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.

Back on the “Special Relationship” Merry-go-round

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

Jan 6, 2009

Back on the “Special Relationship” Merry-go-round

By Alex Massie

Sure as eggs is eggs, the arrival of a new American president heralds fresh fretting in the British press over the precise state of the so-called “Special Relationship”. Today’s text comes courtesy of Rachel Sylvester, writing in the Times. It’s worth considering in some detail:

United Kingdom

New Atlanticist

Jan 6, 2009

Helping Ukraine Help Itself

By Nikolas Gvosdev

We are seeing a familiar pattern repeating itself. A dispute between Naftohaz and Gazprom leads to an interruption in Ukraine’s gas supply. Deliveries to Europe are affected. Russia is criticized for its use of “the energy weapon”. Then, everything is patched up, the gas flows again and the West loses interest in the matter until […]

Energy & Environment Russia

New Atlanticist

Jan 6, 2009

Polls: Gaza and Sarkozy

By James Joyner

Our new poll asks, “Who is most to blame for the current violence in Gaza?“ Is it Hamas, whose refusal to stop terrorist rocket attacks on Israeli civilians provoked the attacks? Or is it Israel, for swatting at a gnat with a sledgehammer?

Israel

New Atlanticist

Jan 6, 2009

Germany’s Ever-Changing Stimulus Package

By Peter Cassata

First it was €40 billion. Then it was €25 billion. Now it may be as high as €50 ($68.1) billion. The plan, which will reportedly focus on schools and public works, remains stalled by conflicting domestic political debates over tax cuts within Merkel’s governing coalition.

European Union Germany

New Atlanticist

Jan 5, 2009

Transatlantic Divide on Israel Attacks in Gaza

By James Joyner

In a post titled “Transatlantic Differences,” Alex Massie muses about how differently Americans would react than Brits to news that two members of the shadow cabinet of the conservative party had entered (separately) into homosexual civil unions.

Israel Middle East

New Atlanticist

Jan 5, 2009

Energy Independence Fallacy

By Robert Manning

A smart energy policy is one that successfully integrates energy security (adequate, reliable supplies of energy at reasonable prices), national security and climate change policies so that they are not pulling in opposite directions. President-elect Barack Obama’s choices of former EPA administrator Carol Browner to coordinate energy and environment policies, and of Steven Chu, director […]

New Atlanticist

Jan 5, 2009

The War in Georgia and Europe’s Terrible Silence

By David Smith

Four months after the hot phase of Russia’s war on Georgia, Russia continues to violate the European Union-brokered ceasefire agreements of August 12 and September 8. Notwithstanding, the EU on December 2 resumed Partnership and Cooperation Agreement talks with Russia, which it had suspended September 1 in the wake of Russia’s August assault on Georgia.

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Jan 2, 2009

Taxing Credit Default Swaps

By Mark Foley

It is common wisdom that the incoming administration cannot possibly increase government tax revenues in these horrific economic conditions. However, this common wisdom is simply wrong. There is a major new source of revenue available to the government – the shadow financial system.

New Atlanticist

Dec 31, 2008

New Year’s Déjà Vu: Will Russia Cut Off Gas to Ukraine?

By Peter Cassata

Russia is threatening to cut off gas flows to Ukraine on January 1 if Kyiv does not fork over $2 billion in late payments and finalize new gas prices for 2009. However, a stop in gas supplies now will be different than it was in January 2006; this time around Ukraine has amassed enough reserves […]

Energy & Environment Ukraine

New Atlanticist

Dec 30, 2008

Eastern European Leadership Needed

By Peter Cassata

In 2009, an east European should fill the top spot of a major international organization, a recent Economist editorial argues. From power players like the EU Commission and NATO to “lesser posts” like OSCE, the Council of Europe, and the EBRD, east Europeans have been noticeably underrepresented at the leadership level.

European Union International Organizations

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