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

Jul 13, 2010

Europe Staring Into Abyss?

By James Joyner

An Economist leader on the future of Europe is titled "Staring Into the Abyss."

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Jul 12, 2010

Afghanistan-Iraq-Iran: A three-front war?

By Arnaud de Borchgrave

There is no better illustration of the futility of the $1 trillion Iraq war than news photos of a long line of gasoline tankers lined up bumper to bumper as they leave Iraq to enter Iran. The U.N. Security Council decision to strengthen economic measures against Iran and U.S. President Barack Obama signing into law […]

New Atlanticist

Jul 12, 2010

Did China Just Win the Caspian Gas War?

By Alexandros Petersen

Natural gas is in the midst of a transformative moment. The advent of shale gas, the growth of seaborne liquefied natural gas (LNG), and a new “green” image for the old hydrocarbon brought more uses, attention and yes, even controversy, to global gas markets. But the world’s most influential player in all this is neither […]

New Atlanticist

Jul 9, 2010

Transatlantic Data Sharing: Moving Forward By Moving Backwards

By James Joyner

With a refreshing candor almost never seen from sitting officials, DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano and European VP for Justice Viviane Reding vowed to work together to share data on terrorism and criminal investigations while safeguarding privacy of citizens on both sides of the Atlantic. Despite the can-do attitude, they made it clear that the U.S. […]

New Atlanticist

Jul 9, 2010

NATO Strategic Concept Drivers

By Harlan Ullman

Since its creation in 1949, NATO has been at one crucial crossroads or another in which the future of the alliance seemed at stake. Today, as NATO is working on a new Strategic Concept to replace the current one approved eleven years ago in 1999, the alliance must come to grips with the challenges and […]

New Atlanticist

Jul 9, 2010

Do the Rest Need the West?

By Nikolas Gvosdev

Three years ago, Naazneen Barma, Ely Ratner and Steven Weber sounded a warning: the rest of the world was not necessarily looking to integrate into a Euro-Atlantic hub. They noted: "The landscape of globalization now looks like this: While connectivity for the globe as a whole has increased in the last twenty years, it is […]

New Atlanticist

Jul 8, 2010

Mattis Next CENTCOM Chief

By James Joyner

Marine General James Mattis, co-winner of the Atlantic Council’s 2010 Distinguished Military Leadership Award, has been nominated by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates to take over Central Command.

New Atlanticist

Jul 8, 2010

Critical Test for European Security

By Kurt Volker and Juan Zarate

This week brings a critical test for the transatlantic security partnership. The European Parliament will vote on a revised agreement with the United States on tracking terrorist finances using financial data unique to the Belgium-based Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT). The vote is about more than restoring data-sharing. It is about whether Europe […]

New Atlanticist

Jul 8, 2010

Global Economic Impact of Dodd-Frank Financial Reform Bill

By Alexei Monsarrat

Alexei Monsarrat, director of the Atlantic Council’s Global Business & Economics program, interviewed Tom Joyce, debt capital markets strategist for Deutsche Bank, on the impact of the Dodd-Frank bill on the finance industry and global markets. A transcript of their discussion follows. ALEXEI MONSARRAT: Thanks very much, Tom, for taking part in our 5 Questions […]

New Atlanticist

Jul 7, 2010

Russian Spy Arrests: James Bond Meets Woody Allen

By Harlan Ullman

Reports of the arrests last week of 11 alleged Russian agents operating a deep cover espionage ring for Moscow Center in the heart of the United States sounded more like farce and folly than serious spying. So far no classified material has been found in the spies’ possession and the major charge against them is […]

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