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

Stay updated

Explore our unique analysis

Fast Thinking

When major global news breaks, the Atlantic Council’s experts have you covered—delivering their sharpest rapid insight and forward-looking analysis direct to your inbox.

Experts React

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.

Markup

Our experts decipher and annotate major speeches and policy documents to break down big ideas and lay them out in plain language.

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 […]

New Atlanticist

Nov 8, 2010

Stuxnet: First Physical Weapon in Cybered Conflict Age

By Chris Demchak

Stuxnet is the first publicly known crossover cyber-to-concrete weapon and, with its success, the era of cybered conflict has officially arrived. This malicious software hit Iran’s nascent contested nuclear reactors in situ this year, disrupting their final completion into full operations. In so doing, and unlike other viruses and malware, Stuxnet has shown the path […]

Cybersecurity
Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Nov 8, 2010

Avoiding the Next War in the South Caucasus

By Borut Grgic

While most European governments are cutting defense spending to balance their budgets and curtail debt, there are at least two countries on the Continent that are doing the exact opposite: Azerbaijan and Armenia are both ramping up their defense spending, and have been doing so for the last several years. The two countries are locked […]

European Union
International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Nov 5, 2010

Ukraine Election Hardly a Descent into ‘Managed Democracy’

By Adrian Karatnycky

Ukraine’s local elections proved to be the dog that didn’t bark.

Ukraine

New Atlanticist

Nov 5, 2010

Restructuring Sovereign Debt: Time for Action

By Susan Schadler

The gap between market expectations of sovereign debt restructurings and official non-discussion of institutional arrangements for restructuring is wide. While markets are pricing a substantial default risk for Greek, Irish, Portuguese and even Spanish bonds, the financial policy debate is squarely focused on the causes of the last crisis. Arrangements for dealing with the likely […]

European Union
International Organizations

Share

Issue briefs and reports