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.

Experts react: What did the European Council just say about Ukraine and Bosnia and Herzegovina?

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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Fast Thinking

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.

Experts React

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.

Markup

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

New Atlanticist

Mar 22, 2024

Experts react: What did the European Council just say about Ukraine and Bosnia and Herzegovina?

By Atlantic Council experts

The European Council held its quarterly meeting on March 21-22 to set the political direction for the European Union on a range of issues.

Economy & Business European Union

New Atlanticist

Mar 22, 2024

Ahead of its presidential election, Senegal shows that democracy requires the rule of law

By James Storen, Annie (Yu-Lin) Lee

For Senegal to cement its status as a haven of democracy, the country must prioritize judicial independence and the rule of law.

Elections Freedom and Prosperity

Inside the Taliban's gender apartheid

Mar 21, 2024

Afghan women’s rights are not a lost cause. Here’s what the international community can do.

By Parwana Paikan

The United Nations must prioritize Afghan women's rights in its policy agenda and avoid forms of engagement that could embolden the Taliban.

Afghanistan Human Rights

New Atlanticist

Mar 20, 2024

Gen. Laura Richardson on what an international response to Haiti might look like

By Katherine Golden

While the United States isn’t currently planning to put boots on the ground in Haiti, SOUTHCOM has a wide range of contingency plans, Richardson said at an AC Front Page event.

Caribbean Conflict

New Atlanticist

Mar 19, 2024

Even as war continues, NATO should open the door to defense integration with Ukraine

By Karsten Friis

The Alliance can begin integration in certain sectors, such as cybersecurity, air defense, logistics, training, and future force design.

Defense Policy Europe & Eurasia

New Atlanticist

Mar 19, 2024

There will be no ‘short, sharp’ war. A fight between the US and China would likely go on for years.

By Brian Kerg

US policymakers and military leaders must rigorously study and plan for a broad range of implications from a years-long war against China.

China Conflict

Experts react

Mar 18, 2024

Experts react: Pakistan just carried out airstrikes on Afghanistan. What’s next?

By Atlantic Council experts

How will Pakistan’s strikes inside Afghanistan affect the already tense relations between Islamabad and Kabul? Our experts share their insights.

Afghanistan Conflict

New Atlanticist

Mar 18, 2024

Addressing Haiti’s turmoil starts with its Caribbean neighbors—and US and Canadian support

By Jason Marczak, Wazim Mowla

A long-term approach is needed in which Caribbean leaders are in the driver’s seat, while Washington and Ottawa help to offset the costs.

Caribbean Crisis Management

New Atlanticist

Mar 15, 2024

Help Ukraine win—or risk kicking off a US losing streak

By Tod D. Wolters, Ann Marie Dailey

Supporting Ukraine isn’t charity. It is a way for the United States to reassert itself at a time when its influence is faltering.

Conflict National Security

Inside the Taliban's gender apartheid

Mar 14, 2024

Why the Taliban’s persecution of women meets the bar of a crime against humanity

By Azadah Raz Mohammad

Codifying gender apartheid as a crime against humanity is an important step toward holding the Taliban accountable.

Afghanistan Human Rights

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