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

Stay updated

Explore our unique analysis

Fast Thinking

When major global news breaks, the Atlantic Council’s experts have you covered—delivering their sharpest rapid insight and forward-looking analysis direct to your inbox.

Experts React

Dive deep into developing stories, guided by continually updated expert analysis that leaves you better informed about the most pressing global issues behind the headlines.

Markup

Our experts decipher and annotate major speeches and policy documents to break down big ideas and lay them out in plain language.

New Atlanticist

May 4, 2011

2011 Awards Dinner Highlights

By James Joyner

The 2011 Atlantic Council Annual Awards Dinner launched the Council’s 50th anniversary celebration in style, providing an evening of transatlantic luminaries, thoughtful conversation, and world class music—and some exciting news about the Council’s future.

New Atlanticist

May 4, 2011

Atlantic Update 5/4/11

By Klee Aiken

The European Union becomes "almost" a full member of the United Nations, gaining the rights to speak on the floor of the General Assembly, submit amendments, and make proposals. Portugal receives its bail out and Europe’s reaction to the death of Osama bin Laden is analyzed.

New Atlanticist

May 3, 2011

Cyber Workforce Ferris Wheel

By Jason Healey

There is nothing "new" in recent reports of gaps in the United States government’s cyber security workforce as numerous commissions and reports have identified the problem and solutions for over a decade. We remain stuck in a Ferris wheel of our own making and worse, mistaking movement for progress. A recently released report by […]

New Atlanticist

May 3, 2011

The Pakistan Dilemma

By Shuja Nawaz

U.S. President Barack Obama’s announcement yesterday about Osama bin Laden’s death in Abbottabad, Pakistan raises questions about the health of the U.S.-Pakistani relationship. Pakistan seems to have helped the United States track down bin Laden’s lair, as Obama acknowledged. But it is unclear whether Pakistan was involved in planning the mission that brought U.S. Special […]

New Atlanticist

May 3, 2011

Is Britain a Pocket Superpower or Super-Belgium?

By Julian Lindley-French

Oh no, not again! The BBC’s Robert Peston has discovered that the two currently under construction and now infamous British aircraft carriers, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales will cost more than originally envisaged. One outlier estimate has the cost as high as £10bn, rather than the £3.9bn budgeted for. This is apparently […]

United Kingdom

New Atlanticist

May 3, 2011

Cartoon: Osama Hiding Where?

By James Joyner

Cartoonist John Cole of the Scranton Times-Tribune offers this cartoon as commentary on yesterday’s big news

New Atlanticist

May 2, 2011

After Bin Laden: The Future of the US-Pakistan Relationship

By Shuja Nawaz

"Over the years, I’ve repeatedly made clear that we would take action within Pakistan if we knew where bin Laden was. That is what we’ve done. But it’s important to note that our counterterrorism cooperation with Pakistan helped lead us to bin Laden and the compound where he was hiding. Indeed, bin Laden had declared […]

New Atlanticist

May 2, 2011

Al Qaeda’s franchises after Osama Bin Laden

By J. Peter Pham

The death of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden at the hands of Navy SEALs brings to a close a chapter that began more than fifteen years ago when the terrorist group declared war on the United States. As President Barack Obama noted in his address to the nation, “Justice has been done.” While pundits […]

Africa Extremism

New Atlanticist

May 2, 2011

Osama Bin Laden is Dead; Al Qaeda Isn’t

By James Joyner

Killing Osama bin Laden after all these years is a tremendous achievement for America’s military and intelligence community and for President Obama.

New Atlanticist

May 2, 2011

Atlantic Update 5/2/11

By Klee Aiken

Europe reacts with "relief" to the death of Osama bin Laden as Germany questions its anti-terror laws. Austria and Germany have opened their borders and MEPs suggest Romania and Bulgaria are technically ready to join Schengen, whilst the European Union considers reinstating border checks and Poland uncovers Dutch plans to expel EU citizens.

Share

Issue briefs and reports