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.

Iran Hedges Its Bets on Syria

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

Iran Hedges Its Bets on Syria

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

Iran Hedges Its Bets on Syria

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

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New Atlanticist

Dec 16, 2011

Iran Hedges Its Bets on Syria

By Barbara Slavin

Iran is courting the opposition to Syrian President Bashar al- Assad, seeking to maintain a crucial alliance in the event that Assad falls. So far, Iranian officials have met at least twice with members of the National Coordinating Committee (NCC). The Damascus-based group opposes foreign intervention in Syria and advocates reform to resolve the nine-month-old […]

Iran Syria

New Atlanticist

Dec 16, 2011

A Week is a Long Time in High and Low Politics

By Julian Lindley-French

In 1964 former British Prime Minister Harold Wilson said, “A week is a long time in politics”. This has been a very long week for both high and low politics.

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Dec 16, 2011

Beware the Arab Spring

By Arnaud de Borchgrave

To those who hail the “Arab Spring” and the first free elections in Egypt in 60 years, a prominent Israeli responded, “Remember Mussolini, remember Hitler.”

New Atlanticist

Dec 15, 2011

Gates Renews Warning of Dim and Dismal Future for NATO

By Jorge Benitez

Former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has revisited perhaps the most controversial speech in his career.

NATO Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Dec 15, 2011

Unfinished Business

By Frank Klotz Susan Koch and Franklin Miller

In September 1991, President George H.W. Bush announced a series of sweeping measures fundamentally reshaping the American nuclear arsenal. One of them called for all U.S. ground-force tactical nuclear weapons to be returned from overseas bases and dismantled.

Nuclear Nonproliferation Russia

New Atlanticist

Dec 15, 2011

As China Rises, A New US Strategy

By Zbigniew Brzezinski

A great power that allows itself to be preoccupied only with the problems of today is likely to end up mired in the conflicts of yesterday. A great power must be guided by a longer-range strategic vision.

China
Robert Gates Brent Scowcroft Dinner Atlantic Council

New Atlanticist

Dec 14, 2011

Gates: Moderate Center Not Holding, American Strategy Imperiled

By James Joyner

Former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates bemoaned the “oversized egos and undersized backbones” of America’s political leaders, wishing more of them would emulate Brent Scowcroft’s “steadfast integrity, common decency, and moral and political courage” to deal with enormous global challenges.

New Atlanticist

Dec 13, 2011

Reset or No Reset? – This Was Never the Question!

By Daria Dylla

After a considerably long break from condemning the U.S. missile defense system, Moscow decided to recently remind Washington of its dissatisfaction with the program.

Missile Defense Russia

New Atlanticist

Dec 13, 2011

Saudi Arabia Nuclear Hedging

By Yoel Guzansky

Saudi Arabia’s announcement last week that it plans to build 16 nuclear reactors with a budget of more than $100 billion raises doubts about its nuclear ambitions.

Iran Nuclear Nonproliferation

New Atlanticist

Dec 12, 2011

The New US “Blueprint” for National Cyber Security

By Jason Healey

Two and a half years since President Obama announced that “America’s economic prosperity in the 21st century will depend on cybersecurity,” the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is finally launching their new cybersecurity strategy.

Cybersecurity Security & Defense
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