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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New Atlanticist

Jul 17, 2012

The Changing American Way of War

By Derek Reveron

Since November 2001, the United States has been on a massive war footing, with 2.4 million forces deployed in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. Compared to previous wars, thankfully, casualties have been minimal. In Iraq, under 4,500 were killed and 30,000 wounded. In Afghanistan, fewer than 2,000 have been killed and 15,000 wounded. While physical […]

Afghanistan Iraq

New Atlanticist

Jul 17, 2012

Anchoring the Alliance: Transforming Europe from a Partner in Crisis to a Global Partner

By R. Nicholas Burns Damon Wilson and Jeffrey Lightfoot

If the transatlantic alliance is going to build a brighter future in the decade ahead, Europe will have to regain the ambition to shape international affairs that it demonstrated in decades past.

NATO Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Jul 17, 2012

Strategic Engagement with Russia 2013-17

By Thomas R. Pickering

Russia remains, in ‘Churchillian’ terms, an enigmatic mystery. In its post-Communist transition to a modern state, Russia has shed most of the impedimenta of Communism and begun to search for new directions. But the old conflict between “Slavophiles” and “Westernizers” has emerged in the streets in a new guise and the outcome remains uncertain. Although […]

Missile Defense Russia

New Atlanticist

Jul 16, 2012

Ghosts of History 2, Asian Security (still) 0 : What is Asia’s Archduke Ferdinand??

By Robert A. Manning

Never mind that Japan has recalled its Ambassador to China. You can bet the mortgage that nary a word was said at the series of high-level ASEAN and East Asia Summit (EAS) security meetings attended by Secretary of State Clinton last week about the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands dispute between China and Japan.

China India

New Atlanticist

Jul 16, 2012

Leviathan: The Great European Divide

By Julian Lindley-French

In 1651 English political philosopher Thomas Hobbes wrote “Leviathan” in which he said prophetically, “The only way to erect…a common power, as may be able to defend [men] from the invasion of foreigners, and the inquiries of one another… is to confer all their power and strength upon one man, or upon one assembly of […]

Economy & Business European Union

New Atlanticist

Jul 13, 2012

US and NATO Options for Dealing with Assad

By Sarwar Kashmeri

“Assad must go” seems to be the only refrain in Washington and Brussels. However, America’s national interests may lie in a different direction. Kurt Volker, former US Ambassador to NATO, joins in conversation with Sarwar Kashmeri, senior fellow at the Atlantic Council. (8 minute audio podcast)

Syria

New Atlanticist

Jul 13, 2012

Ghosts of History 1, Asian Security 0

By Robert A. Manning

As Secretary of State Clinton and Asia-Pacific ministers gathered in Phnom Penh for a series of security meetings, the telling reality of regional security occurred elsewhere.

China East Asia

New Atlanticist

Jul 13, 2012

US Presidential Campaign Drive Overshadows Larger Issues

By Harlan Ullman

Politics in the United States have deteriorated to the point that winning elections has transcended the need for providing effective government. Perpetual campaigning, matched by a perpetual Easter egg hunt for money, has become the default setting for politicians elected to both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue. This year’s presidential election is further evidence of this […]

Elections Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Jul 12, 2012

The American Pivot Hinges on Europe

By Sven Biscop

Inadvertently or not, the United States is now demanding European strategic autonomy, at least regionally, for its “pivot” to the Asia-Pacific is partially dependent on Europe’s ability to take care of its own business. Henceforth peace and stability in Europe’s neighborhood is first and foremost Europe’s responsibility.

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Jul 12, 2012

Stilling a Stormy Relationship

By Shuja Nawaz

With the word “sorry,” Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recently opened the door for the United States to continue to supply its forces in Afghanistan through Pakistan. Getting to this word took months of effort on both sides but “sorry” may not be enough to keep the relationship on an even keel for too long. […]

Pakistan

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