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

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.

New Atlanticist

May 13, 2009

New Central Asia, Caucasus Funding Effective?

By Peter Cassata

The State Department’s proposed budget for the fiscal year starting in October 2009 includes significant increases in economic aid for Central Asian countries as well as a net reduction in the combined amount given to Azerbaijan and Armenia. Questions about the aid’s effectiveness linger.

New Atlanticist

May 13, 2009

In Pakistan, Great Expectations … As Yet Unfulfilled

By Shuja Nawaz

Last week’s tripartite summit in Washington, D.C. during which President Barack Obama hosted President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan and President Asif Ali Zardari of Pakistan was a lot like a Chinese meal.

Pakistan

New Atlanticist

May 12, 2009

NATO Interests vs. National Interests

By Jeffrey Lightfoot

In his address yesterday to the Atlantic Council, NATO Supreme Allied Commander outlined a wish list of reforms he hopes the Alliance will take in the years to come to ensure the institution’s continued relevance in the 21st century.

NATO Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

May 12, 2009

Russia’s Big Fuss Over Little NATO Exercises

By David Smith

The first of two successive NATO Partnership for Peace (PfP) exercises began yesterday at the Vaziani Georgian Armed Forces Base, 30 kilometers east of Tbilisi. The objective of Exercises Longbow and Lancer is to improve the abilities of the 14 participating nations to respond cooperatively to crises.

NATO Russia

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