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

Nov 15, 2010

Obama’s Five Challenges at Lisbon

By Ian Brzezinski

On Friday, President Obama will convene with NATO and E.U. leaders in Lisbon. These summit meetings take place as the trans-Atlantic community is beleaguered by the war in Afghanistan, financial crises, and an increasing sense that the United States and Europe are drifting apart. If the president is to reinvigorate trans-Atlantic solidarity and U.S. leadership, […]

United States and Canada

New Atlanticist

Nov 15, 2010

NATO’s ‘Open Door’

By Leo Michel

Since 1999, 12 nations from the Baltics to the Balkans graduated from partnership with NATO to membership. Hence, it’s a safe bet that NATO’s new Strategic Concept, when unveiled at the Lisbon Summit on Nov. 19-20, will reaffirm the "open door" policy that "no European democratic country whose admission would fulfill the (Washington) Treaty’s objectives […]

New Atlanticist

Nov 12, 2010

A New Era of US-Indian Energy Cooperation?

By Alexandros Petersen

President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s reaffirmation of their commitment to energy cooperation during this past weekend’s state visit to India highlights the special position India occupies in energy geopolitics.

New Atlanticist

Nov 12, 2010

America’s Renewed Engagement of Asia

By Patrick deGategno

President Obama was in Asia this week to make good on his campaign promise of renewing American diplomacy worldwide. His longest, and arguably most important, international trip of his presidency included stops in India and Indonesia, the region’s next two emerging powers after China, as well as Japan and South Korea, two of America’s regional […]

New Atlanticist

Nov 12, 2010

Reports of American Declinism Premature

By Derek Reveron

It’s been popular to discuss the decline of the United States. Yale Ferguson wrote in 2008, “United States capabilities appear to be gravely waning today and its exercise of both hard and soft power has recently been so inept as to limit its current influence and possibly future role in global politics.”

United States and Canada

New Atlanticist

Nov 11, 2010

Turki Talks Turkey

By Arnaud de Borchgrave

The midterm election results weren’t only a "shellacking" for U.S. President Barack Obama but they drove the Mideast peace process back into the oubliette. The key was in safe hands. AIPAC — the Israeli lobby — emerged with still more congressional friends than before. Obama got out of Dodge and flew to India as Israeli […]

New Atlanticist

Nov 10, 2010

Remember, Remember November 11

By Harlan Ullman

Thursday marks the anniversary of the end of World War I. Originally Called Armistice Day, it’s now Veteran’s Day in the United States. In Britain the end of the Great War is Remembrance Day celebrated with the wearing of red crepe paper poppies inspired by Canadian John McCrae’s solemn poem of that war “Flanders Field” […]

New Atlanticist

Nov 10, 2010

5 Questions for Jan Lodal

By Jorge Benitez

Jan M. Lodal is Chairman of Lodal and Company and a member of the Atlantic Council’s Board. He is a former Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy and was President of the Atlantic Council from October 2005 until the end of 2006. I had the opportunity to discuss his thoughts on some key […]

New Atlanticist

Nov 9, 2010

Guess Hu’s in Europe?

By Jeffrey Lightfoot

Chinese President Hu Jintao opted not to sit idly in Beijing and watch President Obama circle the Middle Kingdom in his ‘post-shellacking’ tour of Asia. Hu showed that two could enhance the influence of their countries far from home. While both leaders are strengthening long-term ties through their visits, the victor of the flurry of […]

Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Nov 9, 2010

US-China Game Not Zero Sum

By Patrick deGategno

The media in China, Europe, and the U.S. would have their audiences believe America’s increased engagement of Asia and China’s expanding relations with Europe constitute a fearsome, new Great Game. American and European analysts allege that China is out to eat the West’s lunch, and the Transatlantic Community must do something to stop it. Chinese […]

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