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.

Where is Richard Holbrooke on Afghanistan?

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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New Atlanticist

Oct 28, 2009

Where is Richard Holbrooke on Afghanistan?

By Harlan Ullman

As the Obama administration agonizes over Afghanistan and a flurry of insurgent attacks in neighboring Pakistan rocks that country, Special Envoy Richard Holbrooke has become, surprisingly, nearly invisible. When it came to convincing, cajoling or coercing Afghan President Hamid Karzai to accept the inevitability of a runoff election, who did the heavy lifting?

Afghanistan

New Atlanticist

Oct 27, 2009

French Rebound Continues While Germany Moves Sideways

By Edward Hugh

Whoever would have thought that some people once called economics the most dismal of sciences? Certainly, as the current crisis goes on and on, those of us who consider ourselves to be economists scarcely are able to find the time to squeeze in a dull moment, even here and there. But even at a broader […]

New Atlanticist

Oct 27, 2009

Afghanistan: A Modest Case for Dithering

By Alex Massie

My old chum, and former boss, Iain Martin writes that time is, in fact, of the essence in Afghanistan and that Barack Obama needs to make a decision:

Afghanistan

New Atlanticist

Oct 27, 2009

While Obama Dithers

By James Joyner

An incredibly junior contractor-for-hire has resigned over disagreement with our AfPak policy, prompting a high level scramble within the administration and a long feature in the Washington Post.

Afghanistan Pakistan

New Atlanticist

Oct 26, 2009

Common Sense and COIN in Afghanistan

By Don Snow

As the Obama administration’s internal debate over what to do in Afghanistan has publicly clarified, two prerequisites for the success of the American effort have risen to the top: good governance and the emegence of effective Afghan security forces. Both represent the triumph of simple common sense over the supposed arcane details of COIN strategy, […]

Afghanistan

New Atlanticist

Oct 26, 2009

Democracy Promotion Done Right

By Derek Reveron

Joe Biden’s recent trip to Central Europe underscores that the United States still supports democracy promotion, is not afraid to state that publicly, and encourages its allies to do the same. In Romania, the vice president said, “you delivered on the promise of your revolution. You are in a position to help others do the […]

New Atlanticist

Oct 23, 2009

Obama and Israel: Different Middle East Peace Strategies

By Arnaud de Borchgrave

Unless former U.S. Sen. George Mitchell, President Obama’s special Middle Eastern envoy, is prepared to commute by government executive jet for the next five to 10 years, this isn’t a bad time to turn in his badge. Moshe Ya’alon, Israel’s vice prime minister and minister for strategic affairs in Israel’s 32nd government, talked his way […]

Israel

New Atlanticist

Oct 23, 2009

Does Rasmussen’s Speech Reveal New NATO Priorities?

By Jorge Benitez

In his first speech as Secretary General (August 3) Anders Fogh Rasmussen identified Afghanistan and relations with Russia as the top two priorities for NATO. Unfortunately, that speech ignored the security concerns of the Central European members of NATO and contributed to the perception that rapprochement with Moscow was more important to the alliance than […]

NATO Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Oct 22, 2009

Westerwelle First Liberal German Foreign Minister in a Decade

By Benjamin Preisler

Guido Westerwelle of the FDP will likely emerge from coalition talks between Germany’s main parties — the CDU, CSU (Conservatives) and FDP (Liberals) — as the country’s new foreign minister, marking the first time a Liberal has held the office in a decade.

European Union Germany

New Atlanticist

Oct 22, 2009

Biden to Bucharest: Why Romania?

By Damon Wilson

Vice President Biden is visiting Central Europe this week as part of the administration’s damage control efforts in the wake of the botched roll-out of its missile defense decisions. The White House’s objective extends beyond missile defense however; Biden’s task is to reassure allies and demonstrate commitment to a region that is second-guessing the American […]

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