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.

McChrystal, COIN and Drones

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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McChrystal, COIN and Drones

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

McChrystal, COIN and Drones

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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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

May 19, 2009

McChrystal, COIN and Drones

By Bernard Finel

The firing of General McKiernan in Afghanistan and his replacement with General McChrystal has prompted some interested debate and discussion. Three of the arguments that emerged are of particular interest and deserve further comment.

Afghanistan

New Atlanticist

May 19, 2009

Nabucco: End of the Line?

By Nikolas Gvosdev

Moscow’s success at moving the South Stream project forward carries some important lessons for Western policymakers.  Too often, decision-makers in Washington, Ottawa and the capitals of Europe have been unable to set priorities and stick to a course of action when competing preferences have reared their heads.

Energy & Environment European Union

New Atlanticist

May 19, 2009

Energy and Russia’s National Security Strategy

By Roman Kupchinsky

On May 12 Russian President Dmitry Medvedev approved the latest version of the “National Security Strategy of the Russian Federation up to 2020” (Security Council of the Russian Federation, May 12).

Energy & Environment Russia

New Atlanticist

May 18, 2009

Barack and Bibi: Treading Water?

By Don Snow

Israeli Prime Minister Benyimin (Bibi) Netanyahou is coming calling to the White House today. After the self-flagellation of delivering the commencement address at Notre Dame, it may seem a relief for Obama. Alternately, of course, it could produce a second Excedrin headache.

New Atlanticist

May 18, 2009

U.S. Military: Future Scenarios

By Derek Reveron

The U.S. Department of Defense has begun its quadrennial defense review (QDR) with the goal of assessing the threats and challenges facing the United States in order to balance strategies, capabilities and forces.  This is the fourth QDR and the results will not be known or released until early 2010.

New Atlanticist

May 18, 2009

EU Needs a Political Deal with Turkey on Gas

By Borut Grgic and Alexandros Petersen

Delegations from countries as disparate as the United Kingdom and Turkmenistan met in Prague on Friday to promote the co-called Southern Corridor, an energy transit route connecting eager Caspian producers with hungry European consumers.

Energy & Environment European Union

New Atlanticist

May 16, 2009

NATO Should Help in Pakistan

By Leo Michel and Shuja Nawaz

Pakistan needs help.  President Asif Ali Zardari and army chief General Ashfaq Kayani, who were publicly urged last month by Defense Secretary Robert Gates to “recognize the real threats to their country,” have sent a considerable military force to staunch the spreading extremist threat in the Swat region near Afghanistan.

Pakistan

New Atlanticist

May 15, 2009

Medvedev Announces Review of NGO Restrictions

By Peter Cassata

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev launched a legislative review of restrictions placed on non-governmental organizations under Putin’s tenure.

Russia

New Atlanticist

May 14, 2009

What is the Threat in Pakistan?

By Bernard Finel

Andrew Sullivan approvingly quotes an essay by Professor Manan Ahmed that attacks the claim that Pakistan is a failed state.

New Atlanticist

May 13, 2009

Youssef Boutros Ghali Discusses IMF, Economic Crisis

The Atlantic Council’s Global Business and Economics program hosted Youssef Boutros Ghali, the Finance Minister of Egypt and chair of the IMF’s International Monetary and Financial Committee, for a conference call to discuss the IMF’s response to the global economic crisis’ effects in developing countries.

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