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.

Lord Robertson on the Transformation of NATO

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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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

Dec 15, 2009

Lord Robertson on the Transformation of NATO

By Simon Michell

George Robertson tells Simon Michell how the fall of the Berlin Wall brought in a period of confusion that saw a transformation in the role and mission of NATO.

New Atlanticist

Dec 14, 2009

Petraeus the Next Eisenhower?

By Arnaud de Borchgrave

U.S. President Barack Obama has scaled back the scope of the Afghan war, now about to enter its ninth year, to a limited military objective: deny al-Qaida a safe haven. And since we are now told there are fewer than 100 al-Qaida terrorists in Afghanistan — the rest are in Pakistan’s tribal areas — a […]

Afghanistan

New Atlanticist

Dec 14, 2009

Tempering Afghan Optimism

By Don Snow

The recent announcements and statements of support for President Obama’s “surge” in Afghanistan have left me a bit confused, and I wonder if readers can help me out here. Something just does not compute.

Afghanistan

New Atlanticist

Dec 14, 2009

Colin Powell Looks Back — and Ahead

By Frederick Kempe

Atlantic Council president and CEO Fred Kempe interviewed General Colin Powell, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the 65th U.S. Secretary of State, on the end of the Cold War and the future security environment. You were the chairman of the Joint Chiefs on the day that the Wall came tumbling down. […]

New Atlanticist

Dec 11, 2009

Zoellick: U.S. Must Play Active Role in Multilateral System

By James Joyner

World Bank president Robert Zoellick warned that we should be cautious in reforming the structure of international economic institutions. Making changes based on theoretical analysis while excluding the practical implications would have serious consequences. Responding to a question from Council president and CEO Fred Kempe about a proposal to end the practice of preserving the […]

New Atlanticist

Dec 11, 2009

Different Economic Tones in Europe and Asia

By James Joyner

World Bank president Robert Zoellick notes he was “struck by the very different tones” in recent financial summits in West and Asia, seeing a timidity in the former and an aggressive “growth agenda” in the latter.

Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Dec 11, 2009

Limits of Force: The U.S. in the 21st Century

By Chuck Hagel

We are only now coming to terms with what it will take to lead in the world that has evolved in the 20 years since the Berlin Wall’s fall, instructed by the hard lessons of Iraq and Afghanistan.

New Atlanticist

Dec 10, 2009

Transatlantic Trade More Important than You Think

By James Joyner

Despite perceptions here and in Europe that a G2 is emerging in which the United States and China will be international Goliaths largely oblivious to the world’s Davids, the fact of the matter is that “the United States and the EU together comprise 54 percent of global GDP.”

Economy & Business Trade and tariffs

New Atlanticist

Dec 10, 2009

Obama ‘Snubs’ Norwegians en Route to Nobel Prize

By James Joyner

It seems that Barack Obama’s bid to repair relations with Europe continues to suffer setbacks caused by a combination of his own lapses and overweening sensitivities on the other side of the Atlantic. The latest issue, ironically enough, comes with today’s trip to Oslo to receive a Nobel peace prize.

New Atlanticist

Dec 10, 2009

Azerbaijan Key Energy Player with Limited Options

By Alexandros Petersen

Azerbaijan’s ongoing dispute with Turkey about transit terms and revenues for natural gas heading to Europe across Anatolia, as well as uncertainties about the Nabucco pipeline project, have compelled highest-level officials at Azerbaijan’s State Oil Company (SOCAR) to publicly consider the option of exporting hydrocarbons eastward, potentially to China and other East Asian markets.

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