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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New Atlanticist

Feb 14, 2011

Egypt’s Megabyte Revolution

By Arnaud de Borchgrave

The "Cairo Necropolis" is a bustling jumble of tombs and mausoleums where some 5 million homeless and impoverished (out of 18 million Cairenes) live and work among their dead relatives and ancestors. Along the base of the Mokattam Hills, the City of the Dead stretches for 4 miles from northern to southern Cairo. With 40 […]

New Atlanticist

Feb 11, 2011

Violence Has Silenced the Majority

By Mohsin Khan and Shuja Nawaz

The recent assassination of governor Salman Taseer of Punjab in Pakistan has highlighted the ongoing and often violent battle for the future of the country. Taseer had spoken out in favour of reviewing and amending the nation’s blasphemy law to make it less susceptible to abuse, especially against minorities, and to reduce punishments by eliminating […]

New Atlanticist

Feb 11, 2011

Joint Force Provider

By Robert Bracknell

In “Goodbye, JFCOM” [AFJ, November], retired Col. Bob Killebrew argues convincingly for the elimination of U.S. Joint Forces Command as a four-star-led combatant command. He notes correctly that what is really happening at JFCOM is less a standdown and more a reorganization, acknowledging that “three essential functions performed by the command … should be maintained, […]

New Atlanticist

Feb 11, 2011

Strategic Cyber Security and a Commercial Cloud?

By Chris Demchak

Should the United States base its national cyber security strategy around commercially offered “cloud computing,” as many are suggesting?

Cybersecurity Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Feb 11, 2011

Atlantic Update 2/11/11

By Jason Harmala

Barroness Ashton responds to Mubarak’s resignation, EU countries continue to shun Lukashenko’s regime, and Deutsche Bundesbank President Axel Weber announced he would step down on April 30.

New Atlanticist

Feb 10, 2011

On Building an Army

By Derek Reveron

For obvious reasons, coverage of Afghanistan is focused on the 150,000 NATO troops. After all, there are Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and even Coast Guardsmen conducting counterinsurgency operations, developing Afghanistan’s infrastructure, and training the Afghan military and police. All three lines of effort are essential, but developing an independent security force is essential for fulfilling […]

New Atlanticist

Feb 10, 2011

Stock Exchange Mergers Consolidating the Global Economy

By James Joyner

The New York Stock Exchange may soon merge with Deutsche Boerse, creating the world’s largest financial exchange and setting up a tidal wave of consolidation. NPR reports that "NYSE Euronext, the company that owns the New York Stock Exchange and stock and derivatives markets throughout Europe, has confirmed it’s in advanced talks with Deutsche Boerse, which […]

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 […]

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