New Atlanticist

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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.

Sarkozy’s NATO Ploy

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.

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Sarkozy’s NATO Ploy

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

Sarkozy’s NATO Ploy

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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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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Content

New Atlanticist

Feb 18, 2009

Sarkozy’s NATO Ploy

By James Joyner

Judy Dempsey, IHT’s Berlin bureau chief, argues that Nicolas Sarkozy is making a play to bolster an independent European defensive alliance.

NATO Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Feb 18, 2009

Russian Occupation Threatens East-West Corridor

By David Smith

Another round of international talks on the Georgian territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia is underway this week in Geneva.  Meanwhile, Russia is tightening its vice-grip, transforming the two occupied territories into military garrisons.

Russia The Caucasus

New Atlanticist

Feb 18, 2009

New Direction for Russian Oil: Moscow and Beijing Reach Energy Deal

By Peter Cassata

An energy pact signed yesterday moves Russia-China cooperation beyond SCO military exercises.  The deal helps China reduce its dependency on Middle Eastern oil and offers Russia the opportunity to fundamentally change its energy export policy.  Europe should be watching with an introspective eye.

New Atlanticist

Feb 17, 2009

France and Germany Suddenly Interested in Iraq

By James Joyner

Western European involvement in Iraq’s economy may be about to undergo radical transformation, Sebastian Abbot reports for AP. Germany’s foreign minister met with top Iraqi leaders in Baghdad on Tuesday in the latest high-level visit by a major Western nation that opposed the 2003 U.S.-led invasion but has promised to help Iraq rebuild now that […]

Germany Iraq

New Atlanticist

Feb 17, 2009

Canada: Time for ‘Frank Discussion’ About NATO Future

By James Joyner

Canadian defense minister Peter MacKay argues that NATO faces an existential crisis in Afghanistan and it’s time for “a frank discussion” about the future of the alliance. 

Afghanistan NATO

New Atlanticist

Feb 17, 2009

EU is Losing its Grip on Caspian Gas Corridor

By Borut Grgic

The European Union faces two obstacles to its project to pipe gas via a southern corridor from the Caspian region and thus reduce western Europe’s dependence on Russian supplies: Turkey’s attitude and the Balkan activities of Gazprom, the state-controlled Russian oil monopoly.

Energy & Environment European Union

New Atlanticist

Feb 16, 2009

Pakistan Agrees to Sharia Law in Malakand

By James Joyner

Pakistan has agreed to limited Sharia law in its Malakand region as part of a wider truce with the Taliban.  The government agreed to implement Islamic law and suspend a military offensive across a large swath of northwest Pakistan on Monday in concessions aimed at pacifying a spreading Taliban insurgency there.

Pakistan

New Atlanticist

Feb 15, 2009

NATO Afghanistan Mission Risks Repeating Russia’s Mistakes

By James Joyner

The twentieth anniversary of Russia’s withdrawal from Afghanistan is bringing natural comparisons with the NATO mission now in its eighth year.  Abdul Saboor, writing for Reuters, recalls a Soviet airstrike that killed 30 civilians and sees many similarities. A string of bungled U.S. and NATO air strikes killed 455 Afghan civilians last year, according to […]

Afghanistan NATO

New Atlanticist

Feb 15, 2009

Swiss Banks Going Back to Basics

By James Joyner

After devastating losses, Switzerland’s top banks are getting out of speculative investing and back into client service, Hui Min Neo reports for AFP.

New Atlanticist

Feb 14, 2009

G7 Ministers Reject Protectionism While Governments Protect

By James Joyner

The G7 warned against protectionist measures earlier today, AP reports. Rejecting protectionism, the Group of Seven finance ministers pledged Saturday to work together to support growth and employment and to strengthen the banking system so the world can overcome its worst financial crisis in 50 years.

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