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

Jun 2, 2011

Shining Citadel Redux

By Arnaud de Borchgrave

In Jan. 1981, when Ronald Reagan was sworn in as the 40th U.S. president, he declared the federal budget to be out of control. The deficit had reached $74 billion, and the federal debt was at $930 billion. Mr. Reagan said a stack of $1,000 bills equivalent to what Uncle Sam owed would be 67 […]

New Atlanticist

Jun 2, 2011

Netanyahu, U.S. Interests, and the Peace Process

By Hugh De Santis

Only a fool could believe that Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, whatever he says to the contrary, has any interest in reviving the all-but-dead peace talks with the Palestinians. His persisting intractability, amply on display in his May 20 press conference with President Barack Obama and in his unctuous speech to the Congress four days later, […]

New Atlanticist

Jun 2, 2011

Time for an Embargo on Reset Policy

By David Smith

When even a handful of demonstrators take to Tbilisi streets, residents of the Georgian capital wonder whether Russia will seize upon a pretext for further aggression against Georgia. And, they ask, what lies between us and the Russian tanks that occupy the Georgian region of South Ossetia, just 40 kilometers away? The answer: a diligent and proud […]

New Atlanticist

Jun 2, 2011

Atlantic Update 06/02/11

By HuiHui Ooi

Europe considers imposing trade and arm bans on Yemen if President Saleh refuses to step down, and reacts to the arrest and extradition of Ratko Mladic. The European Central Bank tackles EU’s economic issues.

New Atlanticist

Jun 1, 2011

The 79th Day

By Harlan Ullman

Next Tuesday marks the 79th day of NATO’s military campaign to protect Libyan civilians and force Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi to abdicate power. A dozen years ago, 78 days were required to compel then Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic to withdraw his army from Kosovo. The comparison is inexact as both crises are quite different. But, […]

New Atlanticist

Jun 1, 2011

Auschwitz

By Julian Lindley-French

Sunday, I walked in Auschwitz – Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau. I walked before the walls of Elysium, the final resting place of the heroic and virtuous. I paid my respects to people, not numbers. Three of whom spoke to me – Anne Kraus, Hana Weisenkind, and Berta Eppinghausen. They spoke to me not because […]

New Atlanticist

Jun 1, 2011

Berlin 1961: The East German Refugee Who Became a Beauty Queen

By Frederick Kempe

She was East German leader Walter Ulbricht’s ultimate humiliation in a year when a hemorrhage of refugees was threatening the existence of his Communist state. As Ulbricht maneuvered behind the scenes to win Soviet approval to close his Berlin border, one of his refugees was strutting down the catwalk of a Miami Beach stage in […]

New Atlanticist

May 31, 2011

Pakistan Has a Mountain to Climb

By Shuja Nawaz

In an interview with Ullekh NP of The Economic Times, Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center Director Shuja Nawaz warns that attacks on soft targets are going to rise rapidly in the subcontinent.

New Atlanticist

May 31, 2011

Select Foreign Response to the U.S. International Cyber Strategy

By Jason Healey

The Obama Administration’s International Cyber Strategy, launched last week, was met by the Russian and Chinese press with a mix of generally negative reactions. The most negative were rooted in skepticism and mistrust about U.S. motives as well as perceived hypocrisy underlying the proposed cyber standards.

Cybersecurity Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

May 31, 2011

Time for Peace Talks

By Maleeha Lodhi

In more ways than one, Osama bin Laden’s death has changed the dynamic in the region and offered a new opportunity to pursue a political settlement to end the almost decade long war in Afghanistan. Bin Laden’s killing by a covert American mission has injected unprecedented strains in the long troubled Pakistan-US relationship. But in […]

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