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

May 19, 2012

NATO Must Rethink Libya Model

By Andrea Baumann and Benedetta Berti

NATO’s summit in Chicago this weekend is unlikely to see much debate over the future of its controversial ‘out-of-area’ operations. Instead, prominent concerns over maintaining capabilities in an age of austerity will likely dominate the debate. This is a missed opportunity, as the last twelve months have been of unprecedented importance in shaping member countries’ […]

Afghanistan NATO

New Atlanticist

May 18, 2012

British Response to ‘Anchoring the Alliance’ Report

By Peter Westmacott

I’m glad that experts of the calibre of Nick Burns and Damon Wilson are discussing the importance of NATO in the run-up to this weekend’s summit. Their argument–that NATO matters as much now as ever, but that we all need to work to maintain it–is one the UK wholeheartedly supports. But I take issue with […]

NATO Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

May 18, 2012

The Atlantic Alliance Transformed

By Brent Scowcroft

As the US inclination and ability to act unilaterally decline, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization becomes an even more vital tool for foreign and defense policy. However, NATO will only be relevant to new US strategic priorities and geopolitical realities if it changes the way it does business. Despite flaws in its execution, the ultimate […]

Afghanistan Libya

New Atlanticist

May 18, 2012

NATO Inaction on Enlargement Risks Balkan Stability

By James Jones

For a half century, the NATO alliance has been the cornerstone of the United States’ and Europe’s shared security. The alliance’s enlargement has been a priority at each major meeting of NATO heads of state since the fall of the Berlin Wall. This weekend, when NATO leaders convene in Chicago, enlargement may be swept under […]

NATO Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

May 18, 2012

Yes to Missile Defense, With Russia

By Wolfgang Ischinger

The NATO summit in Chicago starting on Sunday is expected to declare an “interim capability” of a NATO missile defense shield. Although Russia had been invited by NATO at its summit in Lisbon in 2010 to cooperate in setting up a joint ballistic missile defense system, or B.M.D., the alliance is now poised to proceed […]

Missile Defense NATO

New Atlanticist

May 17, 2012

How NATO Can Revitalize Its Role

By Frederick Kempe

White House reporters can be forgiven their collective shrug when they received the readout from President Obama’s meeting last week with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, in advance of the alliance’s Chicago summit this weekend.

NATO Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

May 17, 2012

Becoming NATO’s Next Ally

By Damon Wilson

When NATO leaders meet in Chicago this weekend, they will review the process of enlargement and the performance of candidate nations. While no invitations will be issued, the summit is an opportunity for allies to affirm that NATO will continue to enlarge and that Montenegro is on track to earn a place among their ranks. […]

NATO Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

May 17, 2012

The Chicago NATO Summit: Much Ado About?

By Harlan Ullman

NATO’s 28 members and some dozen partners will convene Sunday at a heads of government, heads of state summit in Chicago, US President Barack Obama’s hometown. Such summits have been held roughly every two years. The previous one took place in Lisbon, Portugal, in November 2010 where a new “strategic concept” was approved redefining NATO’s […]

Afghanistan NATO

Europe After The Vote

May 16, 2012

Why Greece Must Leave the Euro for Greece and Europe to Survive

By Garrett Workman

In the aftermath of last week’s elections in Greece, in which voters resoundingly rejected further austerity, Europe is struggling to come to terms with Greek voters’ conflicting desire to stay in the Euro while also delaying necessary reforms. However, while debating how to keep Greece in line and in the Euro, a more fundamental question […]

European Union Greece

New Atlanticist

May 16, 2012

A Greek Exit From the Euro Would Lead to Chaos

By Alexei Monsarrat

A few weeks ago there was a wild rumor that Greece’s debt crisis had been dealt with. The hope was that with enough debt relief and a “managed” default, Europe had bought time for global growth to lift the Greek economy, and Greek politicians would wring the country through massive austerity. This was a misread […]

European Union Greece

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