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

Stay updated

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.

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.

Markup

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

Content

New Atlanticist

Oct 27, 2011

Ukraine’s Future in Ten Stages

By Taras Kuzio

More than two weeks after Yulia Tymoshenko widely-condemned conviction on political charges, no price has been paid . The fact that European and American governments are discussing the possibility of visa black lists behind closed doors does not mean they will appear soon. As EU Ambassador Jose Manuel Pinto Teixeira said, “although closing the door […]

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Oct 26, 2011

Persistence Pays Off with “Rogue” Regimes

By Barbara Slavin

The United States and North Korea are resuming the joint search for U.S. soldiers still missing from the Korean War, one of the few positive areas of interaction between two countries estranged for more than 60 years. The announcement last week by the Pentagon came before two days of U.S.-North Korea talks in Geneva over […]

Korea

New Atlanticist

Oct 26, 2011

Threats to Iraq’s Democracy Extend Beyond Security

By Yuvaraj Sivalingam

President Obama’s announcement that the US troop presence in Iraq will come to an end in December sparked a debate not only over the wisdom of the decision but also the capacity of the Iraqi military and police to maintain law and order in the country. While security threats do pose a significant danger to Iraq’s […]

Iraq

New Atlanticist

Oct 26, 2011

Why Punishing Ukraine Only Hurts Reformers

By Dean Jackson

Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko was recently sentenced to seven years in prison at the close of a corruption trial which was roundly condemned as highly political and deeply unfair. The verdict met with disapproval both abroad and in Ukraine, where protests have been stymied by government security forces. Vitali Klitscko, leader of the […]

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Oct 26, 2011

Stupidity May Be the Answer

By Harlan Ullman

In the late 1930’s with the U.S. economy depressed and the march to world war seemingly irreversible, the great American humorist Will Rogers offered his solution to the dire times: Stupidity got us into this mess, he observed, and perhaps stupidity is the only way out! Taking his wisdom to heart, solutions that conventional wisdom […]

Pakistan

New Atlanticist

Oct 25, 2011

Leaving Iraq a Necessary Risk

By James Joyner

President Obama’s surprise announcement Friday that all US forces would leave Iraq in time to be home for the holidays has been roundly condemned. While there are real concerns about what happens next, there was no better alternative. American Security Project senior fellow Michael Cohen dismisses the critiques as “nakedly partisan talking points masquerading as policy disputes.” In some […]

Iraq

New Atlanticist

Oct 25, 2011

US Troop Deployment to Central Africa: Timing, Risks, and Rewards

By James Cook

Last week, President Obama sent a letter to Congress announcing the deployment of a “small number of combat equipped US forces to Central Africa in order to provide assistance for regional forces that are working towards the removal of Joseph Kony from the battlefield.”

New Atlanticist

Oct 25, 2011

Der Plan and the Onion: Under New Management

By Julian Lindley-French

There is something vaguely disturbing watching a Brussels European Onion summit from afar; especially when the topic is how to waste even more of my money. Watching a few with an awful lot of money in offshore tax havens (the Euro-Aristocracy) instructing a few others on huge tax-free salaries (the Onionistas of the European Omission) […]

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Oct 25, 2011

Azerbaijan’s Gas Gambit

By Borut Grgic

After splitting from the Soviet Union to chart its own path, Azerbaijan’s journey to present day energy pivot is sprinkled with moments of extreme humanitarian suffering, war, loss of territory, diplomatic uncertainty, and massive advancements in the energy sector. A recent discovery at the Absherone offshore field has elevated the estimated total amount of proven […]

Energy & Environment

New Atlanticist

Oct 24, 2011

Iraq: A Trillion Dollars Worth of Nothing

By Sarwar Kashmeri

For many Americans, news that the nearly 9-year-old war in Iraq is finally over will evoke feelings of relief but also revulsion. Relief, for the families of the military women and men that are coming home. And revulsion, for the officials and politicians that lacked the courage to prevent this unnecessary war. For me personally, […]

Iraq

Share

Issue briefs and reports