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

Jun 4, 2010

Maritime Security Wake-Up Call

By James Joyner

"Our ports and waterways remain woefully vulnerable to terrorist attacks. Nearly a decade after 9/11 revolutionized aviation security, we are long overdue to apply many of those lessons learned to maritime security."

New Atlanticist

Jun 4, 2010

End Of This World?

By Arnaud de Borchgrave

North Korea can target, attack and sink a South Korean warship, kill 46 of the South Korean crew but South Korea cannot retaliate without triggering a barrage of shells from North Korea’s 11,000 artillery tubes that can lay waste Seoul, a capital city of 11 million. North Korea is also a rogue nuclear power and […]

New Atlanticist

Jun 4, 2010

Gulf Oil Spill A 9/11 Wake-Up Call?

By Harlan Ullman

The explosion on Transocean’s Deepwater Horizon rig in the Gulf of Mexico and subsequent torrent of oil pouring into the gulf could be the United States’ worst environmental catastrophe.

Energy & Environment

New Atlanticist

Jun 3, 2010

NSS Review: Europe Given Short Shrift

By Sven Biscop and Thomas Renard

Is the European Union (EU) – or even its Member States – still a key ally for the US? Is the transatlantic alliance in decline?

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Jun 3, 2010

NATO or Israel?

By James Joyner

Israel’s attack on a Gaza aid flotilla, killing nine, has earned near-universal condemnation, with even sympathetic observers terming it the act of a bully, tone deaf, staggeringly stupid, tactically incompetent, a major tactical blunder, a moral victory for Hamas, and an unqualified disaster for Israel’s reputation. But Israel is rather accustomed to international scorn and […]

New Atlanticist

Jun 3, 2010

Ukraine Is Not Yet Lost

By Alexandros Petersen and Tamerlan Vahabov

Since this winter’s presidential election, in which pro-Russian Victor Yanukovich emerged the victor, Ukraine has experienced a massive turnaround. Its politics, security policy, cultural and language policies and energy policy all look toward Moscow for guidance. U.S. and European commentators have begun to speak about the loss of Ukraine.

Energy & Environment European Union

New Atlanticist

Jun 2, 2010

Democratic Change It’s Not

By Borut Grgic

There are basically two schools of thought when it comes to explaining what happened in Kyrgyzstan in April. Proponents of the democracy school will argue that what we witnessed was a legitimate uprising against an unjust and oppressive regime set up by President Kurmanbek Bakiyev. The other school, the realists, will explain the April events […]

New Atlanticist

Jun 2, 2010

Russia: A NATO Member?

By Donald Bandler and Jakub Kulhanek

Apart from a now customary display of Russia’s military might, the recent commemoration of the victory over Nazi Germany in Moscow witnessed a strange spectacle of NATO troops marching on Red Square. The presence of its erstwhile enemy has stirred controversy in Russia.

New Atlanticist

Jun 2, 2010

A European State That Has Friendly Ties With Russia

By Adrian Karatnycky

Is Ukraine drifting toward Russia and away from Europe? Several recent developments suggest it may be. Although the pendulum has swung toward Moscow, a case can be made that a foreign policy balance will be struck in the coming months.

Russia Ukraine

New Atlanticist

Jun 1, 2010

NSS Review: Vision and Questions

By Ioan Mircea Pascu

The Obama administration’s National Security Strategy is even more important because it comes at a crucial time: the international system is heavily affected by economic and financial crisis, conflict, disorder and successive natural disasters.

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