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.

Cyber Attack Shuts Down Twitter and Facebook

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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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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New Atlanticist

Aug 7, 2009

Cyber Attack Shuts Down Twitter and Facebook

By James Joyner

Yesterday, Twitter, Facebook, and other popular social media sites were brought to a halt by distributed denial of service attacks. It appears the target was a lone blogger in Georgia and the attack was timed to coincide with the anniversary of Russia’s invasion of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

Cybersecurity Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Aug 7, 2009

There Is a Military Option on Iran

By Chuck Wald

In a policy address at the Council on Foreign Relations last month, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said of Iran, “We cannot be afraid or unwilling to engage.” But the Iranian government has yet to accept President Obama’s outstretched hand. Even if Tehran suddenly acceded to talks, U.S. policy makers must prepare for the eventuality […]

Iran

New Atlanticist

Aug 7, 2009

U.S.-China Strategic & Economic Dialogue

By Patrick deGategno and Damien Tomkins

If you think the first U.S.-China Strategic & Economic Dialogue last week lacked substance, you are wrong. It was a promising step in the growing bilateral relationship.

China United States and Canada

New Atlanticist

Aug 7, 2009

The Global War on Terror Now Just A Global War on Terror

By Bernard Finel

John Brennan, President Obama’s senior advisor on terrorism, gave a speech yesterday that was supposed to signal something of a new approach to the challenge. But in proclaiming that al Qaeda “remains the most serious terrorist threat we face as a nation” and “the most immediate and extreme threat to global security the possibility that […]

New Atlanticist

Aug 6, 2009

Bill Clinton’s North Korea Gambit

By James Joyner

While the release of journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee from a North Korean prison has universally been hailed as good news, the trip by former President Bill Clinton that made it possible has been controversial.

Korea

New Atlanticist

Aug 6, 2009

Diplomacy is Not a Doctrine

By Robert Manning

It is a reminder of how far discourse on foreign policy had been distorted that former Bush speechwriter and now-Washington Post columnist Michael Gerson has declared the basic act of diplomacy the “Obama Doctrine.”

New Atlanticist

Aug 6, 2009

Mixed U.S. Reaction to Iran

By Brendan Boundy

Yesterday Mahmoud Ahmadinejad formally began his second term as President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. But for Ahmadinejad, what should be a celebratory moment of transition now serves as yet another reminder of the turmoil that engulfed Iran following the disputed June 12 elections.

Iran United States and Canada

New Atlanticist

Aug 5, 2009

Eurasia Gas Paradox

By Boyko Nitzov

The Eurasia gas market is a paradox: declining consumer demand and ample reserves live side-by-side with potential gas shortages. Already hit hard in early 2009, consumers in a good dozen EU countries may be up for another cold spell this coming winter.

Energy & Environment

New Atlanticist

Aug 5, 2009

Obama’s Options in the Middle East Peace Process

By Harlan Ullman

The visits last week to the Middle East by national security adviser James L. Jones and special envoy George Mitchell raise the question of the Obama administration’s aims and expectations in bringing a greater measure of peace and stability to a conflict that so far has defied solution.

New Atlanticist

Aug 5, 2009

Biden Defines Europe Policy

By Damon Wilson

More than any other official, Vice President Biden has helped define the Obama administration approach to Europe. While the President has made an unprecedented three trips to Europe during his first six months in office (including heavy lifts in Turkey and Russia), his visits were built around obligatory summits more often focused on global issues […]

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