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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New Atlanticist

Sep 30, 2009

Afghanistan: Barriers to State Building

By Don Snow

Assume for argument’s sake that the war in Afghanistan can be “won”: objectives can be formulated that are acceptable to all parties and through a combination of political and military actions, the opposition can be vanquished. If the war is won, however, will the peace be won or lost?

Afghanistan

New Atlanticist

Sep 30, 2009

Making Nuclear Weapons Impotent and Obsolete

By Harlan Ullman

On March 23, 1983, in a speech to the nation announcing the Strategic Defense Initiative, U.S. President Ronald Reagan pledged to make “nuclear weapons impotent and obsolete.” The left immediately attacked Reagan and his initiative was ridiculed as “Star Wars.” Ironically, President Barack Obama is on his way to making good on Reagan’s pledge. And […]

New Atlanticist

Sep 30, 2009

Dining with a Dictator

By Andrew Kessinger

Very rarely are mere students afforded the chance to meet with heads of state. So when invited to dine with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad last week, I accepted.

New Atlanticist

Sep 29, 2009

Obama Muddling Through

By Arnaud de Borchgrave

President Obama the juggler has been spinning too many plates.

New Atlanticist

Sep 29, 2009

Seeds of New World Order Planted in Pittsburgh

By Robert Manning

It was overshadowed not least by revelations of a new secret Iranian enrichment facility. But in the fullness of time, decisions taken at the Pittsburgh G-20 Summit contain the seeds of what may evolve into a reshaping of the global order.

New Atlanticist

Sep 29, 2009

Rasmussen: Afghanistan Proves NATO Solidarity, Not Weakness

By James Joyner

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen told the Atlantic Council that, while NATO’s Afghanistan mission shows some “very real problems” within the Alliance, the fundamental lesson that should be taken away is the remarkable “solidarity” of 28 diverse nations fighting together for a common purpose.

Afghanistan International Security Assistance Force

New Atlanticist

Sep 28, 2009

Rasmussen: “Things Are Going to Have to Change” in Afghanistan

By James Joyner

In his first U.S. speech as NATO Secretary General, Anders Fogh Rasmussen stated that, while “NATO will stay” in Afghanistan “for as long as it takes to succeed,” the political and strategic realities make it clear that “things are going to have to change” and quickly.

Afghanistan NATO

New Atlanticist

Sep 28, 2009

Lugar: Energy Cutoff Equivalent to Armed Invasion

By James Joyner

Senator Richard Lugar argues that NATO’s next strategic concept must consider “unconventional threats such as terrorism, drug trafficking, cyber warfare, and energy manipulation” as “attacks” meriting Alliance response under Article V.

NATO Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Sep 28, 2009

Lugar Wants ‘Boots on the Ground’ in Eastern Europe

By James Joyner

Senator Richard Lugar, speaking at the Atlantic Council, made a passionate plea for a stronger NATO commitment to East and Central Europe, including “boots on the ground.”

Central Europe Eastern Europe

New Atlanticist

Sep 28, 2009

Merkel Win Opens Caucuses Options

By Borut Grgic

Europe’s broken Caucasus-Caspian policy is partly in trouble due to Germany’s Russia policy, which was put in place by the former German Chancellor, Mr. Schroeder, and faithfully executed by his SPD successor, Mr. Steinmeier who shared power with Ms. Merkel in the last German government.

Russia

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