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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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 13, 2012

Petraeus the Paper Tiger

By Joshua Foust

Friday’s resignation of CIA Director David Petraeus after admitting to an affair was a shock to the national security establishment in D.C. General Petraeus has enjoyed a reputation of untouchable integrity and vast achievement, and his sudden fall from grace took many by surprise.

New Atlanticist

Nov 13, 2012

Britain and France in Flanders Fields

By Julian Lindley-French

The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Nov 9, 2012

NATO Parliamentary Assembly and the Future of the Alliance

By Jan Hamacek

Today almost 350 lawmakers and foreign dignitaries from NATO and its partner countries will descend on the Czech capital Prague, for the 58th Annual Session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA). Over the years, the Assembly has come to represent the best of NATO’s democratic tradition—the strong democratic bond that remains unique among military […]

NATO Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Nov 9, 2012

Arming Syria’s Rebels: The Strategic and Humanitarian Imperative

By Alex Simon

It took less than twenty-four hours for President Barack Obama to run up against his first major foreign policy setback since reelection; the US-backed opposition conference in Doha reportedly began to unravel Wednesday, with several key opposition leaders withdrawing from the initiative.

Security & Defense Syria

New Atlanticist

Nov 9, 2012

US Aviation Detachment Establishes Permanent Presence in Poland

By Ian Brzezinski

On Friday, the United States will inaugurate its first permanent military presence in Poland by deploying an air force aviation detachment (AV-DET) at the Polish 32nd Tactical Airbase in Lask. The detachment will further institutionalize US-Poland military-to-military engagement and is a needed and useful boost to the bilateral security relationship. The detachment consists of some […]

Poland

New Atlanticist

Nov 8, 2012

For the Future Leaders of United States and China, a World of Difference

By Philip Haxel

Two days after US voters head to the polls, the People’s Republic of China will select its next generation of leaders, albeit in a less democratic fashion.

China Elections

New Atlanticist

Nov 8, 2012

Divided Government and America’s Bipartisan Africa Policy

By Peter Pham

After a bitterly fought campaign that was the most expensive in history, the American electorate voted to keep the divided government that many told pollsters was responsible for the gridlock that has seriously weakened the United States. President Obama won a second term, albeit by a far closer margin than his historic 2008 election. Democrats […]

Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Nov 8, 2012

For Obama, a Second Chance in South Asia

By Shuja Nawaz

With a second term assured, President Barack Obama has a shot at making a huge difference in greater South Asia, an opportunity that he failed to take in his first term.

Pakistan South Asia

New Atlanticist

Nov 7, 2012

Obama’s Lessons for Europe

By Julian Lindley-French

James Freeman Clarke once said, “A politician thinks of the next election; a statesman of the next generation.” President Obama has just been re-elected by the next generation. Now is his chance to be the statesman he needs to become.

Elections Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Nov 7, 2012

A Real Presidential Agenda

By Harlan Ullman

The only downside to writing a Wednesday column recurs every fourth November and the day after the United States’ presidential elections.

Elections Politics & Diplomacy

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