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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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

New Atlanticist

Dec 18, 2008

Fed Rate Cut Leaves American and European Investors Guessing

By Peter Cassata

“We are flying blind,” the FT‘s editors declared after the Fed cut its federal-funds rate to a range of 0 to 0.25 percent on Tuesday. Although Bernanke had indicated he was willing to employ unorthodox measures to lift the U.S. economy out of recession, few analysts expected such a dramatic cut.

Economy & Business European Union

New Atlanticist

Dec 17, 2008

Sarkozy Announces French Diversity Policy

By James Joyner

The president of France today announced a plan to get more ethnic minorities into more prominent positions. President Nicolas Sarkozy, impatient with what he said was the slow pace of promoting diversity in France, announced measures Wednesday to put more ethnic minorities on TV screens, in political parties and in elite schools.

France

New Atlanticist

Dec 17, 2008

Polls: Mumbai and Sarkozy

By James Joyner

Our most recent poll, asking “How will the Mumbai attacks affect India-Pakistan relations?” showed much more optimism among Europeans than Americans. In the United States, a whopping 71 percent see renewed conflict and a mere 21 percent see closer cooperation. In Europe, only 47 percent saw renewed conflict and 32 percent predict closer cooperation. Partly, […]

India

New Atlanticist

Dec 17, 2008

EU Approves Climate Bill

By James Joyner

The EU has approved a sweeping bill to fight climate change. The European Parliament approved on Wednesday a deal on cutting greenhouse gas emissions, the final step in a year of talks to secure the world’s broadest agreement yet to battle climate change.

Energy & Environment European Union

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