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.

Defining the Defense Problem in an Age of Austerity

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.

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Defining the Defense Problem in an Age of Austerity

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

Defining the Defense Problem in an Age of Austerity

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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Content

New Atlanticist

Aug 18, 2011

Defining the Defense Problem in an Age of Austerity

By Derek Reveron

With the intent to reduce the US defense budget over the next ten years by $350 billion, Einstein offers sage advice when thinking about major problems. “If I had only one hour to save the world, I would spend fifty-five minutes defining the problem, and only five minutes finding the solution.” The problem in this case is not […]

New Atlanticist

Aug 17, 2011

Droning on in Afghanistan

By Sarwar Kashmeri

A century ago, gunboats enforced England’s dominance in the far corners of the world. Kill a British colonial governor and you’d wake up one morning to see a Royal Navy gunboat steaming in over the horizon, guns blazing, as it leveled a village in retaliation. Today it is the drone — the ubiquitous pilotless airplane […]

Afghanistan Drones

New Atlanticist

Aug 17, 2011

Ramazan’s Lost Chance for an Afghan Truce

By Maleeha Lodhi

A slew of questions were raised when a Chinook helicopter was shot down on 6 August in Afghanistan ’s Wardak province killing 30 US servicemen – most of them elite Navy seals – and eight Afghans. Will the heaviest loss of American lives in a single incident since 2001 heighten doubts about the Afghan mission […]

Afghanistan

New Atlanticist

Aug 17, 2011

The Most Dangerous Quadrant

By Harlan Ullman

The global economy is adrift in what could be a perfect storm fueled by a drought of growth and consumer demand, tidal waves of debt and deficit and a European banking system that is sinking.

Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Aug 16, 2011

The Chinese Join the Aircraft Carrier Club … But Are They Willing to Pay the Dues?

By Michael Hannan

The global media spun into a frenzy over the past week concerning the Chinese People’s Liberation Army – Navy (PLAN) sending their first aircraft carrier (the ex-Soviet warship VARYAG) out for sea trials. Some may argue this action is indicative of a new dawn of Chinese carrier forces; the first step towards a fleet of […]

China

New Atlanticist

Aug 16, 2011

Belarus: Power Failure Again

By Boyko Nitzov

For many years now, the West has dealt with Belarus in a way that implies that using carrots will eventually eliminate the need for sticks. It is time to abandon this false hope and deal with the reality of a failed dictatorial regime. By virtue of a treaty which Belarus and Russia signed and ratified […]

Belarus

New Atlanticist

Aug 16, 2011

Facing Global Threats Once More as United Nations

By Dan Plesch

The world once again teeters on the brink of catastrophe, just as it did in the middle of the 20th century. Today, we face much more subtle threats – such as economic instability, climate change, weapons proliferation, and food shortages — than simply an axis of World War II adversaries. However, as with Hitler a […]

United States and Canada

New Atlanticist

Aug 15, 2011

New Iran Sanctions Could Bring Unintended Blowback

By Barbara Slavin

A new Congressional push to sanction Iran’s Central Bank is aimed at reducing Iranian oil revenues, but could backfire and hurt the global economy. On Tuesday, the Wall Street Journal disclosed a letter to the White House signed by 92 senators urging the Barack Obama administration to place new restrictions on dealings with the bank […]

Economy & Business Iran

New Atlanticist

Aug 15, 2011

NATO and the Afghan Surge

By William B. Caldwell IV

Five months ago, Senators Carl Levin and Jack Reed wrote in the Washington Post, “the best way to bring our troops home sooner while succeeding in Afghanistan is to build a stronger Afghan military and government.” Since we stood up the NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan over 21 months ago, we can say that developing the Afghan […]

Afghanistan NATO

New Atlanticist

Aug 12, 2011

“About Time, Mr President.” The Atlantic Charter Then and Now

By Julian Lindley-French

Blois, France. 14 August, 2011. Seventy years ago today President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill met for the first time off the Canadian coast. “About time, Mr President”, said as the two men met. What emerged from that fateful meeting was the “Joint Declaration by the President and the Prime Minister”, which was soon […]

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