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.

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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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 […]

New Atlanticist

Jul 1, 2009

Contradictions in Counterinsurgency: U.S. Drone Strikes in the Tribal Areas

By Brendan Boundy

U.S. and Pakistani anti-Taliban operations along the AfPak border are plagued by contradiction, recent reports say. A counterinsurgency doctrine emphasizing population protection that also relies upon unmanned armed drones will inevitably kill innocents in addition to terrorists.

Pakistan

New Atlanticist

Jul 1, 2009

Rule Britannia

By Harlan Ullman

Late last month Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei pointedly restated Great Britain’s longstanding designation as Tehran’s public enemy No. 1, surpassing the Great Satan America and Zionist Israel. In this verbal assault, the clerics credited “Perfidious Albion” with manipulating and even controlling the actions of the United States in confronting Iran and containing its […]

United Kingdom

New Atlanticist

Jul 1, 2009

Jones: International Community Still Failing in Afghanistan

By James Joyner

A January 2008 Atlantic Council report began, “Make no mistake, the international community is not winning in Afghanistan.” General Jim Jones, who was chairman of both the Council and that report, tells WaPo’s Bob Woodward that, “We are doing the same things well and the same things poorly.”

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