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.

Afghanistan Deadline: What Happens in July 2011?

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

Dec 4, 2009

Afghanistan Deadline: What Happens in July 2011?

By James Joyner

Most of the postmortems of President Obama’s Afghanistan strategy speech focused on the announcement of an 18 month timetable after which a drawdown and handover to local forces would begin. Opposition Republicans took the president at his word and warned about signaling weakness, whereas critics in his own party saw the deadline as a cynical […]

Afghanistan

New Atlanticist

Dec 4, 2009

Afghanistan Debate Over, Now Time to Execute

By James Cook

Although perhaps delivered with less emotion than some would like from such a gifted orator, President Obama delivered his Afghanistan strategy. We can expect additional strategic and operational details to emerge in the coming weeks but the speech outlined some broad guidelines that military and other planners can use as strategic direction.

Afghanistan

New Atlanticist

Dec 4, 2009

Obama Afghan Plan: A Wing and A Prayer

By Don Snow

On Tuesday night, President Obama announced his new “strategy” for Afghanistan. It held few surprises, just disappointments. The President’s rhetoric soared, as usual. The content did not. Instead, he sent the country down the road with a series of assumptions and plans that can be called, at best, a wing and a prayer.

Afghanistan

New Atlanticist

Dec 3, 2009

Behind Obama’s Afghanistan Decision

By Kurt Volker

All of Washington – and much of the world – was waiting to hear President Obama’s Tuesday night speech about the war in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan

New Atlanticist

Dec 3, 2009

Who’s Really Running Pakistan?

By Arnaud de Borchgrave

From his former incarnation as strategic adviser to Pakistan’s politico-religious parties, the one-time Pakistani intelligence chief Hamid Gul has resurfaced as de facto minister of propaganda and disinformation for the Taliban insurgents. In a dramatic reincarnation for the “meray mutabiq” (“my opinion”) program on Geo television, Gul said the Taliban has 88,000 troops and 35,000 […]

Pakistan

New Atlanticist

Dec 3, 2009

How Iraq Could Win the War in Afghanistan

By Richard Miniter and Sebestyén Gorka

As strategists and commentators dissect President Obama’s West Point speech, the conversation all too often gets stuck on troop levels. What is missing is a strategic assessment and a willingness to transfer America’s hard-won lessons learned in Iraq, especially in the Al Anbar province, to Afghanistan. 

New Atlanticist

Dec 2, 2009

Obama’s Afghanistan Speech: Reactions From Around the World

By James Joyner

President Obama’s speech outlining his Afghanistan exit strategy was much anticipated. It was addressed to the American people, of course, but also to our NATO and ISAF allies and the people in Afghanistan and its neighbors. Naturally, not everyone is pleased.

New Atlanticist

Dec 2, 2009

Missing Tools for the Afghan Job

By Harlan Ullman

U.S. President Barack Obama’s Afghanistan speech Tuesday, well advertised in advance and delivered at West Point for added effect, provoked predictable criticism from both the left and right.

Afghanistan

New Atlanticist

Dec 2, 2009

Certain Obama, Uncertain Allies

By Shuja Nawaz

There is no doubt about it now. This is Obama’s War. He took full ownership of it last night. From the history to the conduct of operations, warts and all. He acknowledged how and why the United States went into Afghanistan, why it has stayed, and why it will leave under his timetable, with all […]

New Atlanticist

Dec 2, 2009

Europe’s New Leadership

By James Joyner

The selection of two obscure figures as president and high representative of the new European Council was greeted by derision — or, worse, yawns — on both sides of the Atlantic. But while the disappointment over what might have been is perfectly understandable, we should not lose sight of what already is.

European Union International Organizations

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