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
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.

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

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

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

Mar 24, 2011

Libya: The View from Germany

By Natascha Braumann

Almost a week after Germany’s abstention in the UN Security Council, the domestic political debate is as heated as ever. Lothar Rühl, writing in Wednesday’s Frankfurter Allgemeiner Zeitung, summarizes the confusion and disharmony among NATO allies over the establishment and enforcement of a no-fly zone over Libya. And, almost as an afterthought, he claims that […]

New Atlanticist

Mar 24, 2011

Libya and Africa

By Peter Pham

As Western-led operations against forces loyal to Libya’s Colonel Muammar Gaddafi continue, most analysis in the media has situated events in the context of the developments in the Middle East and its impact on it. Largely forgotten, however, is that Libya is an African power whose fate has significant implications for the rest of the […]

New Atlanticist

Mar 24, 2011

Libyan Quagmire

By Arnaud de Borchgrave

Are we becoming the tribe that lost its head? The war to get rid of Moammar Gadhafi, the Libyan fashion plate wreck, is already running $100 million a day. The White House says it isn’t planning to request emergency funding — at least not yet. The Pentagon will have no choice in the matter. It […]

New Atlanticist

Mar 23, 2011

West’s Goal Must be Gaddafi’s Removal

By Kurt Volker

The launch of Western military operations to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1973 is long overdue, but nonetheless welcome: After weeks of delay, brutal attacks by the regime, and a loss of momentum for the rebellion, Colonel Gaddafi’s counter-revolution might now be halted.

International Organizations Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Mar 23, 2011

NATO’s Libya Command and Control Debate Explained

By James Joyner

A former official with long experience on NATO sends along a concise, if slightly tongue-in-cheek, guide to the intra-alliance debate over NATO’s role in Libya: The Italians want NATO to take over so they can avoid national responsibility (ie, tell their Arab friends "it’s not us, it’s NATO, so we don’t have a choice"). The […]

New Atlanticist

Mar 23, 2011

Atlantic Update 3/23/11: Transatlantic Perspectives Toward Libya

By Klee Aiken

The United States, France, and the United Kingdom have led the diplomatic and coalition effort against forces loyal to Colonel Gaddafi in Libya. However, wider coalition support and participation of the Arab League and the broader transatlantic community is essential for the Obama administration, which is keen on avoiding comparisons to the diplomatic rift caused […]

New Atlanticist

Mar 22, 2011

Libya: Why Turning on a Dime Made Sense

By Damon Wilson

Second-guessing is a Washington pastime. Critics are chastising the Obama administration for "turning on a dime" and, after much reluctance to become involved in Libya, moving too quickly to use force against the Gaddafi regime. They argue that the administration’s about-face last Tuesday night has resulted in a lack of clarity in the mission, minimal […]

New Atlanticist

Mar 22, 2011

Libya Primer: Who is In Charge of Allied Forces?

By Jorge Benitez

There is a lot of speculation and misunderstanding about the existing command and control structure for the international military operation in Libya. The truth in this case is not pretty and in flux. The command and control structure of the coalition is messy and complicated. But keep in mind that the current structure was created […]

New Atlanticist

Mar 21, 2011

Libya Fight Will Test Coalition Resolve

By James Joyner

The Arab League, whose call for action in Libya was a key factor in persuading President Obama to join France and the UK in fighting for an international military response, has quickly condemned said response. WaPo‘s Edward Cody ("Arab League condemns broad Western bombing campaign in Libya"): The Arab League secretary general, Amr Moussa, deplored […]

New Atlanticist

Mar 19, 2011

Libya Mission Creep Inevitable

By James Joyner

We’ll see, within days or perhaps even hours, what it is that the United States and its allies actually plan to do to enforce UN Security Council Resolution 1973, but there are already strong indications of what the intended policy is. Dave Schuler correctly notes that the Security Council Resolution on Libya "authorizes member states to act […]

Share

Issue briefs and reports