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

Mar 14, 2012

Lessons from the First Cyber Commanders

By Jason Healey and Karl Grindal

Even though major conflicts have occurred in cyberspace since the mid-1980s, these are largely unknown and untaught, making it far more likely that the United States will have to continually relearn the same lessons.

Cybersecurity Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Mar 13, 2012

Is Syria 2011 the Same As Spain 1936?

By Arnaud de Borchgrave

Is Syria’s civil war a prelude to a larger Mideast conflict that would involve Israel, Iran, the Arab Gulf countries minus Oman (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain) and Israel? Some knowledgeable military observers who have served or are serving in the Middle East say that the Arab Spring, which translated into chaos […]

Syria

New Atlanticist

Mar 13, 2012

Hagel Praises Obama on Syria; Chides GOP on Iran

By Barbara Slavin

Atlantic Council Chairman Senator Chuck Hagel, who co-chairs the Obama administration’s Intelligence Advisory Board, says the United States should offer Iran “face-saving ways” out of the nuclear crisis and let Arab countries to take the lead in ousting Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.

Syria

New Atlanticist

Mar 13, 2012

Mass Slaughter Shocking, but Not Surprising

By Joshua Foust

The shocking murder last weekend of 16 Afghan civilians — 9 of them children — by a US soldier is raising many questions about the war. Coming right after the accidental burning of several Qurans at a US base last month, which sparked mass protests across the country, it seems reasonable to ask: what is […]

Afghanistan

New Atlanticist

Mar 12, 2012

America Recalibrates Its Israeli Alliance

By Sarwar Kashmeri

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returned home without receiving an American endorsement for an Israeli attack on Iran. Neither did he find much support for the Israeli government’s assertion that the window to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons is about to slam shut.

Iran

New Atlanticist

Mar 12, 2012

Nigeria Hostage Rescue Attempt: Tough But Correct Call

By Julian Lindley-French

The 7 March attempt to free Briton Chris McManus and Italian Franco Lamonilara from Nigerian kidnappers by Britain’s Special Boat Service (SBS) and Royal Marine Commandos British ended in failure. Tragically, both men were killed by their captors. The Italian President has attacked London for launching the raid without informing Rome prior to the operation.

United Kingdom

New Atlanticist

Mar 12, 2012

Europe Must Find the Political Will to Stabilize its Economy

By Timothy Stafford

Europe’s economy needs swift and concerted attention. For months, increasing fears about the possibility of sovereign defaults have engulfed the continent and contaminated its economies. Only by addressing the fundamental design flaws within the Euro can any prospect of sustained prosperity be restored.

Economy & Business European Union

New Atlanticist

Mar 9, 2012

Mitigating NATO’s Invisible Risk

By Jordan Becker

As Europe becomes a modest producer rather than a consumer of security and the US engages in a “strategic pivot” toward the Asia Pacific, the most overlooked security challenge facing the transatlantic community is benign neglect.

Drones Technology & Innovation

New Atlanticist

Mar 9, 2012

Is it Time for a Nuclear Mutual Assistance Pact?

By Julian Lindley-French

Is it time for a Nuclear Mutual Assistance Pact? Yesterday’s ‘P5+1’ statement urging Iran to enter into “serious dialogue” on its nuclear program “without preconditions” suggests the danger of nuclear proliferation is now so real that something new is needed to prevent it. The statement is also an important precedent. The very fact that the […]

International Organizations Nuclear Nonproliferation

New Atlanticist

Mar 8, 2012

Global Security as National Security

By Derek Reveron

One of the enduring puzzles in security studies is why the United States downplays its relative strength and occupies itself with the challenge of weak or failed states. This is important given the considerable risks associated with maintaining dozens of treaty allies and a non-exclusive list of security partners such as Georgia, Kenya, and Thailand. […]

United States and Canada

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