New Atlanticist

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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.

‘Watching the Fall of Islamic Theocracy’

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.

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‘Watching the Fall of Islamic Theocracy’

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

‘Watching the Fall of Islamic Theocracy’

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

Jun 21, 2009

‘Watching the Fall of Islamic Theocracy’

By James Joyner

The protests in Iran have entered a third week and the state media acknowledges that the death toll has reached 19 and that hundreds have been injured. Fareed Zakaria, a man not noted for idle leaps, proclaims, “we are watching the fall of Islamic theocracy.”

New Atlanticist

Jun 19, 2009

Comparing French and American Secondary Schools

By James Joyner

The blogosphere has had a bit of fun with a reports on the difficulty of the baccalauréat, the national qualification examination for entries into French universities.  The questions seem impossibly hard to some American eyes and raise questions about the comparative quality of the two school systems.

New Atlanticist

Jun 19, 2009

Albright on the Complexity of International Relations

By James Joyner

At the inaugural Bronislaw Geremek Lecture last night, Dr. Madeleine Albright give those of us in attendance some keen insights into the complexity of foreign policy decision-making.

NATO Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Jun 19, 2009

Barroso Faces Battle to Keep Job

By James Joyner

European Commission president José Manuel Barroso’s bid for re-election may be in trouble even though he has no challenger, represents the bloc that did best in the recent elections, and has the pledged support of the EU’s leaders.

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Jun 18, 2009

Soros Donates $100 Million to Europe

By James Joyner

George Soros is “giving $100m to central and eastern Europe to counter the impact of the economic crisis on the poor, voluntary groups and non-government organsations,” Stefan Wagstyl reports for FT.

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Jun 18, 2009

Pakistan’s Summer of Chaos

By Shuja Nawaz

As the summer solstice draws near, it seems as if all the evil spirits are coming out to haunt the body politic of Pakistan. The country faces an escalation in hostilities on many fronts. And unlike in the past, when sweet deals and concessions could woo militants and protesters into silence, this time no amount […]

New Atlanticist

Jun 17, 2009

Knowing When to Act

By Harlan Ullman

If you are president of the United States, how do you know when things are going wrong, and what to do about it, especially when the evidence is hidden in clear sight? These may be the toughest questions and conditions any president will face. Given the extraordinary pace with which the Obama administration has attacked […]

New Atlanticist

Jun 17, 2009

Whither the Social Democrats?

By Nicholas Siegel

As Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Germany’s current Foreign Minister and Hail Mary Social Democratic candidate for Chancellor in the September elections, began to speak at his inaugural campaign rally this Sunday in Berlin, Europe’s socialists held their collective breath. 

Germany

New Atlanticist

Jun 17, 2009

Negotiating with Iran without Preconditions

By James Joyner

Atlantic senior editor Andrew Sullivan has a short post up titled “No Recognition Of Ahmadinejad” in which he asserts, “This is the first and absolute requirement of all Western governments. The disgusting visuals of Medvedev and Ahmadinejad yesterday must not be repeated.”

New Atlanticist

Jun 17, 2009

Georgia after UNOMIG and EUMM

By David Smith

Russia on Monday kiboshed the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG).  Throughout the day, UN Security Council members failed to agree upon a two week extension that would have provided time for further negotiations.

European Union International Organizations
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