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 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

New Atlanticist

Dec 26, 2008

Bypassing NATO?: Ukraine and Georgia Seek to Strengthen Ties with U.S.

By Peter Cassata

Will the U.S. extend security guarantees to Georgia and Ukraine on a bilateral basis? With NATO MAPs not on the table for the foreseeable future, pacts with the U.S. are emerging in both countries. However, Ukraine’s is nonbinding, and as my colleague James Joyner points out, Georgia’s seems largely symbolic. RFE/RL ran two articles about […]

NATO Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Dec 25, 2008

Geogia-U.S. Accord: Better than Nothing

By James Joyner

The United States and Georgia will sign a “strategic partnership treaty” in the New Year, AFP reports. “Georgian Minister of Foreign Affairs Grigol Vashadze and the US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will sign a strategic partnership treaty on January 4 in Washington,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Khatuna Iosava told AFP.

The Caucasus

New Atlanticist

Dec 24, 2008

German Stimulus Package Smaller Than Previously Announced

By Peter Cassata

Germany’s fiscal stimulus package will be smaller than earlier announced. Apparently, Spiegel‘s article from last week touting the availability of €40 ($56) billion in funds was incorrect; the figure is actually closer to €25 ($35) billion.

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Dec 24, 2008

Islamic Banks Surge, Thanks to Financial Crisis

By James Joyner

One unexpected byproduct of the global financial crisis has been a boom for Islamic banks. AP business writer Emma Vandore explains: France is becoming the latest country to woo Islamic banks, which avoided much of the damage from the subprime mortgage crisis by following strict principles laid out in the Quran — as the global […]

New Atlanticist

Dec 24, 2008

Europe May Take Guantanamo Detainees

By James Joyner

After years of denying requests from the Bush administration, Europe may be ready to help President-elect Obama solve the Gitmo problem. When the U.S. government asked years ago that countries take in detainees freed from the Guantanamo military prison, only tiny Albania answered the call.

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Dec 24, 2008

Russia May Cut Off Gas to Ukraine, Europe

By James Joyner

Moscow and Kiev are once again on a collision course over gas supplies. WaPo: Russia and Ukraine appear to be heading for a new collision over natural gas that could disrupt supplies to Europe this winter, with Russia threatening to stop selling the fuel to Ukraine on Jan. 1 if it does not repay more […]

Energy & Environment Russia

New Atlanticist

Dec 23, 2008

U.S. Will Fund Militias in Afghanistan

By Peter Cassata

Echoing similar measures used in Iraq, the U.S. will begin funding militias in remote areas of Afghanistan to help fight the Taliban.

Afghanistan

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