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
Sep 4, 2025

Dispatches from Damascus: The state of Syria’s postwar transition nine months after Assad’s fall

On a recent trip to the Syrian capital, Atlantic Council experts took note of how far the country has come since the Assad regime’s fall and what still needs to happen to secure peace and prosperity.

New Atlanticist
Aug 29, 2025

Twenty questions (and expert answers) about the negotiations to end Russia’s war in Ukraine

By
Atlantic Council experts

August saw a flurry of diplomatic activity to end Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. As September nears, Atlantic Council experts share their insights on what to expect next.

Conflict
Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

New Atlanticist
Aug 28, 2025

Germany wants to double its defense spending. Where should the money go?

By
Atlantic Council experts

After decades of Berlin underinvesting in its defense, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has plans to transform the Bundeswehr into Europe’s strongest military.

Defense Policy
Europe & Eurasia

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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.

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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.

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

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