New Atlanticist

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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.

Losing New Europe, Too?

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.

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Losing New Europe, Too?

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

Losing New Europe, Too?

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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When major global news breaks, the Atlantic Council’s experts have you covered—delivering their sharpest rapid insight and forward-looking analysis direct to your inbox.

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Dive deep into developing stories, guided by continually updated expert analysis that leaves you better informed about the most pressing global issues behind the headlines.

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Our experts decipher and annotate major speeches and policy documents to break down big ideas and lay them out in plain language.

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Content

New Atlanticist

Sep 15, 2009

Losing New Europe, Too?

By James Joyner

Back in 2003, then-Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld famously noted that while “Old Europe” (particularly France and Germany) was hard to work with, America could count on “New Europe.”   Fast forward to 2009 and we may have reversed polarity.

New Atlanticist

Sep 15, 2009

Al Qaeda 360

By Arnaud de Borchgrave

Pity the al Qaeda analyst in the 16-agency, 100,000-strong U.S. intelligence community that spends $50 billion a year, much of it to track al Qaeda operatives the world over.

National Security Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Sep 14, 2009

Afghanistan: Barriers to Success

By Don Snow

Recent developments in Afghanistan – discontent over the elections, increased violence, likely US military calls for additional manpower, growing U.S. public disaffection with the effort – have all coalesced to increase the intensity of discussions about what the United States seeks to accomplish in that far distant country

Afghanistan

New Atlanticist

Sep 14, 2009

Trade War With China?

By Dave Schuler

On Friday President Obama decided to levy a 35% tariff on tires imported from China. This morning China has responded by beginning the process of imposing tariffs on U. S. auto products and chicken white meat

Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Sep 14, 2009

Putin’s Pipeline Pipe Dream

By Alexandros Petersen

In the geopolitical duel that is Eurasian pipeline diplomacy, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s August trip to Ankara was meant to be the riposte to July’s Nabucco pipeline signing ceremony.

Russia

New Atlanticist

Sep 11, 2009

9/11 Plus 8: Is Bin Laden a Failure?

By James Joyner

Tony Karon has a provocative piece in TIME arguing that Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda have failed regardless of how many innocents they have killed or will kill. He’s only half right.

National Security Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Sep 11, 2009

Putin Eyeing Return to Presidency?

By James Joyner

Vladimir Putin is hinting that he’ll seek re-election as president of Russia when he’s again eligible in 2012.

Russia

New Atlanticist

Sep 11, 2009

Afghan Announcement Delayed for Germany’s Elections

By Stephen Smith

Obama plans to shift 45,000 troops from Iraq to Afghanistan, enlisting more help from the United States’ European allies, but he will delay this until after Germany’s general election later this month, Spiegel reports.

Afghanistan Germany

New Atlanticist

Sep 10, 2009

Does France Deserve NATO Command Role?

By James Joyner

Nile Gardiner, a former researcher for Margaret Thatcher who heads up a center named in her honor at Heritage Foundation, writes in the Telegraph that “The French do not deserve a command role in NATO.”  He calls the news that French general Stéphane Abrial will be head Allied Command Transformation “a further weakening of the […]

France NATO

New Atlanticist

Sep 10, 2009

Gordon Brown Right on Afghanistan

By Harlan Ullman

Last Friday, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown delivered a major address on Afghanistan here in London. The speech was to mark a major change in British policy meant to refocus British efforts in this war and bring more resources across government to bear. The media did not favorably review the speech in part because it […]

Afghanistan United Kingdom
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