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.

NATO in the Present and Future: A Conversation with General John Craddock

New Atlanticist
Jul 29, 2025

The Russia pressure menu: Options to convince Putin to negotiate on Ukraine

As the US president cuts his deadline for Russia to ten days, there are several options for him to increase pressure on Moscow to pursue peace.

New Atlanticist
Jul 24, 2025

Dispatch from Manila: A lesson in calling out Chinese maritime aggression

By
Markus Garlauskas, Philip W. Yu

As the Philippines has focused more on Chinese threats to itself, Manila also seems increasingly inclined to see its own security as connected to that of the broader region.

China
Indo-Pacific

New Atlanticist
Jul 1, 2025

The US must enforce sanctions to prevent Iran from rebuilding its nuclear program

By
Kimberly Donovan

To ensure that Tehran cannot get its hands on the financial resources it would need to rebuild its nuclear program, Iran sanctions enforcement should start with China.

Economic Sanctions
Iran

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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

May 21, 2010

NATO in the Present and Future: A Conversation with General John Craddock

By Jason Harmala

Atlantic Council senior fellow Sarwar Kashmeri’s latest New Atlanticist Podcast features General John Craddock, former Supreme Allied Commander Europe and Atlantic Council Board Director. General Craddock discusses NATO in the Horn of Africa, and European contributions to NATO operations and the planned missile defense shield.

New Atlanticist

May 21, 2010

NATO’s Center of Gravity: Political Will

By Jorge Benitez

Whether you call it alliance solidarity, unity, or cohesion, NATO needs political will to overcome the external and internal forces threatening its success in Afghanistan and ultimate survival. A consensus of transatlantic elites will not be sufficient for the Alliance to overcome the economic crisis, military conflicts, and internal friction it is currently facing.

New Atlanticist

May 20, 2010

Albright: NATO is Much More than Afghanistan

By James Joyner

"NATO is much more than Afghanistan," former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, chair of the Group of Experts advising the Alliance on its Strategic Concept, told the Atlantic Council.

New Atlanticist

May 20, 2010

Stavridis: 2% is 2%

By James Joyner

Admiral Jim Stavridis, NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander, isn’t very sympathetic to arguments that Allies can’t afford to meet their commitments because of the dire economy. “Two percent is two percent,” he flatly stated. In a speech to the Atlantic Council, Stavridis noted that, despite the downturn, NATO is incredibly wealthy, with a combined GDP of […]

New Atlanticist

May 19, 2010

When the Kremlin Smiles, Beware the Teeth

By Henrik Liljegren

"The face of modern Russia is a smiling face,” Russian President Medvedev said on April 26. “But other countries must smile back at us.” Lately news about Russia’s relations with the West has led to all sorts of speculation and comments.

New Atlanticist

May 19, 2010

The Black Sea as the New North Sea

By Boyko Nitzov

The North Sea region went from being an area of gas exporters to importers and then back to being exporters. History may well repeat itself in the Black Sea region.

Energy & Environment

New Atlanticist

May 19, 2010

Trouble in River (Thames) City?

By Harlan Ullman

Britain’s May 6 election and the formation of the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government were remarkable events. With Tory leader David Cameron as prime minister and Lib Dem head Nick Clegg as deputy PM, some commentators regard this union as transformative in changing the way British politics are conducted.

Elections Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

May 18, 2010

NATO: Reboot or Delete?

By Sarwar Kashmeri

It would be a pity to let NATO fade away; because it will then have to be reinvented someday. And that will not be easy. Today’s NATO is an increasingly dysfunctional organization, still searching for a new role two decades after the end of the Cold War. Left dangling in this state NATO will soon […]

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

May 18, 2010

Political Correctness

By Arnaud de Borchgrave

A gaffe in Washington is when someone inadvertently blurts out the truth. There is a reluctance in the nation’s capital, bordering on paralysis, to be politically incorrect. After six decades as a journalist, I have no hesitation in casting political correctness aside if it shades or distorts the truth.

New Atlanticist

May 17, 2010

The Trajectory of NATO: An Interview with Andrew Bacevich

By Jason Harmala

In his latest New Atlanticist Podcast, Atlantic Council senior fellow Sarwar Kashmeri spoke with Boston University Professor of International Relations and History Andrew Bacecvich on NATO’s Strategic Concept and the trajectory of the Alliance.

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