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

Sep 22, 2011

The Arab Spring: Libya and Syria

By Don Snow

Libya and Syria have become the poster children for the varied impacts that the so-called Arab Spring have had on the Islamic Middle East. They are not the most important countries to have undergone changes (Egypt, the outcome of whose upheaval remains a work in progress, can claim that distinction), but they do represent the […]

Libya Syria

New Atlanticist

Sep 21, 2011

Breakthrough or Just Broken? China and Russia’s UNGA Proposal on Cyber Norms

By Jason Healey

China and Russia just dropped a surprising draft resolution at the United Nations General Assembly.

China International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Sep 21, 2011

America Don’t Get No Respect

By Harlan Ullman

The late American comedian Rodney Dangerfield’s signature line was “I don’t get no respect.” Dangerfield’s routine was packed with jokes about how anything from inanimate objects such as refrigerators to children and pets managed to disrespect him. Today, sadly, is the United States becoming a global Rodney Dangerfield? No matter where one looks, America ain’t […]

New Atlanticist

Sep 20, 2011

Two Viktors and Two “Signals”

By Taras Kuzio

A Kyiv court was set to sentence opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko to a lengthy prison sentence last week but unexpectedly the trial was postponed to September 27 after the US and EU sent strong warnings to the Viktor Yanukovych administration to halt these politically motivated trials. Not coincidentally the postponement is until only two days […]

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Sep 20, 2011

US in a Bind Over Palestine’s Bid for UN Recognition

By Barbara Slavin

The Palestinian drive for statehood status at the United Nations injects new uncertainty into an already volatile Middle East, threatening to further isolate Israel and diminish already dwindling U.S. influence in the region. Barring some last-minute breakthrough that would revive negotiations or otherwise advance their national aspirations, Palestinian officials appear bent on seeking, at a […]

International Organizations Middle East

New Atlanticist

Sep 19, 2011

What Palestine’s UN Bid Means for Middle East Peace

By Hugh De Santis

The Palestinian bid for statehood at this week’s United Nations General Assembly meeting could well trigger the perfect storm in the Middle East. As if the tempestuous relations between Israel and the Palestinians needed added turbulence, Turkey has entered the fray as the defender of the Palestinians and aspiring leader of the Arab-Islamic world. Increasingly marginalized in […]

International Organizations Middle East

New Atlanticist

Sep 19, 2011

A Transatlantic Weakness to Avoid

By Carles Castello-Catchot

The transatlantic community is weaker and more divided than it has been in a century, sending shockwaves through a world accustomed to seeing the US and the EU lead by example on a global scale.

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Sep 19, 2011

Afghanistan Now a Pointless War?

By Arnaud de Borchgrave

We should have declared the Afghan war won last May 3, the day after a U.S. SEAL team killed Osama bin Laden and buried him in the Arabian Sea. That was the advice given in Washington last week by a former spy chief who played a key role in the Saudi-Pakistan-U.S. alliance that defeated the […]

Afghanistan

New Atlanticist

Sep 16, 2011

As Iran Edges Closer to Nukes

By Barbara Slavin

One country is likely to get increasing attention during the presidential campaign: Iran. So it is important to frame the debate about Iran correctly — without hyping or underestimating the possibility it will get nuclear weapons in the near future. Compared to four countries that have developed nuclear weapons outside international norms — Israel, India, […]

New Atlanticist

Sep 16, 2011

A Modest Proposal for Pan-European Defense

By Nikolas Gvosdev

The idea of intra-alliance military specialization in Europe is attractive in theory, but problematic in practice. Instead, officials should pursue a two-tiered pan-European defense force, which would facilitate deployment beyond Europe and improve effeciency using economies of scale. The recent candid remarks by Stefan Wallin, Finland’s defense minister, that conditions of growing austerity might require […]

European Union International Organizations

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