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.

The Menace of Piracy: India, the International Community and a UN Response

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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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

May 21, 2009

The Menace of Piracy: India, the International Community and a UN Response

By Arun Prakash

Although any government can claim jurisdiction to a crime committed on the high seas, regardless of the nationality of culprit, the international response to piracy has been largely confused and ineffective.

International Organizations Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

May 21, 2009

Pop Goes the Pipeline

By Alexandros Petersen

On April 9, a major pipeline that carries Turkmenistan’s vast natural gas resources to Russia exploded in a massive fireball. According to the Turkmen Foreign Ministry, the blast was caused by a “reckless and irresponsible” decrease in the amount of gas drawn from the pipeline by Russia’s state-owned energy company, Gazprom.

Energy & Environment

New Atlanticist

May 20, 2009

Global Economic Crisis: We Are Our Own Enemy

By Harlan Ullman

Of all the emerging threats we may face, the wolf closest to or already in the sled is here at home. It is, to repeat that childishly effective phrase of the 1992 presidential election, the economy stupid! Despite a rebound in the stock markets and expectations of “green shoots” of recovery, the economy is still […]

New Atlanticist

May 19, 2009

McChrystal, COIN and Drones

By Bernard Finel

The firing of General McKiernan in Afghanistan and his replacement with General McChrystal has prompted some interested debate and discussion. Three of the arguments that emerged are of particular interest and deserve further comment.

Afghanistan

New Atlanticist

May 19, 2009

Nabucco: End of the Line?

By Nikolas Gvosdev

Moscow’s success at moving the South Stream project forward carries some important lessons for Western policymakers. Too often, decision-makers in Washington, Ottawa and the capitals of Europe have been unable to set priorities and stick to a course of action when competing preferences have reared their heads.

Energy & Environment European Union

New Atlanticist

May 19, 2009

Energy and Russia’s National Security Strategy

By Roman Kupchinsky

On May 12 Russian President Dmitry Medvedev approved the latest version of the “National Security Strategy of the Russian Federation up to 2020” (Security Council of the Russian Federation, May 12).

Energy & Environment Russia

New Atlanticist

May 18, 2009

Barack and Bibi: Treading Water?

By Don Snow

Israeli Prime Minister Benyimin (Bibi) Netanyahou is coming calling to the White House today. After the self-flagellation of delivering the commencement address at Notre Dame, it may seem a relief for Obama. Alternately, of course, it could produce a second Excedrin headache.

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

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