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.

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New Atlanticist

Nov 20, 2008

Russia to NATO: Let’s Invade Somalia

By Derek Reveron

The latest seizure of a Saudi oil tanker by Somali pirates presents an opportunity to improve relations between Russia and NATO. Russia’s ambassador to NATO, Dmitry Rogozin, has called for an international ground military operation to better combat rampant piracy in the region. “It’s up to the European Union, NATO and others to launch a […]

NATO Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Nov 19, 2008

Melting the Russian Glacier

By James Joyner

Polish foreign minister Radoslaw Sikorski, speaking at the Atlantic Council today, declared that Russia’s justification for invading Georgia, that it was defending its friends abroad, is one that has been used by Russian autocrats for centuries to justify a doctrine of imperialism.

NATO Poland

New Atlanticist

Nov 18, 2008

Is it Too Late for Afghanistan?

By James Joyner

During his address this evening to the Atlantic Council, ISAF commander General David McKiernan emphasized the many positive trends in Afghanistan, noting that he preferred a “Glass Half Full” view.

Afghanistan

New Atlanticist

Nov 18, 2008

Hunting Bin Laden

By James Joyner

Last week’s remarks by CIA director Michael Hayden at the Atlantic Council continue to draw widespread comment. My consternation at missing the lede notwithstanding, the focus continues to be on the fate of Osama bin Laden

New Atlanticist

Nov 18, 2008

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton!

By James Joyner

After several days of speculation, it is being reported that Hillary Clinton has been offered the post of Secretary of State and will accept it. While intrigued by Barack Obama’s “team of rivals” concept, my initial reaction was unease with Clinton’s credentials for the office.

New Atlanticist

Nov 18, 2008

Is Terrorist Funding Adapting to Post-9/11 Laws?

By Peter Cassata

Terrorist networks are adapting their financing methods to circumvent new anti-terror laws passed after 9/11, say Michael Jacobson and Matthew Levitt of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

New Atlanticist

Nov 18, 2008

The Iskander Effect

By David Smith

Russian President Dmitri Medvedev told the Federal Assembly on November 5 that he will deploy SS-26 Iskander short-range semi-ballistic missiles in the heart of Central Europe.

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Nov 17, 2008

Polls: Foreign Policy Priorities & Russia Relations

By James Joyner

One of the features of our newly revamped website is our Weekly Poll (which tends toward being actually biweekly) asking a current events question and highlighting the differences between U.S. and European respondents. While we make no pretense that these are scientific — the sample sizes are too small and the respondents are self-selected […]

Russia

New Atlanticist

Nov 17, 2008

Hayden Remarks Draw Bloggers’ Attention

By James Joyner

Last week’s Atlantic Council speech by CIA director Michael Hayden drew half a dozen television crews and was the subject of hundreds of media reports. At least 348 bloggers weighed in as well, according to Google.

New Atlanticist

Nov 17, 2008

The Case for Keeping the Russians In

By David Capezza

NATO allies should construct a new relationship with Russia, so that mutual challenges and threats faced by both sides can be addressed more effectively. By keeping Russia as an auxiliary partner in the international security environment, Western powers expend tireless effort competing with the Russians on issues ranging from North Korea and Iran, to missile […]

NATO Russia

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