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 7, 2011

American Dream or Americans Dreaming?

By Harlan Ullman

Sometimes, delusion, self-deception and outright denial can dominate the public’s psyche. As the U.S. economy stutters, unemployment refuses to budge and the 10th anniversary of September 11th looms, many Americans question or challenge the notion of the American Dream. For too many, that vision is, today, elusive or unobtainable. In compensation perhaps, America’s past successes […]

United States and Canada

New Atlanticist

Sep 6, 2011

Cyber Attacks Against NATO, Then and Now

By Jason Healey

Now that NATO’s Operation UNIFIED PROTECTOR over Libya is winding down, it is worth noting how few cyber incidents were directed in protest against the Alliance.

Cybersecurity NATO

New Atlanticist

Sep 6, 2011

Shanghai Cooperation Organization: Eurasian Security in the 21st Century

By Rafael Zhansultanov

As NATO draws down troops from Afghan soil, the continued fight in this beleaguered country and a possible resurgence of the Taliban pose three acute problems to Eurasian security: demographic decline, regional instability, and international terrorism. To cope with these challenges to peace in Eurasia, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization should take a more comprehensive role in […]

Afghanistan

New Atlanticist

Sep 2, 2011

Afghan Security Faces Long-Term Challenges

By Barbara Slavin

U.S.-led efforts to build Afghan security forces capable of preventing Taliban resurgence face a series of challenges, from the reluctance of southern Pashtuns to serve in a national army, to maintaining the billions of dollars in infrastructure and equipment provided by the U.S. and other foreign countries over the past decade. Brig. Gen. Guy “Tom” […]

Afghanistan

New Atlanticist

Sep 2, 2011

Global Con?

By Arnaud de Borchgrave

Were the United States, France, Britain, Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates — the NATO-led coalition that set out to overthrow Col. Moammar Gadhafi’s regime — snookered by al-Qaida? A preposterous scenario with some disturbing factual elements. In the early 1990s, when James Woolsey was the director of the CIA, Gadhafi appealed […]

Europe & Eurasia Libya

New Atlanticist

Sep 2, 2011

Tough Talk on Debt Crisis

By Hugh De Santis

Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke and IMF managing director Christine Lagarde have publicly chastised political leaders on both sides of the Atlantic for their failure to develop policies that stimulate economic growth. But given the political divisions in Europe and the US, their blunt talk is not likely to lead to policies that restart the rich […]

Economy & Business European Union

New Atlanticist

Sep 1, 2011

Rebuilding Libya

By Jason Pack and Katherine White

As the Libyan rebels continue to mop up resistance inside Tripoli and extend the nominal authority of the Transitional National Council to the rest of Libya, it is important to remember that the establishment of a new Libya will take time and face challenges even greater than those required to topple Gaddafi. Despite these immense […]

Libya

New Atlanticist

Sep 1, 2011

Euro Bonds: Hope for the Euro Zone

By Max Hirsch

Launched January 1, 2001 to create a stronger and more stable European economic union, the euro experiment is failing. To save it, member nations must go beyond a common currency and embrace a common economy by issuing a common interest euro bond. The ongoing crises in the Eurozone demonstrate the problems with having seventeen countries […]

Economy & Business European Union

New Atlanticist

Sep 1, 2011

Congress and the Cutter’s Blade

By Don Snow

After a month’s respite, in which the major political events have been the emergence of Cowboy Rick Perry in the GOP race and some sniping at President Obama for spending a week at Martha’s Vineyard, Congress will return to Washington next week. Like everyone else, I can hardly wait. Neither can your friends and neighbors […]

United States and Canada

New Atlanticist

Aug 31, 2011

How NATO is Perceived in Russia (or Lessons in Optimism)

By Robert Pszczel

Let us start with a few snapshots. Exhibit one – the Levada Center opinion poll conducted in January 2011 showed NATO being described as an adversary by 23 percent of Russians (Chechen rebels came first on that list with 43 percent, followed by USA with 28 percent).

NATO Russia

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