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

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

New Atlanticist

Dec 30, 2008

From Peshawar to Batumi: Time to Realize the East-West Corridor

By David Smith

Hakimullah Mehsud makes an eloquent practical argument for development of the East-West Corridor that runs from the Black Sea to the Caspian, across Georgia and Azerbaijan. His Taliban guerillas are attacking NATO supply convoys traveling from Pakistan to Afghanistan and they recently struck a major logistics depot in the Pakistani town of Peshawar.

NATO Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Dec 29, 2008

A Marshall Plan for Afghanistan?

By James Joyner

Former Afghan finance minister Ashraf Ghani — a member of the Atlantic Council’s International Advisory Board — calls for a Marshall Plan for his country in an op-ed in today’s Independent. He argues that “The Obama Presidency provides a second chance to get Afghanistan right” and that the way to turn around this failed state […]

Afghanistan

Planned South Stream and Nabucco Gas Pipelines

New Atlanticist

Dec 29, 2008

Pipeline Politics: Gazprom Seals Serbia Deal

By Peter Cassata

Gazprom has purchased a controlling 51 percent stake in Serbia’s state oil company, NIS. Equally as significant, Dmitry Medvedev and Serbian president Boris Tadic also signed a declaration of intent to include Serbia in the planned South Stream pipeline that will supply gas to Europe.

Energy & Environment European Union

New Atlanticist

Dec 28, 2008

Taliban Shadow Government Nears Kabul

By James Joyner

The Taliban is in de facto control of an increasing part of Afghanistan, Jason Straziuso and Amir Shah report for the AP. The Taliban has long operated its own shadow government in the most dangerous parts of Afghanistan, but its power is now spreading north to the doorstep of Kabul, according to Associated Press interviews […]

Afghanistan

New Atlanticist

Dec 28, 2008

Euro at 10

By James Joyner

The euro turns ten with the new year and the tributes are rolling out. An AP “Euro at a Glance” piece shows the vital statistics: • The euro zone currently encompasses 15 countries with a combined population of 320 million and a 16.4 percent share of world gross domestic product.

New Atlanticist

Dec 27, 2008

Pakistan Readies for War with India

By James Joyner

Pakistan is reportedly moving large numbers of troops to its border with India and canceling leave for soldiers. At the same time, however, it is signaling that it wishes very much to avoid war.

Pakistan

New Atlanticist

Dec 26, 2008

Pakistan Scales Down Anti-Terrorist Operations

By James Joyner

Pakistan has diverted troops away from anti-terrorist operations in order to safeguard against an attack from India. Meanwhile, India and Saudi Arabia are calling for “joint action” against terrorists. BBC: The Pakistani military has scaled down its operations against Islamist militants in the north-west following tensions with India, officials say.

Pakistan

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