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.

Georgian Protests: A Threat to US-Russia Relations?

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

Apr 9, 2009

Georgian Protests: A Threat to US-Russia Relations?

By Valerie Nichols

Tbilisi has been overrun by tens of thousands of protestors. An estimated 60,000 people have turned up outside of Georgia’s parliament to rally against President Mikhail Saakashvili, blaming him for the 2008 disastrous conflict with Russia and continuing economic recession, as well as accusing him of stifling democracy.

Russia The Caucasus

New Atlanticist

Apr 9, 2009

Public Relations, North Korean Style

By Patrick deGategno

North Korea’s launch of a Taep’odong-2 prototype intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) over the weekend was a political success for the Kim Jong-Il regime on a series of levels. The North effectively used international law to test its missile technology, the Obama administration, and the resolve of UNSC and the other 5 members of the Six-Party […]

Korea Missile Defense

New Atlanticist

Apr 9, 2009

Central Asia Key to Afghan Success

By Borut Grgic and Alexandros Petersen

As the United States prepares to deploy an additional 17,000 troops to the troubled Afghan theater, Kyrgyzstan to the north vows to close the U.S. air base at Manas, considered vital for continued operations in Afghanistan.

New Atlanticist

Apr 8, 2009

Game Changer in Somalia? Not yet

By Derek Reveron

The seizure of the M/V Maersk Alabama represents a first in the recent increase in ship hijackings in the vicinity of Somalia. It is the first US-flagged vessel to be seized and its crew are the first Americans to be kidnapped by Somali pirates. While significant, this does not necessarily make it a problem for […]

Somalia

New Atlanticist

Apr 8, 2009

Somali Pirates Capture U.S. Vessel, World Attention

By James Easaw

Over the past week, there has been a rash of maritime hijackings off the East African coast after what had been something of a lull. But New Atlanticist readers were not surprised.

Somalia

New Atlanticist

Apr 8, 2009

Nabucco Pipeline: Over Before It Started?

By Alexandros Petersen

Europe’s energy consumers should have breathed a sigh of relief last month, when German Chancellor Angela Merkel reversed field to support EU funding for the Nabucco pipeline and the union earmarked €200 million of seed funding for the project in its coming budget.

Energy & Environment European Union

New Atlanticist

Apr 8, 2009

Stopping a Nuclear North Korea and Iran

By Harlan Ullman

North Korea’s unsuccessful attempt to put a communications satellite in space last week was doubtlessly timed to throw a monkey wrench into President Barack Obama’s visit to Europe.

Korea

New Atlanticist

Apr 7, 2009

Pentagon Bets on COIN, Against Peer Competitor

By Magnus Nordenman

For years the debate has raged within and outside the US military on whether the US should focus on this war or the next big fight. The “this war” crowd argues that not only does the US need to focus on the current warfighting requirements, but that the future security scenarios will consist of the […]

New Atlanticist

Apr 7, 2009

Bosnia Stumbles on Road to EU

By Borut Grgic

The saying went something like this: After we sort out Kosovo’s independence, the rest of the Balkans’ transition and accession to the European Union will be routine procedure. But now there is a new hurdle in the road, and it’s a high one: Bosnia.

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Apr 7, 2009

Afghanistan after the NATO Summit: A Stronger Alliance or a Quick Fix?

By Valerie Nichols

NATO’s 60th Anniversary Summit ended with a cheerful photo-op and a pleased President Obama. America’s NATO allies have pledged 5,000 more troops for Afghanistan and a lot of cash. But is this a real contribution to bolstering the alliance or simply a vocal display of camaraderie?

Afghanistan NATO

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