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

Jul 26, 2011

New Challenges – New Nato

By Gábor Iklódy

In early August, a new division started its work in NATO’s International Staff. In itself, this may not appear particularly noteworthy. Large bureaucracies re‑shuffling their outfit from time to time is not exactly headline-grabbing stuff. But this time, things are different.

NATO Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Jul 25, 2011

EU and US Face Economic, Leadership Crises

By James Joyner

European leaders have put another Band Aid on the Greek sovereign debt crisis while America’s leaders are trying to stave off a self-inflicted financial default. Meanwhile, pundits are credulous that the leaders won’t actually lead. Tufts international political economy expert Daniel Drezner notes that this affliction is especially strong among his fellow foreign policy wonks: To those who […]

Economy & Business European Union

New Atlanticist

Jul 25, 2011

Greek Rescue Package Kicks Can Down The Road Yet Again

By Hugh De Santis

Last Thursday’s bailout of Greece by the principal actors in the sovereign debt crisis –France, Germany, and the European Central Bank – has buoyed the spirits of European credit and stock markets. But the agreement does little more than paper over Europe’s sovereign debt crisis. It neither resolves Greece’s inability to pay its debts nor […]

Economy & Business European Union

New Atlanticist

Jul 23, 2011

Breaking News, Instant Analysis, and the Oslo Attacks

By James Joyner

The death toll in Norway’s deadliest day of terrorism is up to 91. The man behind it, 32-year-old Anders Behring Breivik, is a frequent poster of anti-Muslim screeds on Christian fundamentalist websites. AP (“91 killed in Norway island massacre, capital blast“): A Norwegian dressed as a police officer gunned down at least 84 people at an island […]

Northern Europe

New Atlanticist

Jul 22, 2011

Self-Inflicted Wounds: West Forfeiting Global Leadership

By Alexei Monsarrat

Maybe it’s the heat here in Washington, but the news from Brussels and down the street from Congress leaves my mind baffled and my blood boiling. While Europe has ended the week slightly ahead of the United States in restoring confidence that maybe they won’t let their economy tank, it still feels an awful lot […]

Economy & Business European Union

New Atlanticist

Jul 22, 2011

Terrorism in Oslo?

By James Joyner

A bomb blast in Oslo’s government center has killed at least two people and a presumably related shooting spree at a nearby children’s camp are being investigated as terrorist related. The center of the Norwegian capital Oslo was a scene of devastation on Friday afternoon following a violent explosion which killed at least two people and injured […]

Northern Europe

New Atlanticist

Jul 22, 2011

Heart of Transition in Herat

By William B. Caldwell IV

Yesterday, it was my honor to represent NATO and ISAF at the transition ceremony in the western Afghan city of Herat. Herat is Afghanistan’s third largest city and one of its oldest; founded 2,700 years ago, Herat still serves as an important link among the Middle East, Central Asia, and South Asia. Alongside landmarks of […]

Afghanistan NATO

New Atlanticist

Jul 22, 2011

Cyber Statecraft: Best and Worst Headlines

By Jason Healey

In the emerging world of “cyber” reporting, accurate headlines are less common than unicorns. This blog, the first of a recurring series, will highlight the single best and many worst headlines about cyber statecraft for the second quarter of 2011. If it seems unfair to you to have only one winner, but many losers, then you […]

Cybersecurity Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Jul 21, 2011

Has Libya Killed Off Denuclearization of North Korea?

By Banning Garrett

An unnoted consequence of the NATO military effort to topple the Gaddafi regime may be any hope of eventual denuclearization of North Korea or Iran. The September 2005 denuclearization agreement with North Korea made security guarantees to Pyongyang in exchange for verifiable elimination of nuclear weapons. The North Koreans signed, but promptly shunned the deal […]

Libya

New Atlanticist

Jul 21, 2011

Bitter Divides Persist Below Bahrain’s Relatively Calm Surface

By Barbara Slavin

When Bahraini ambassador Houda Ezra Nonoo arrived in Washington three years ago, she was greeted as the representative of a close U.S. ally with a reputation for more openness and tolerance than most Gulf nations.

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