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.

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

Dec 22, 2008

Perevi: Peculiar Perambulations

By David Smith

More than 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. Russia agreed to return to pre-August 7 lines and to withdraw its forces from areas of Georgia adjacent to the separatist territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. It has […]

Russia The Caucasus

New Atlanticist

Dec 20, 2008

What’s ‘New’ About Ukraine’s New Coalition?

By Peter Cassata

Just days ago, the BBC reported that the leaders of Yushchenko and Tymoshenko’s respective parties had agreed to form a new governing coalition after the previous one collapsed in September. But of course, doubts have already emerged about this arrangement. Last Monday, Nikolas Gvosdev noted the fragile nature of the new “coalition.”

Ukraine

New Atlanticist

Dec 20, 2008

NATO – Russia Diplomatic Relations Resume

By James Joyner

NATO and Russia are talking again for the first time since the August invasion of Georgia, AP reports. NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer and Dmitry Rogozin, Moscow’s ambassador to the alliance, met over lunch Friday in the first high-level meeting after a four-month hiatus caused by the war.

NATO Russia

New Atlanticist

Dec 19, 2008

Merkel Shifts, Approves German Stimulus Package

By Peter Cassata

Following weeks of disagreement with Brussels, and France and the UK in particular, the German government has agreed to a second stimulus package of nearly €40 ($55.5) billion. Merkel faced a strong backlash throughout Europe in recent weeks from critics who felt the government was not responding adequately to Germany’s economic downturn. Her refusal to […]

European Union Germany

New Atlanticist

Dec 19, 2008

Fighting Poverty with Profit

By James Joyner

Alan Wood argues that it’s time to rethink how we fight poverty in the developing world, shifting from aid to profit-based approaches. Quite a while ago, trade and development economist Peter Bauer (1915-2002) of the London School of Economics famously remarked that aid was a transfer of wealth from poor people in rich countries to […]

Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Dec 19, 2008

Poland Slashes Early Retirement Benefits

By James Joyner

Poland has drastically cut the number of workers eligible for early retirement, AP reports. Under current law, workers in some professions can retire and receive a state pension after only 15 years of employment.

Poland

New Atlanticist

Dec 19, 2008

Russia: We’ll Trade Missiles for Defense Shield

By James Joyner

Reuters passes on word that “Russia will stop developing some strategic weapons if the United States drops plans for a missile shield in Europe, Interfax news agency quoted the commander of Russia’s strategic missile forces as saying on Friday.” Correspondent Oleg Shchedrov conjectures that, “The remarks may be another step in Moscow’s efforts to build […]

Russia

New Atlanticist

Dec 18, 2008

Fostering Civil Society in Georgia

By Cynthia Romero

Standing in front of Sameba Cathedral in Tbilisi on a recent trip, I couldn’t help but be in awe of this striking building. The new church is a work in progress, abuzz with activity, and well attended by the city’s residents, including many of its young people. While many of Georgia’s churches are of great […]

The Caucasus

New Atlanticist

Dec 18, 2008

NATO a House Divided Against Itself?

By James Joyner

NATO must “find a political voice or collapse,” says Times of London defense editor Michael Evans. “It has become so multi-tasked, so desperate to get involved in everything from cyber warfare to anti-piracy and missile defence, let alone a hugely draining and complex campaign in Afghanistan, that it has lost its way.”

NATO Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Dec 18, 2008

Global Governance Deficit

By Robert Manning

Once again, a crisis is brewing in Somalia, this time compounded by the global impact of piracy around its waters. And once again, it illustrates several dimensions of the global governance deficit arising from the challenge of weak and failing states, still, all too often, largely unmet.

International Organizations Politics & Diplomacy

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