New Atlanticist

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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.

NATO: Afghanistan Drug Raids Imminent

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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NATO: Afghanistan Drug Raids Imminent

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

NATO: Afghanistan Drug Raids Imminent

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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Content

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

New Atlanticist

Feb 6, 2009

EU and Russia Meet on Energy and Security

By James Joyner

Leaders of the European Union and Russia are meeting today for the first time since the gas crisis, more for the purpose of testing the waters than achieving any diplomatic breakthroughs, Oleg Shchederov reports for Reuters.

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Feb 5, 2009

Protectionism Wave Crashing Over Global Economy

By James Joyner

One disturbing but predictable response to the global financial crisis has been the rise of legislation aimed at protecting domestic industries and jobs by various anti-trade measures.

New Atlanticist

Feb 5, 2009

The Engagement Fallacy

By Robert Manning

One of the great (and ridiculously overused) foreign policy buzzwords of our times is engagement.  Do we “engage” (pick your poison) Iran, North Korea, Hamas, and so on?  We speak of engagement as if it were not a means to an end, but an end in itself. 

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