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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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

Dec 15, 2008

Switzerland: Suicide Haven

By James Joyner

A British television airing of a suicide has suddenly brought to light Switzerland’s status as a haven for those wishing to end their lives. Frank Jordans reports for AP: Drawn by Switzerland’s reputation as a trouble-free place for foreigners to end their lives, more than 100 Germans, Britons, French, Americans and others come to this […]

New Atlanticist

Dec 15, 2008

Chinese Wisdom on the Financial Crisis

By Derek Reveron

James Fallows in this month’s Atlantic brings a Chinese view to the global financial crisis and planned U.S. economic stimulus plans. Based on an interview with the President of the China Investment Corporation, Gao Xiquing, China offers some words of wisdom to the incoming Obama administration as it attempts to restart the U.S. economy—be nice; […]

New Atlanticist

Dec 14, 2008

Lisbon Treaty: If At First You Don’t Succeed…

By Peter Cassata

Try, try again. Or so it seems with European treaties (and Ireland). Late last week EU leaders agreed on concessions to Ireland that will likely pave the way for a second Lisbon treaty referendum in the country. The editors of the Times took particular issue with the development, stating that the EU has a problem […]

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Dec 12, 2008

Big 3 Bailout: View From Europe

By James Joyner

News that Senate Republicans killed the bailout of the Big 3 U.S. auto companies has set stocks tumbling around the world. In the major European papers available in English, we’re seeing headlines like “World markets slump as US car industry bail-out fails” (Guardian), “US car industry set to collapse as bailout fails” (Times of London)

New Atlanticist

Dec 12, 2008

Switzerland Opens Borders to Europe

By James Joyner

Switzerland has opened its borders to Europe, Deutsche Welle reports: For the 700,000 commuters who cross the borders between European Union countries and Switzerland every day, life got just a little bit easier on Friday.

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Dec 12, 2008

Quote of the Day

By James Joyner

“People assume we should be offended that somebody in the military thinks our song is annoying enough that played over and over it can psychologically break someone down. I take it as an honor to think that perhaps our song could be used to quell another 9/11 attack or something like that.” – Bassist Steve […]

New Atlanticist

Dec 12, 2008

China on a Diet as Consumption Drops?

By Peter Cassata

Figures published Wednesday on China’s economy show the country doing worse than the World Bank previously anticipated, boding poorly for China’s chances of avoiding the global downturn as well as for the West’s hopes of possible bailout assistance from Asia.

Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Dec 11, 2008

Britain’s Shameful Iraq Withdrawal?

By Neil Leslie

Britain announced that it could withdraw its 4,100 remaining troops from Iraq by June 2009 if Iraqi elections in January go off peacefully. The withdrawal will mark the end of a six-year campaign, and the conclusion of an unpopular war both at home and abroad. Yet British troops can leave with their heads held high, […]

Iraq United Kingdom

New Atlanticist

Dec 11, 2008

Steven Chu, First Scientist Energy Secretary

By Erica McCarthy

It emerged last night that President-Elect Barack Obama will “likely” name physicist Steven Chu as the next Secretary of Energy. This is one of the most significant appointments the President-Elect has made yet, due to both the nature of the position and the unique background of the appointee. The official announcement is expected next week […]

New Atlanticist

Dec 11, 2008

Russia’s Millionaires Suffering

By James Joyner

Times are tough, it seems, even for Russian millionaires, TIME’s John Wendle reports. These days, Russia’s wealthy can’t always get what they want. The country’s once soaring economy is in freefall — growth, which averaged 7% over the past five years, could drop below 2% in 2009 according to economists — and it’s taking the […]

Russia

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