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

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New Atlanticist

Mar 10, 2011

The Shark Stops Swimming

By Barbara Slavin

Iranian politics increasingly resemble a brutal game of musical chairs. Last month, two former senior politicians who ran against President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in 2009 disappeared into political detention. On Tuesday, March 8, Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani — a former president and for three decades one of Iran’s most powerful politicians — lost his post as […]

New Atlanticist

Mar 10, 2011

30 Seconds Over Tripoli

By Harlan Ullman

“A mind is a terrible thing to lose,” U.S. Vice President Dan Quayle once Malapropped in a mistaken reference to the NAACP’s slogan that a mind is a terrible thing to waste. But Quayle’s remark applies to the U.S. debate about whether to impose a “no-fly zone” over Libya and perhaps dislodge Moammar Qaddafi from […]

New Atlanticist

Mar 10, 2011

Atlantic Update 3/10/11

By Jason Harmala

NATO defense ministers meet in Brussels to discuss the situation in Libya, and France recognizes the Libyan rebel leadership as the country’s legitimate government.

New Atlanticist

Mar 9, 2011

No Ordinary Meeting

By Ivo Daalder

When U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates meets with our 27 Allies this week, it will be no ordinary affair. Their focus this week: Libya, Afghanistan, and historic reform at NATO itself. It’s the first time all of NATO‘s Defense Ministers will meet since the 28 Leaders of the Alliance set forth in November at the NATO […]

New Atlanticist

Mar 9, 2011

Germany Tops World Influence Ratings; Iran Last

By Derek Reveron

As a consequence of globalization, many countries increasingly show concern with how they are perceived in the world. Perception impacts both material benefits like foreign direct investment levels and non-material things like national esteem. To improve perception, countries seek to enhance their appeal or soft power through aid programs, cultural exchanges or hosting international sporting […]

New Atlanticist

Mar 9, 2011

Atlantic Update 3/9/11

By Jason Harmala

The Irish Republic swears in Enda Kenny as its new leader, and Europe continues to debate over action in Libya.

New Atlanticist

Mar 8, 2011

West Fighting Libya Intervention Calls—For Now

By James Joyner

Pressures on the United States and NATO to intervene in the ongoing crisis in Libya are growing. Thus far, Western leaders are resisting. A week ago, Senator John McCain called for an immediate no-fly zone in an address to the Atlantic Council. At least two of his heavyweight colleagues, Joe Lieberman and John Kerry, have […]

New Atlanticist

Mar 8, 2011

Atlantic Update 3/8/11

By Jason Harmala

The West remains divided on Libya and the possiblity of a no-fly zone, Hungary amends its controversial media law, and delegates from Serbia and Kosovo meet in Brussels for the first time since 2008.

New Atlanticist

Mar 8, 2011

Middle East: Lots of Challenges; One Big Opportunity

By David Smith

Something big is happening in the Middle East—precisely what is yet unclear. Unfolding developments and thoughtful analysis will no doubt tarnish some of the instant western labels affixed to the unrest—democratic wildfire, first Twitter revolution, etc. It may emerge that a major causal factor was food inflation exported from the first world to dead-end Middle Eastern economies.

New Atlanticist

Mar 7, 2011

Atlantic Update 3/7/11

By Jason Harmala

France’s finance ministry reels from a massive cyber attack, NATO shows no intention of intervening in Libya, and the captured British MI6 and SAS officers were released by Libyan rebel commanders.

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