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.

Israeli Election: Netanyahu Loses, Right Wins

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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Dive deep into developing stories, guided by continually updated expert analysis that leaves you better informed about the most pressing global issues behind the headlines.

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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.

New Atlanticist

Feb 11, 2009

Israeli Election: Netanyahu Loses, Right Wins

By James Joyner

While Binyamin Netanyahu and his Likud Party had a much poorer showing than expected, with Tzipi Livini’s Kadima Party apparently winning more seats, all indications are that Israel’s next government will be more nationalistic and strident than the current one.

Israel

New Atlanticist

Feb 11, 2009

Council Welcomes Senator Chuck Hagel, Our New Chairman

By The Editors

We are delighted to welcome Senator Chuck Hagel as the new chairman of the Atlantic Council. Hagel, who served two terms representing Nebraska from 1997 to 2009, received the Atlantic Council’s Distinguished International Leadership Award in 2004.

New Atlanticist

Feb 10, 2009

Smart Power Coming to a Country near You

By Derek Reveron

With an effort to doing things better than the Bush Administration, the Obama administration seems focused on using “smart power.” During her confirmation hearing, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton testified, “I believe that American leadership has been wanting, but is still wanted. We must use what has been called smart power: the full range of […]

New Atlanticist

Feb 10, 2009

Munich: First Look at Obama Foreign Policy, Big Boost for Georgia

By David Smith

Last weekend’s 45th Munich Security Conference afforded the world its first look at the emerging foreign policy of U.S. President Barack Obama. The conference’s mostly European audience heard the constructive new tone for which it had hoped. However, the substantive policy studiously delivered by all Administration representatives in Munich was one of cautious continuity.

Germany United States and Canada

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

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