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.

Russia Summit Achieves Little, As Expected

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

Jul 7, 2009

Russia Summit Achieves Little, As Expected

By James Joyner

Naval War College professor Nick Gvosdev, a contributing editor at the Atlantic Council, argued in advance of the trip that “Despite all the promises about a ‘reset’ in the U.S.-Russia relationship, the Obama administration still seems to be following a script crafted by its predecessor” but predicted that the visit would be “symbolically triumphal.” He […]

Russia

New Atlanticist

Jul 7, 2009

Honduras Coup and America’s Democracy Policy

By Bernard Finel

Latin America watchers have been transfixed over the past week with developments in Honduras. At first glance, the issue is simple: a group of armed thugs overthrew a democratic regime. This sort of military coup — which echoes the regimes of cliched colonels in sunglasses — was thought to have been relegated to the Latin […]

Latin America

New Atlanticist

Jul 7, 2009

Iran: Pursuing the Apocalypse

By Rafael Bardaji

The Islamic Republic of Iran has sealed its fate with the ruthless repression of its opponents, shelving the vote fraud, and granting legitimacy to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s second term in office. And if we do not do anything against this development, we will have sealed our fate, too.

Iran

New Atlanticist

Jul 7, 2009

Time to Shoot Down Missile Defense

By Don Snow

President Obama is in Moscow meeting with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, with the shadow Vladimir Putin not far from their sight. The highlight of the talks, which are aimed at improving relations with Russia typically soured by the Bush administration, center on nuclear arms agreements, which were at the heart of Cold War negotiations and […]

Missile Defense Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Jul 6, 2009

Russia and the West: Mindset, not Reset

By Jeffrey Lightfoot

When President Obama arrives in Moscow today for his much-anticipated summit with President Medvedev, he should temper his expectations. A dramatic improvement in the West’s relationship with Russia is unlikely to take place unless the “reset” moment is accompanied by a change in mindset from both parties.

Russia

New Atlanticist

Jul 6, 2009

Barack Obama: Global Leader

By Derek Reveron

Eighteen months before he was elected president, Barack Obama wrote in Foreign Affairs: The American moment is not over, but it must be seized anew. To see American power in terminal decline is to ignore America’s great promise and historic purpose in the world. If elected president, I will start renewing that promise and purpose […]

United States and Canada

New Atlanticist

Jul 6, 2009

Europe’s Dwindling Interest in Afghanistan: The Case of Germany

By Brendan Boundy

European interest in supporting NATO’s Afghanistan mission is low and getting lower. Recent events in Germany are a case in point.

Afghanistan Germany

New Atlanticist

Jul 2, 2009

Tony Blair: President of Europe?

By James Joyner

Tony Blair is reportedly opening campaigning for the yet-to-be-created position of European President. Sweden and Spain are quietly trying to thwart him.

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Jul 2, 2009

U.S. Launches Major Afghan Offensive

By James Joyner

Operation Khanjar, a massive show of force in Helmand Valley, has kicked off today in what may be the last chance for the success of the NATO mission in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan NATO

New Atlanticist

Jul 1, 2009

Open Letter to President Obama on Russia

By Damon Wilson

Dear Mr. President: You have stated your intention to forge a positive relationship between the United States and Russia. We write on the eve of your summit meeting with President Dmitry Medvedev to express our belief that such a relationship requires a commitment by both countries to democracy and human rights and to urge […]

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