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.

Will COIN Work in Afghanistan?

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.

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Will COIN Work in Afghanistan?

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

Will COIN Work in Afghanistan?

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

Jul 20, 2009

Will COIN Work in Afghanistan?

By Don Snow

The Obama administration has invested a great deal (one can argue too much) of its national security capital in the war on Afghanistan, and the chief instrument for realizing that investment has been the application of counterinsurgency (COIN) doctrine to the situation. This application, in turn, is based on putting into action the Army and […]

Afghanistan

New Atlanticist

Jul 20, 2009

The French & Iranian Revolutions

By Andrew Kessinger

We have recently celebrated the anniversaries of the American and French Revolutions, both violent civil uprisings that changed the course of their nation’s history.  A similar storm seems to be brewing – this time in Iran.

France Iran

New Atlanticist

Jul 18, 2009

Europe Needs Diversified Energy Strategy

By Borut Grgic

After Gazprom signed a deal with Azerbaijan for 500 million cubic meters of gas, the Nabucco bunch got together in Ankara and agreed on a legal basis for the 3300 kilometer long pipeline which will connect the European market to the Caspian gas.

Energy & Environment

New Atlanticist

Jul 17, 2009

Iceland EU Bid Forced by Financial Crisis

By James Joyner

Fiercely independent Iceland is ready to make its bid to join the European Union in the wake of the global financial crisis that has devastated the island nation’s economy more than most. Prime Minister Johanna Sigurdardottir deemed it “probably the most historic vote in the history of our parliament.”  The Althingi is the world’s oldest legislative […]

Economy & Business European Union

New Atlanticist

Jul 17, 2009

Education and Grand Strategy

By Mark Safranski

America’s current educational system, which emphasizes uniformity, conformity, and memorization is stifling the creation of the next generation of strategic thinkers. 

New Atlanticist

Jul 16, 2009

US and European Tax Rates and Compliance

By James Joyner

The United States has among the lowest top income tax rates in the developed world.  And also the highest rates of compliance in paying taxes.  One suspects these facts are related.

New Atlanticist

Jul 16, 2009

Obama’s National Security Strategy Unfolding

By Derek Reveron

While the United States had often followed an unofficial grand strategy (e.g., containment during the Cold War), Congress required the president to formalize one since 1986.  While President Obama has yet to do so, we have a pretty good idea what his foreign policy vision will be.

New Atlanticist

Jul 16, 2009

Clinton: U.S. Seeks both Partners and Primacy

By Brendan Boundy

For those hoping for a dramatic unveiling of the Obama administration’s new foreign policy agenda, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s first major address last week was a bit of a disappointment.

New Atlanticist

Jul 16, 2009

An Adapting Al Qaeda?

By Brendan Boundy

Countering Al Qaeda’s ability to launch attacks against Europe and the United States from ungoverned tribal areas is the primary aim of U.S. military operations in Afghanistan and aid to Pakistan.  However, Al Qaeda’s aim may be shifting.

New Atlanticist

Jul 15, 2009

Russia May Score Final Coup in Energy Battle

By Alexandros Petersen

The European Union is touting its deal with Turkey on Monday to realize the Nabucco natural gas pipeline project as a major coup in the quest for alternative energy routes that bypass Russia. The project’s major transit country, Turkey, may have been brought on board, but Ankara’s other energy interests in the Caucasus may still […]

Energy & Environment Russia
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