The United States confronts a range of national security challenges, but the marketplace of ideas defines these too expansively, fails to prioritize them effectively, and limits the range of options for addressing them. The New American Engagement Initiative challenges prevailing assumptions governing US foreign policy, in particular with respect to the efficacy of military intervention and the lost potential of diplomacy, and helps policymakers manage risks, set priorities, and allocate resources wisely and efficiently, in order to preserve our security and prosperity. Unconventional thinking is needed to help Americans put dangers into perspective, and encourage them to embrace global engagement through diplomacy, trade, and mutually beneficial cultural exchange. The military is an essential tool of US foreign policy, but is inherently limited. The most effective and durable solutions to global problems must be developed in conjunction with allies and partners, and in ways that reduce the risk of conflict.
Featured content
Wed, Apr 21, 2021
Ashford in Inkstick: A promise to end America’s war in Afghanistan
On April 21, Emma Ashford published an op-ed in Inkstick, which highlighted the importance of the Biden administration choosing Sept. 11. 2021 as the withdrawal date from Afghanistan. She argues that the choice of Sept. 11 makes it far more certain that this time, the withdrawal is for real. “The American war in Afghanistan is […]
In the News by Atlantic Council
Wed, Apr 28, 2021
Preble quoted in Newsweek: How does Biden’s foreign policy stack up after his first 100 days?
On April 28, Preble was quoted in Newsweek on the first 100 days of President Biden’s foreign policy. “There have been pluses and minuses,” Preble said. “The Afghanistan decision was the correct one, and I’ve been encouraged by his approach to the civil war in Yemen and his apparent willingness to hold Saudi Arabia at […]
In the News by Atlantic Council
Mon, May 17, 2021
Future Foreign Policy series featuring Wendy Cutler
Online Event A discussion with Wendy Cutler, Vice President at the Asia Society Policy Institute, on the present and future of US trade policy.
12:00pm Economy & Business Trade
Mon, Apr 26, 2021
Reality Check #5: Learning to live with a nuclear North Korea
North Korea’s nuclear program is firmly established. Living with a de facto nuclear North Korea may be the least-bad option for now, requiring continued pressure and stronger deterrence measures.
Reality Check by Robert A. Manning
Thu, Feb 18, 2021
Reality Check Series
The New American Engagement Initiative’s Reality Checks are short briefs dedicated to exploring a particular policy or set of policies, assessing their efficacy, and, where appropriate, proposing alternatives. Reality Checks are published regularly and tied to the news of the day or derive from NAEI’s Assumptions Testing series. All are succinct and straight-to-the-point. The briefs are designed for busy professionals anxious for pragmatic and timely policy options.
Tue, Jan 12, 2021
Assumptions Testing Series
The New American Engagement Initiative’s Assumptions Testing series explores some of the foundational beliefs that guide US foreign policy. By questioning the conventional wisdom, and exposing these assumptions to close scrutiny, the series aims to open a new seam in the policy debate and generate a more lively, fruitful, and effective strategic dialogue – one that is capable of producing a sustainable, nonpartisan strategy for US global engagement.
Related past events
A conversation with US Senator Chris Murphy
Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) discusses the attack on the US Capitol and what needs to be done to foster bipartisanship and repair the global standing of the US.
Future Foreign Policy series featuring Rep. Ro Khanna
The discussion between Rep. Khanna and Vox’s Jen Kirby focused on US military involvement in the Middle East and the country’s role in conflicts around the world.
Employment opportunities
Mon, Apr 19, 2021
Senior Fellow, New American Engagement Initiative
Staff
The Atlantic Council seeks a dynamic, non-mainstream intellectual entrepreneur to staff and build the New American Engagement Initiative (NAEI), an exciting new effort to challenge conventional foreign policy thinking, question tired assumptions in particular regarding military engagement, and help US government policy-makers to manage risks in decision-making and resource allocation in a manner that fits the times and is at the same time thoughtful and provocative.
