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.

Sarkozy Delays University Reforms, Feared Greek-Style Riots

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.

Markup

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 16, 2008

Sarkozy Delays University Reforms, Feared Greek-Style Riots

By James Joyner

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has postponed controversial Lycee reforms after a week of student demonstrations that many feared could escalate into violence. AFP: Weeks of student protests forced Sarkozy’s government to put a plan for high school education reform on ice amid fears that opposition from the streets could spread social unrest like that seen […]

New Atlanticist

Dec 16, 2008

Bridgeheads: Russian Occupation Aimed at East-West Corridor

By David Smith

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. Notwithstanding, the EU on December 2 resumed Partnership and Cooperation Agreement talks with Russia, which it had suspended September 1 in the wake of Russia’s August assault on Georgia.

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Dec 15, 2008

Third Time’s the Charm for Ukraine?

By Nikolas Gvosdev

So the Orange Coalition has pulled itself back together to form a governing majority in Ukraine once again. Somehow “incompetent” Viktor Yushchenko and “traitor” Yulia Tymoshenko (in the eyes of some of the respective partisans of both politicians) are back on the same page. Months wasted and then the economic crisis hit as Ukraine’s main […]

Ukraine

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

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