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

Mar 4, 2011

Libyan Ides of March?

By Arnaud de Borchgrave

In the wake of a trillion-dollar war that gave Iran more say than the United States in Iraq’s future, and the longest war in U.S. history in Afghanistan that seems headed for another trillion dollars and is yet to shrink the Taliban insurgency, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates wisely said those who would want to […]

New Atlanticist

Mar 4, 2011

An Arab Strategy? Not as Hopeless as You Think

By Kenneth Weisbrode

“What is to be done?” The famous words of Lenin echo during revolutionary moments like the one now taking place across the Middle East. To the chagrin of many commentators, leaders of the United States and most of Europe have reacted with caution, even passivity, to the dramatic events of what is already being called […]

New Atlanticist

Mar 3, 2011

Needed: A Vision for the China-U.S. Relationship

By Banning Garrett

What kind of relationship will China and the United States have in ten years? Will it be primarily cooperative and collaborative in the face of the foreseeable – and unforeseeable – challenges the world will face? Or will the two countries drift toward strategic rivalry and hostile competition? During Chinese President Hu Jintao’s state visit […]

New Atlanticist

Mar 3, 2011

Three Horsemen of the New Apocalypse

By Harlan Ullman

What a world! Much of North Africa remains roiled with mass protests against autocratic or crazed leaders. One predictable result has been skyrocketing oil prices with potentially adverse consequences for recovering economies. And, in the United States, a possible shutdown of government looms because America’s two political parties prefer to indulge in a game of […]

New Atlanticist

Mar 3, 2011

Atlantic Update 3/3/11: Transatlantic Perspectives Toward Libya

By Klee Aiken

As the situation in Libya continues to unravel, the transatlantic community is under pressure to develop a cohesive and timely response to what is quickly becoming a humanitarian as well as political crisis. Split priorities and divergent interests have, for now, left the international community with limited tools and policies to bring a peaceful resolution […]

New Atlanticist

Mar 2, 2011

Sikorski: West Must Offer Principled, Generous Hand to Freedom Fighters

By James Joyner

Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski believes that there are many parallels between the freedom movements spreading across North Africa today and the fall of Communism in Eastern Europe. And he calls on the West should do everything in its power to help those people to achieve the success of his.

Libya Poland

New Atlanticist

Mar 2, 2011

McCain: Libya No-Fly Zones? Of Course!

By James Joyner

Senator John McCain declared tonight that the United States and its democratic partners have a duty to stand with those fighting against tyranny in North Africa, the Middle East, and Central Europe. That support must go beyond words to deeds, including an immediate no-fly zone over Libya to prevent further atrocities.

Libya Poland

New Atlanticist

Mar 2, 2011

Atlantic Update 3/2/11

By Jason Harmala

France and Germany reshuffle their top cabinet positions, while the U.S., UK, and Russia disagree over the proposal to create a no-fly zone over Libya.

New Atlanticist

Mar 1, 2011

Democracy and Human Rights: Rethinking U.S. Foreign Policy

By Susan Ball

As we craft our responses to rapidly unfolding and changing circumstances in the Middle East and contemplate how best to support the region’s aspirations for basic freedoms and rights, we also need to step back and consider lessons learned for U.S. policymakers going forward. Perhaps more important than asking why we didn’t predict the cascade […]

New Atlanticist

Mar 1, 2011

A Tale of Two Dictators

By Don Snow

Neighboring Egypt and Libya are two very different places in many respects. Egypt’s historical pedigree is one of the oldest, and it is among the world’s civilizations, whereas Libya has historically been someplace that others occupied: the Carthaginians, Romans, Vandals, Ottomans, Italians, and after World War II, the British and the French. Egypt has also […]

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