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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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 25, 2010

An Olympic Opportunity

By Kurt Volker

With summer arriving, it might seem early to be thinking through the politics of the 2014 Winter Olympics. But the next Winter Games are to be held in Sochi, Russia, just a few miles from Abkhazia, a territory Russia broke off from Georgia by military force in 2008. Simply put, this will be tricky. Preparations […]

New Atlanticist

May 24, 2010

Euro Fall Spells Trouble for the Balkan EU Perspective

By Borut Grgic

The Euro crisis is far from over despite – or perhaps because of – the decision by the ECB to set-up a 750 billion euro emergency fund to protect the euro-zone countries from going bankrupt. The economic outlook is grim, which is likely to have some profound political consequences, not least on EU’s enlargement policy.

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

May 21, 2010

Sneak Preview of the New World Not-Quite Order

By Robert Manning

Don’t look now, but a surge of pro-active diplomacy by Brazil and Turkey toward Iran may offer a glimpse of evolving new patterns in international affairs. This is the world of the G-20, where rising middle powers (and larger ones like China and India) will decide whether the period ahead is one more of New […]

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

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