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
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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New Atlanticist

Nov 6, 2009

Completing Europe

By Damon Wilson

In the wake of the collapse of the Berlin Wall, “Europe whole, free and at peace” was not just a vision; it was a successful policy leading to the consolidation of democracy in Central and Eastern Europe and the integration of the region into Europe’s great institutions. This outcome was neither easy nor obvious.

Central Europe Eastern Europe

New Atlanticist

Nov 6, 2009

President George H.W. Bush on the Fall of the Berlin Wall

By George H.W. Bush

I am delighted to join the Atlantic Council in commemorating the 60th Anniversary of NATO and the 20th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall. The Fall of the Wall was first and foremost a testament to the spirit of the German people.

Germany United States and Canada

New Atlanticist

Nov 6, 2009

Trans-Atlanticism Renewed: The Path to Force Effectiveness

By Thomas Enders

Although NATO today faces threats from more unconventional enemies, its need to forge a strong trans-Atlantic Alliance remains as essential to its success as ever, says Thomas Enders. Throughout the Cold War, the Berlin Wall signified the tension and distrust between the capitalist, democratic West and the communist, authoritarian East.

NATO Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Nov 5, 2009

Iran’s Government is in a Corner

By Nazenin Ansari and Jonathan Paris

On Wednesday, the 30th anniversary of the takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Teheran, the streets of Iran were filled with ordinary citizens demonstrating not for the humiliation of the United States but for peaceful political change in their country.

Iran

New Atlanticist

Nov 5, 2009

Margaret Thatcher: Reflections on Winning the Cold War

By Margaret Thatcher

As the world celebrates 20 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall it is right that we should reflect on the impact of those momentous months.

Germany United Kingdom

New Atlanticist

Nov 5, 2009

Reflections on German Unification

By David Marsh

David Marsh talks to Lord Douglas Hurd of Westwell, who served as British foreign secretary from 1989 to 1995.

Germany

New Atlanticist

Nov 4, 2009

1989 Started New Era of Globalization and Geopolitics

By Josef Ackermann

The fall of the Berlin Wall in the autumn of 1989 was an exceptional event in German and world history. As a German-speaking Swiss national living in Zurich at the time, I was deeply moved by the events.

Germany

New Atlanticist

Nov 4, 2009

Zbigniew Brzezinski on the End of the Cold War

By Frederick Kempe

Atlantic Council president and CEO Frederick Kempe interviewed Zbigniew Brzezinski, former National Security Advisor to President Jimmy Carter and a member of the Atlantic Council International Advisory Board, for Freedom’s Challenge, a publication commemorating the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

New Atlanticist

Nov 4, 2009

Afghanistan: Not a Question of Dither or Decide

By Harlan Ullman

The debate over what to do next in Afghanistan has been politically polarized between those who attack the Obama administration for “dithering” and supporters who believe the president needs ample time to be a “decider.” Unfortunately, this is a wrong and false debate.

Afghanistan

New Atlanticist

Nov 3, 2009

A Hymn to Liberty and Friendship with a Caveat: The View from Germany

By Benjamin Preisler

German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s speech in front of a joint session of Congress was treated to positive while not glowing reviews in Germany.

Germany

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