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

Mar 26, 2009

Is Gordon Brown the British Leader?

By James Joyner

Daniel Hannan, a Member of the European Parliament, launched a “three-and-a-half-minute diatribe” against Gordon Brown earlier this week, calling him “The devalued Prime Minister of a devalued government.”

United Kingdom

New Atlanticist

Mar 26, 2009

Geithner Dollar Remarks Create Panic

By James Joyner

The call earlier this week by the head of China’s central bank for a new world reserve currency to replace the dollar got a surprising second yesterday from U.S. treasury secretary Timothy Geithner, who told the Council on Foreign Relations that the administration is “quite open” to the idea. Shockingly, this did not go over […]

Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Mar 25, 2009

Where is Obama on Europe?

By James Joyner

Pierre Vimont, France’s ambassador to the United States, noted at an Atlantic Council event discussing next week’s NATO summit, that President Obama and his administration have made very strong efforts to signal how they view America’s relationship with China, Iran, Russia, Afghanistan, and other parts of the world but has not yet let it be […]

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Mar 25, 2009

Czech Government Falls, Sends Ripples Throughout EU

By James Joyner

A vote of no confidence has left in doubt the future of Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek’s center-right government and, along with it, the direction of the EU and several key regional issues.

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Mar 25, 2009

Pakistan – USA Trust Gap Must be Closed

By Harlan Ullman

George Bernard Shaw quipped that England and America were two like nations divided by a common language. Today, Pakistan and America are divided by far more than language. One of the most divisive dangers beyond al Qaeda and extremism is the looming trust deficit between Pakistan and America.

Pakistan

New Atlanticist

Mar 25, 2009

Afghanistan: Counterinsurgency or Counterterrorism?

By James Joyner

Slate’s Fred Kaplan reports that, after weeks of strategic reviews, the Obama administration will have to decide by next week’s NATO summit between “two radically different Afghanistan policies.”

Afghanistan NATO

New Atlanticist

Mar 24, 2009

China: We Need New World Currency

By James Joyner

Zhou Xiochuan, head of China’s central bank, published a paper yesterday urging the creation of an international reserve currency independent of the dollar and under the control of the International Monetary Fund.

China

New Atlanticist

Mar 24, 2009

Obama’s Iran Endgame: More Than Meets the Eye

By Bernard Finel

There has been a lot of discussion over the last several days about Iran, mostly prompted by President Obama’s outreach to the Iranian public on the Iranian New Year.

Iran

New Atlanticist

Mar 23, 2009

Atlantic Update: G20 Consensus Remains Elusive

By Valerie Nichols

Bad news from the IMF arrived last week as the G20 emergency summit creeps closer and closer. The organization recently released some “depressing” figures. In what the BBC called its “gloomiest forecast yet,” the Fund predicted a world economy contraction of 0.5% to 1.0% in 2009. Only two months ago, the prediction had been of […]

Economy & Business European Union

New Atlanticist

Mar 23, 2009

Has NATO Lost Afghanistan?

By James Joyner

In an interviewed aired on last night’s installment of CBS’ “60 Minutes,” President Obama continued to define victory down in Afghanistan, stating that, “Making sure Al-Qaeda cannot attack the US homeland and US interests and our allies. That’s the number one priority.”

Afghanistan NATO

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