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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.

Getting NATO to Say ‘Yes’ on Afghanistan

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.

Read More

Getting NATO to Say ‘Yes’ on Afghanistan

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

Getting NATO to Say ‘Yes’ on Afghanistan

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

Feb 10, 2009

Getting NATO to Say ‘Yes’ on Afghanistan

By James Joyner

The United States has committed to an additional 30,000 troops for the Afghanistan mission and NATO secretary general Jaap de Hoop Scheffer has called on Europe to step up with a similar commitment.  France has already said no.  General David Petraeus asked again and was again rebuffed.  Today, Spain joined them.

Afghanistan NATO

New Atlanticist

Feb 10, 2009

Angela Merkel Barbie Doll

By James Joyner

Another one for the Headlines I Thought I’d Never See file:  “Dream Chancellor Barbie: Mattel debuts Merkel doll.” Barbie can add another dream job to her list — Germany’s first female head-of-state.  Toy company Mattel debuted the Chancellor Angela Merkel Barbie last week at an international toy fair in the southern city of Nuremberg.

Germany

New Atlanticist

Feb 9, 2009

Russia Reset Button Will Restore Default Values

By James Joyner

Speaking in Munich over the weekend, Vice President Joe Biden pledged to “press the reset button” on United States relations with Russia.   While this has brought renewed hope for some, most observers are rightly skeptical.

Russia

New Atlanticist

Feb 9, 2009

NATO: Afghanistan Drug Raids Imminent

By James Joyner

General John Craddock, head of NATO forces, announced Sunday that attacks on drug lords and labs in Afghanistan will begin within the “next several days.” 

Afghanistan NATO

New Atlanticist

Feb 8, 2009

Obama to Run Foreign Policy From White House

By James Joyner

One question many of us have had since the announcement that President Obama’s foreign policy team would include Hillary Clinton as State and Jim Jones at NSC was which of these two strong figures would emerge on top.  As I noted last week, “Realistically, one or the other will dominate.  My money’s on the general.”  […]

New Atlanticist

Feb 7, 2009

NATO Head: Europe Must ‘Share the Heavy Lifting’ in Afghanistan

By James Joyner

NATO secretary general Jaap de Hoop Scheffer today lambasted European members for their meager commitments to the Afghanistan mission, declaring, “Leadership and burdens — they go together.”

Afghanistan NATO

New Atlanticist

Feb 6, 2009

Europe Helping Iran Get Nuclear Weapons

By James Joyner

Benjamin Weinthal, the Jerusalem Post‘s Berlin correspondent, charges in WSJ Europe that European firms and governments, particularly those in Germany and Austria, are actively supporting the regime in Teheran and are at best indifferent to Iran’s nuclear program. 

Iran

New Atlanticist

Feb 6, 2009

NATO’s One Priority: Afghanistan

By David Capezza

As NATO approaches the April Kehl-Strasbourg Summit and sets its priorities to conform to the transforming international security environment, the leaders in the Alliance should be focusing on achieving one goal: winning in Afghanistan. 

Afghanistan NATO

New Atlanticist

Feb 6, 2009

Canada’s MacKay Unlikely NATO Secretary General

By James Joyner

While some have touted Canadian defense minister Peter MacKay as Jaap de Hoop Scheffer’s successor as NATO’s secretary general, precedent makes it highly unlikely. 

NATO Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Feb 6, 2009

Canada Encouraged on ‘Buy America’ Rollback

By James Joyner

Canada has expressed relief that the U.S. Senate has watered down the “Buy America” provision of the economic stimulus package currently under negotiation but that it will continue pressure to keep trade between the two countries open. John McCrank for  Reuters:

United States and Canada
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