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
Sep 4, 2025

Dispatches from Damascus: The state of Syria’s postwar transition nine months after Assad’s fall

On a recent trip to the Syrian capital, Atlantic Council experts took note of how far the country has come since the Assad regime’s fall and what still needs to happen to secure peace and prosperity.

New Atlanticist
Aug 29, 2025

Twenty questions (and expert answers) about the negotiations to end Russia’s war in Ukraine

By
Atlantic Council experts

August saw a flurry of diplomatic activity to end Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. As September nears, Atlantic Council experts share their insights on what to expect next.

Conflict
Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

New Atlanticist
Aug 28, 2025

Germany wants to double its defense spending. Where should the money go?

By
Atlantic Council experts

After decades of Berlin underinvesting in its defense, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has plans to transform the Bundeswehr into Europe’s strongest military.

Defense Policy
Europe & Eurasia

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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.

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New Atlanticist

Feb 22, 2011

National Security Through Partnership

By Derek Reveron

Afghan President Hamid Karzai recently asked the international community to support the growth of his country’s military and police. The request is a sure sign that Afghans want to secure their country from threats inside and outside its borders–but needs the international community’s continued support to do it. While helping Afghanistan overcome its security deficit […]

New Atlanticist

Feb 22, 2011

Defining A New World Order

By Chuck Hagel

We are today defining a new world order. Not since World War II has mankind witnessed such a realignment of interests, influences and challenges. This new 21st century global order is being directed by a great diffusion of economic power that has shifted geopolitical centers of gravity. Globalization and technology are the principal forces that […]

New Atlanticist

Feb 22, 2011

Atlantic Update 2/22/11

By Jason Harmala

Sunday’s state election in Hamburg saw a comfortable victory for the Social Democrats over Chancellor Merkel’s Christian Democrats, and Europe offers muted reactions to the crisis in Libya.

New Atlanticist

Feb 19, 2011

Is Europe Out Trading America?

By James Joyner

The European Parliament has approved an agreement with South Korea that, if ratified, will create the second-largest free trade area in the world, behind only the North American Free Trade Agreement zone. Coupled with aggressive negotiations with China and India, is Europe poised to overtake the United States as a global trader? The EU website […]

New Atlanticist

Feb 18, 2011

Atlantic Update 2/18/11

By Jason Harmala

Germany offers Portugal financial support for an impending bailout, and German Defense Minister zu Guttenberg responds to plagiarism charges.

New Atlanticist

Feb 18, 2011

Egypt, American Activism, and Self-Determination

By Bernard Finel

One of the most infuriating arguments to emerge out of the whole Egypt situation is the notion that somehow the Obama Administration was insufficiently engaged. I could link a dozen prominent examples of this argument, but I’m sure you’ve all seen them. The argument is basically, that Obama was too tentative, “behind the curve,” and […]

New Atlanticist

Feb 18, 2011

NATO-Russia Missile Defense as an Impossible Dream?

By Jakub Kulhanek

Long gone are the days of overt mistrust and frosty relations between NATO and Russia. Following the rupture in their relations in the wake of the war in Georgia, the two former rivals have managed to put their differences aside and are now in intense discussion to explore new possibilities for cooperation. Nothing, perhaps, better […]

New Atlanticist

Feb 17, 2011

As Talks Stall with Iran, U.S. Steps Up Propaganda War

By Barbara Slavin

Egypt’s revolution appears to have stiffened the spine of the Barack Obama administration when it comes to Iran. In the wake of the mass protests that ousted Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Washington has begun to "tweet" in Farsi as well as Arabic. President Obama – and to an even greater extent, Secretary of State Hillary […]

New Atlanticist

Feb 17, 2011

US-Pakistan ‘Strategic Partnership’ After the Raymond Davis Incident

By Michael Cohen

For more than a year and a half supporters of the war in Afghanistan have steadily peddled the argument that one of the reasons that the US must stay militarily engaged in the region (and especially in Afghanistan) is to support Pakistan, particularly in its fight against radical extremists. The Obama Administration has even hailed […]

New Atlanticist

Feb 17, 2011

Atlantic Update 2/17/11

By Jason Harmala

Serbia’s Foreign Minister calls for an investigation into allegations of organ trafficking in Kosovo, the new U.S. ambassador to Turkey is under fire for comments related to Turkey’s press freedoms, and the EU indicates it may support the International Monetary Fund’s plan to rival the U.S. dollar.

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