoff. Briefings by diplomats whose countries took part in the talks portrayed the meetings as a “dialogue of the deaf,” with […]

Iran Nuclear Nonproliferation

New Atlanticist

Jun 27, 2012

What the Arab Spring Taught the World about Supporting Dictatorships

By Benedetta Berti and Yoel Guzansky

Eighteen months ago, a sudden eruption of social and political protests across the Middle East took the world by storm. Despite widespread awareness that the mix of economic stagnation, sky-rocketing unemployment, demographic pressure, corrupt and inefficient government, and social and political repression represented a serious threat to the stability of the region few anticipated the […]

New Atlanticist

Jun 27, 2012

South Asia’s New Regional Realities

By Ronak Desai

US Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta urged New Delhi to adopt a “more active role” in Afghanistan as NATO troops prepare to withdraw and championed an expansion of the US-India defense and security partnership. Speaking in the Indian capital during a visit there earlier this month, he characterized India as the “linchpin” of Washington’s strategic […]

Afghanistan India

New Atlanticist

Jun 26, 2012

Turkey’s Prudent Management Ends Syria Crisis

By Ross Wilson

Four days after Syria’s downing of a Turkish F-4 fighter aircraft, the government of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan brought the crisis to a close by securing NATO support, reporting its views to the UN Security Council, complaining formally to Damascus, and altering the rules of engagement along the 500-plus mile border with its neighbor […]

Syria

New Atlanticist

Jun 26, 2012

In the United States-Pakistan Impasse the Winner Is Russia

By Sarwar Kashmeri

The continuing impasse between the United States and Pakistan over the accidental killing by American forces of 24 Pakistani soldiers last November means Pakistani territory is off-limits for the evacuation of American and NATO military equipment from Afghanistan.

Afghanistan NATO

New Atlanticist

Jun 26, 2012

Why NATO Won’t Go To War Over Syria Shooting Down Turkish Jet

By James Joyner

This week, the North Atlantic Council (NAC) will meet at Turkey’s request to discuss what NATO should do in response to Syria shooting down a Turkish F-4 last week. The short answer will almost certainly be: not much.

NATO Security & Defense

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