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.

Saudi Arabia and Qatar’s Role in the Regional Efforts to Oust Assad

New Atlanticist
Jul 29, 2025

The Russia pressure menu: Options to convince Putin to negotiate on Ukraine 

As the US president cuts his deadline for Russia to ten days, there are several options for him to increase pressure on Moscow to pursue peace.

Read More

Saudi Arabia and Qatar’s Role in the Regional Efforts to Oust Assad

New Atlanticist
Jul 24, 2025

Dispatch from Manila: A lesson in calling out Chinese maritime aggression

By
Markus Garlauskas, Philip W. Yu

As the Philippines has focused more on Chinese threats to itself, Manila also seems increasingly inclined to see its own security as connected to that of the broader region.

China
Indo-Pacific

Saudi Arabia and Qatar’s Role in the Regional Efforts to Oust Assad

New Atlanticist
Jul 1, 2025

The US must enforce sanctions to prevent Iran from rebuilding its nuclear program

By
Kimberly Donovan

To ensure that Tehran cannot get its hands on the financial resources it would need to rebuild its nuclear program, Iran sanctions enforcement should start with China.

Economic Sanctions
Iran

Stay updated

Get your weekly newsletter with expert’s analysis on the most important global issues.


Explore our unique analysis

Fast Thinking

When major global news breaks, the Atlantic Council’s experts have you covered—delivering their sharpest rapid insight and forward-looking analysis direct to your inbox.

Read more

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.

Read more

Markup

Our experts decipher and annotate major speeches and policy documents to break down big ideas and lay them out in plain language.

Read more

Content

New Atlanticist

Apr 6, 2012

Saudi Arabia and Qatar’s Role in the Regional Efforts to Oust Assad

By Benedetta Berti and Yoel Guzansky

Since the beginning of the protests against the Assad regime in March 2011, the international community’s response to the Syrian crisis has been characterized by disunity. This collective vacuum has boosted the role of regional actors, particularly Saudi Arabia and Qatar, who have been extremely active with the support of virtually all GCC countries. 

Saudi Arabia Syria

New Atlanticist

Apr 6, 2012

Falklands Victory 30th Anniversary Offers Lessons For Today’s Britain

By Julian Lindley-French

“Be pleased to inform Her Majesty that the Union Jack once again flies over Stanley. God save the Queen.”

United Kingdom

New Atlanticist

Apr 5, 2012

Importance of Space Domain Within Visegrad Defense and Security Cooperation

By Peter Pindjak and Dominik Jankowski

Space has become an increasingly important domain within regional security cooperation initiatives. While the Nordic countries have embraced the prospect of a joint satellite system as an important tool in advancing common interests, the Visegrad nations have yet to recognize the immense potential of collaboration in outer space. Central European leaders presently face a challenge […]

Space Technology & Innovation

New Atlanticist

Apr 5, 2012

US Foreign Policy Debate: A Clash of Midgets

By Harlan Ullman

Last Friday’s Washington Post headline read “Romney to stress foreign policy” in the presidential race. The presumptive Republican nominee clearly recognized that it isn’t entirely “the economy stupid.” One way to win in November may be through discrediting Barack Obama’s foreign policy. While ripe for attack, foreign policy isn’t usually the basis for winning or […]

Elections Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Apr 5, 2012

Who Will Bear the Cost of NATO’s Exit from Afghanistan? Ask Afghan Women

By Ahmad Waheed Andrea Barbara Baumann and Geety Samadi

In the run-up to NATO’s 2012 Chicago summit, Alliance members look ever more determined to leave Afghanistan sooner rather than later. In spite of the flurry of media reports, recent security incidents involving members of both the Afghan and the American security forces can be considered tragic exceptions. They nevertheless fuel the argument that little […]

Afghanistan NATO

New Atlanticist

Apr 4, 2012

Obama Must Reset Relations with Russia Along Economic Lines

By Fran Burwell and Svante Cornell

As Vladimir Putin prepares for his May inauguration and return to the Russian presidency, the United States must design a new relationship with this often difficult leader and his country. The “Russian Reset” of President Obama’s first term sought to overcome the strain in relations of recent years in order to achieve some specific foreign […]

Russia

New Atlanticist

Apr 4, 2012

Scowcroft: NATO Future as UN Security Force

By James Joyner

General Brent Scowcroft argues that NATO’s Libya intervention may point to the future of the military alliance as the go-to enforcer of UN Security Council resolutions.

International Organizations Libya

New Atlanticist

Apr 4, 2012

The Ripple Effect of the Arab Spring and Weapon Proliferation

By Joanna Buckley

The Arab Awakening has advanced democracy through the Middle East and North Africa but the ripple effects created by the leak of military weaponry into surrounding unstable and conflict areas pose long-term national and regional security implications.  This should be a critical factor for the international community when weighing potential intervention.

Libya Syria

New Atlanticist

Apr 3, 2012

Syrian Opposition Must Prove It Can Handle Foreign Funds

By Barbara Slavin

In the aftermath of its latest meeting with international supporters, the opposition Syrian National Council (SNC) faces a crucial test: whether it can spend millions of dollars in foreign aid efficiently and without corruption.  Syria analysts and SNC members concede that the council has been slow to organize behind a single leader or vision to […]

International Organizations Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Apr 3, 2012

Brent Scowcroft Assesses the US-China Relationship

By Sarwar Kashmeri

In the latest edition of the New Atlanticist Podcast Series, General Brent Scowcroft discusses managing the US-China relationship with Sarwar Kashmeri, senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, and offers his personal observations on China’s President-in-waiting Xi Jinping following his visit to the United States in February.

Load More