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 21, 2011

Lions Led by Donkeys?

By Julian Lindley-French

German First World War Generalissimo Ludendorff reportedly said of his British enemies: “The English Generals are wanting in strategy. We should have no chance if they possessed as much science as their officers and men had of courage and bravery. They are lions led by donkeys.” That strategy word again. When I rule the world […]

United Kingdom

New Atlanticist

Jul 20, 2011

Is NATO Ready to Win Libya?

By James Joyner

If NATO has a plan for achieving victory in Libya, it has been well disguised. Regardless, the world’s most powerful military alliance will surely somehow, some day prevail over a besieged dictator with little support. But is NATO prepared for what happens when they win? Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen took to Twitter last week […]

Libya NATO

New Atlanticist

Jul 20, 2011

Cyber Leadership Gap Looms at DoD

By Jason Healey

The Department of Defense has just crossed a major milestone, finally releasing their new “Cyber 3.0” Strategy for Operating in Cyberspace as well as having been deeply involved in the White House’s International Strategy for Cyberspace.

Cybersecurity Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Jul 20, 2011

An Effective, Affordable Uncommon Defense

By Harlan Ullman

Intense debate over what the United States can or will do regarding its massive debt and deficits along with its drawdowns from Afghanistan and Iraq, possibly tempered by the Libyan fiasco, will put defense spending under political and public microscopes. This is the first of a series of columns that examine this question and what […]

New Atlanticist

Jul 19, 2011

Drop by Drop, A River is Formed: Transition Begins in Afghanistan

By William B. Caldwell IV

Over the next week, lead security responsibility in Afghanistan will shift from NATO to the Afghan Army and Police in seven areas: the provinces of Bamiyan, Panjshir, Kabul (minus Sarobi District) and the municipalities of Mazar e-Sharif, Herat, Lashkar Gah, and Mehtar Lam. President Karzai trumpeted this important decision earlier this year and offered a […]

Afghanistan

New Atlanticist

Jul 19, 2011

Cyber Statecraft: Linking Geeks and Wonks to Respond to National Security Incidents

By Jason Healey

There are many reasons why cyber conflict is considered an awkward and destabilizing national security problem. One of the more overlooked is the gap between the technical elite and senior politicians and policymakers, a disconnect that could become tragic during fast-moving cyber conflicts.

Cybersecurity Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Jul 19, 2011

Afghanistan’s Women Face a Dangerous and Uncertain Future

By Anna Borshchevskaya

As President Obama announced his decision to withdraw 33,000 U.S. troops from Afghanistan by next summer, the Taliban vowed to continue fighting and dismissed as “symbolic” Obama’s withdrawal announcement. “There is no negotiation with the United States or with any other countries and we deny any report about such kind of peace talks,” said Taliban […]

Afghanistan

New Atlanticist

Jul 18, 2011

Mr. President, Time to Stop Digging Yourself Into a Hole

By David Kramer-Damon Wilson and Robert Nurick

David J. Kramer, Damon Wilson and Robert Nurick write: Relentless prosecutions of Tymoshenko, other Yanukovych opponents lack credibility.

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Jul 18, 2011

Language Cuts Endanger US

By Madeleine Albright and Chuck Hagel

On May 1, after more than a decade, the search for Osama bin Laden came to an end. It took patience and perseverance. And it took not only military prowess, but also intelligence that depended on a solid understanding of that region of the world and capabilities in a number of foreign languages that are […]

United States and Canada

New Atlanticist

Jul 18, 2011

French Diplomacy as it Evolves from the G8 to the G20

By Ralph Winnie

Traditionally, French diplomacy has been dominated by almost exclusive representation of the French aristocracy who controlled the selection and promotion processes of French diplomatic service. It is interesting to note that rising up through this system was Jean David Levitte, currently the top advisor to President Nicolas Sarkozy, who became the first foreign born president […]

France

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