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

Feb 10, 2011

Atlantic Update 2/10/11

By Jason Harmala

Russia and NATO discuss anti-missile defense, and French judges continue to strike in response to President Sarkozy’s criticisms.

New Atlanticist

Feb 9, 2011

Atlantic Update 2/9/11

By Jason Harmala

NATO appoints a new Senior Civilian Representative in Afghanistan, and the EU responds to the situations in Egypt and Sudan.

New Atlanticist

Feb 9, 2011

Cairo Bomb; Lahore IED

By Harlan Ullman

Two ticking packages slipped into the White House. One is the situation in Egypt that, if not handled carefully especially in Cairo as well as in Washington, could be the bomb that explodes the Middle East. The other package is IED-like — an improvised explosive device — lurking in Lahore. If that goes off, the […]

New Atlanticist

Feb 8, 2011

Atlantic Update 2/8/11

By Jason Harmala

NATO announces the cost of its new headquarters to be €1billion, Russia speaks against the militarization of the Arctic, and EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton plans a visit to Egypt.

New Atlanticist

Feb 8, 2011

Piracy Presents Opportunity for NATO-Russia Cooperation

By Ronak Desai

Combating the scourge of maritime piracy has emerged as a promising area of cooperation between NATO and the Russian Federation. During last month’s annual NATO-Russia Council (NRC) meeting, Moscow’s Ambassador to NATO, Dmitry Rogozin, called for “detailed discussions” on how best to coordinate counter-piracy efforts off the Somali coast, and proposed organizing NATO-Russian naval patrols […]

New Atlanticist

Feb 8, 2011

Wildfire in the Middle East

By David Smith

Last December 17, fruit vendor Mohamed Bouazizi set himself aflame to protest his humiliation and beating at the hands of corrupt officials in Tunisia. This sparked a wildfire that smoked Tunisian strongman Zine el-Abedine Ben Ali out of office and, at this writing, appears to be spreading across the Middle East, from Mauritania to Yemen. Its extent […]

New Atlanticist

Feb 7, 2011

The IdealoRealist Moment

By Frederick Kempe

Perhaps the most positive outcome of the Munich Security Conference that ended Sunday was the blurring of the lines between realism and idealism–often considered irreconcilable approaches to U.S. foreign policy–when it comes to Egypt in particular and the Middle East more broadly. What appears to be emerging is what I would call “IdealoRealism.” In short, […]

New Atlanticist

Feb 7, 2011

Frank Wisner on Mubarak: Gaffe or Conflict of Interest?

By James Joyner

Frank Wisner, President Barack Obama’s envoy to Cairo who generated controversy over the weekend by declaring that Egypt’s Hosni "Mubarak must stay in office" to facilitate a smooth transition, has been recalled following revelations that he has financial ties to Mubarak’s regime. The Independent’s Robert Fisk broke the news that Wisner is a lead attorney at the […]

New Atlanticist

Feb 7, 2011

A More Optimistic Davos

By Richard Edelman

I have come down from the mountains for the twelfth time, with my head still aching not from excessive partying but from information overload at the World Economic Forum. Imagine being invited to an all you can eat buffet, with the most delectable foods laid before you, but with an unrealistic ten minute time limit […]

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

New Atlanticist

Feb 7, 2011

The Power of Planning

By Kenneth Weisbrode

The predictable round of American finger-pointing over the crisis in Egypt has already begun. Senator Dianne Feinstein and others are demanding to know why the CIA did not warn the president that such a crisis was about to happen. Perennial critics of the intelligence community are busy recalling such failures of the past. Once again […]

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