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

Feb 28, 2012

Afghan War Fundamentals

By Arnaud de Borchgrave

The United States and its NATO allies are having have trouble coming to grips with the fundamentals of the decade-long Afghan war.

Afghanistan NATO

New Atlanticist

Feb 28, 2012

Reinventing the World Bank

By Ana Palacio

Robert Zoellick’s announcement that he will not seek reelection as President of the World Bank has focused attention on whether the tradition of putting an American in charge will or should endure. But, legitimate as that question is, it is just a minor aspect of the debate that is needed about the World Bank’s role […]

Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Feb 27, 2012

On to Chicago: Enter the European Union

By Sven Biscop

At the NATO Summit in Chicago a first assessment of the Alliance’s Smart Defense initiative is expected. As the European Union is invited, the first results of its Pooling & Sharing Initiative will be discussed as well. On the NATO side in particular there is a search for “flagship projects” substantial enough to present to […]

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Feb 27, 2012

The Rising Cost of Stupidity and Brutality

By Don Snow

The recent flaps concerning indiscretions by American troops in Afghanistan (urinating on Taliban corpses, burning copies of the Quran) and Syrian brutality against its own population have one very common and powerful thread: both were acts that were not intended for widespread public attention or scrutiny but have become, in the new vernacular, “viral.”

New Atlanticist

Feb 27, 2012

British Security Policy: A Mess of Olympic Proportions

By Julian Lindley-French

To paraphrase US President Richard M. Nixon, finishing second in the Olympics gets you silver; finishing second in security risks oblivion.

United Kingdom

New Atlanticist

Feb 24, 2012

The Westphalian System and US Defense Policy

By Derek Reveron

Last week, Deputy Secretary of Defense Ash Carter told an audience at the Atlantic Council that building partnership capacity or security force assistance will remain an important component of US defense policy. The talk was grounded in the 2012 strategic defense guidance that notes “building partnership capacity…remains important for sharing the costs and responsibilities of global leadership. Across the […]

Afghanistan

New Atlanticist

Feb 24, 2012

The European Union and the Syrian Gridlock

By Vivien Pertusot

The United Nations account of the 8317 dead and counting in Syria is disturbing, even more so as the international community remains divided and actions to curb violence have proved unsuccessful. In this apparent gridlock, the European Union has adopted a hard-pressed and steady posture against the regime. The pressure may be growingly biting, yet […]

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Feb 23, 2012

Afghan Outrage: Burned Books, Mayhem, and Mass Murder

By James Joyner

At least nine people have been killed and dozens wounded so far in a series of riots across Afghanistan reacting to news that some Islamic religious materials were burned along with the trash by American troops. President Obama this morning added his “deep regret” and “sincere apologies” to a long list by other US and […]

Afghanistan NATO

New Atlanticist

Feb 23, 2012

Where Next for US-China Relations?

By Banning Garrett

The change in leaders in China is perhaps less significant than a new administration taking power in the United States, especially if the new US administration is from the party previously out of power. Xi Jinping has been part of the ruling administration for years. There will be new faces taking Politburo and Standing Committee […]

China

New Atlanticist

Feb 23, 2012

The World Depends on the Future of Greece and Iran

By Harlan Ullman

What a tense and chilling time internationally! Economically and financially, markets and bourses remain fixated on what happens, or doesn’t, in relatively tiny Greece. For the moment, bulls may be eclipsing bears in resolving the Greek debt crisis — but only for the moment.

Greece Iran

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