Experts
Mathew Burrows
Director, Foresight, Strategy, and Risks Initiative
Foresight, Strategy, and Risks Initiative New American Engagement Initiative
Content
Tue, May 4, 2021
Ashford and Burrows in World Politics Review: The rise of restraint is shaking up Washington
On May 4, Mathew Burrows and Emma Ashford were cited in an article in World Politics Review that discussed the growth of the “restraint” community in Washington foreign policy, following their paper on US Russia policy. The WPR article references an email from Fred Kempe to the author, which made the point that the Atlantic […]
In the News by Atlantic Council
Fri, Apr 30, 2021
Kroenig and Ashford discuss the global implications of Biden’s climate change agenda
On April 30, Foreign Policy published its biweekly column featuring Scowcroft Center deputy director Matthew Kroenig and New American Engagement Initiative senior fellow Emma Ashford discussing the latest news in international affairs. In this column, they discuss the Biden administration’s approach to tackling climate change, Biden’s acknowledgement of the Armenian Genocide, and the US response to India’s surge […]
In the News by Atlantic Council
Thu, Apr 29, 2021
Preble on the Net Assessment podcast: Mission accomplished in Afghanistan?
On April 29, Christopher Preble and co-hosts debated the wisdom of President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw US forces from Afghanistan on War on the Rock’s Net Assessment podcast. They discussed the counter-argument that the Biden administration should have kept a small force in Afghanistan for the foreseeable future, but questioned whether that would have […]
In the News by Atlantic Council
Wed, Apr 28, 2021
Preble quoted in Newsweek: How does Biden’s foreign policy stack up after his first 100 days?
On April 28, Preble was quoted in Newsweek on the first 100 days of President Biden’s foreign policy. “There have been pluses and minuses,” Preble said. “The Afghanistan decision was the correct one, and I’ve been encouraged by his approach to the civil war in Yemen and his apparent willingness to hold Saudi Arabia at […]
In the News by Atlantic Council
Mon, Apr 26, 2021
Reality Check #5: Learning to live with a nuclear North Korea
North Korea's nuclear program is firmly established. Living with a de facto nuclear North Korea may be the least-bad option for now, requiring continued pressure and stronger deterrence measures.
Reality Check by Robert A. Manning
Wed, Apr 21, 2021
Ashford in Inkstick: A promise to end America’s war in Afghanistan
On April 21, Emma Ashford published an op-ed in Inkstick, which highlighted the importance of the Biden administration choosing Sept. 11. 2021 as the withdrawal date from Afghanistan. She argues that the choice of Sept. 11 makes it far more certain that this time, the withdrawal is for real. “The American war in Afghanistan is […]
In the News by Atlantic Council
Fri, Apr 16, 2021
Reading between the lines of the US intelligence community’s latest reports
What does it say about our system of government that hard truths are not absorbed? This year’s Annual Threat Assessment and Global Trends 2040 are blunt about the challenges facing the United States. But the warnings about China should have been heeded a decade or more ago.
New Atlanticist by Mathew Burrows
Fri, Apr 16, 2021
Kroenig and Ashford debate US withdrawal from Afghanistan and Russia’s intentions behind a military buildup on the Ukrainian border
On April 16, Foreign Policy published a biweekly column featuring Scowcroft Center deputy director Matthew Kroenig and New American Engagement Initiative senior fellow Emma Ashford discussing the latest news in international affairs. In this column, they discuss Biden’s plan to withdraw all US forces from Afghanistan by September 11, the significance of Russia military buildup on the border […]
In the News by Atlantic Council
Thu, Apr 15, 2021
Preble on the Net Assessment podcast: Democracy and grand strategy
On April 15, Christopher Preble joined his co-hosts of War on the Rocks’s Net Assessment podcast to discuss Hal Brands and Charles Edel’s article “A Grand Strategy of Democratic Solidarity.” They discussed whether it is possible, and wise, to construct a grand strategy of democratic solidarity to counter China and Russia. They also explored whether […]
In the News by Atlantic Council
Thu, Apr 15, 2021
Manning quoted in The Straits Times: White House meeting with PM Suga sends signal of tight US-Japan alliance
On April 15, Robert Manning was quoted in an article in The Straits Times that discussed what the announcement of a Japan-US summit means for the future of the alliance between the two countries. “WASHINGTON – That Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga will on Friday (April 16) be the first foreign leader to visit the […]
In the News by Atlantic Council
Events
Mon, May 17, 2021
Future Foreign Policy series featuring Wendy Cutler
Online Event A discussion with Wendy Cutler, Vice President at the Asia Society Policy Institute, on the present and future of US trade policy.
12:00pm Economy & Business Trade