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

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

New Atlanticist

Apr 7, 2009

Gates Proposes Pentagon Budget Overhaul

By James Joyner

U.S. defense secretary Robert Gates has proposed a budget that would radically overhaul the Pentagon’s spending priorities, cutting or eliminating several major weapons systems in order to field more ground troops and better fight counterinsurgency missions. Congress will likely temper these changes.

New Atlanticist

Apr 7, 2009

Saving Europe’s Market Economy

By Mario Monti

If the world economy is in crisis, the market economy is even more in crisis. It is seen as unfair, having generated unacceptable inequalities; and inefficient, having attracted massive resources into financial activities whose contribution to the economy is questioned. Yet the world needs an integrated market economy, a necessary, though not sufficient, condition for […]

Economy & Business European Union

New Atlanticist

Apr 6, 2009

EU-Turkey Relations: Energy Talks Needed

By Alexandros Petersen

The White House is touting President Obama’s visit to Turkey as the cure-all that will not only put US-Turkey relations back on track, but help to resolve some of Europe’s energy security concerns.

Energy & Environment European Union

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