All timely commentary & analysis

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

New Atlanticist

Aug 27, 2025

The US-EU face-off over pharma is on pause—for now

By Emma Nix

Both Europe and the United States would benefit from working together to secure affordable and accessible pharmaceutical supply chains.

Economy & Business European Union

New Atlanticist

Aug 25, 2025

Trump should kickstart Kosovo-Serbia talks into making real progress

By Agon Maliqi

The Trump administration has an opening to reinvigorate dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, but it must avoid the mistakes of past mediation processes.

European Union Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

New Atlanticist

Aug 19, 2025

Europe needs to keep up the momentum for Ukraine after its White House show of force

By Jörn Fleck, James Batchik

Among other steps, European leaders should press forward on defining what security guarantees for Ukraine look like.

European Union France

New Atlanticist

Aug 15, 2025

Talking past each other: Why the US-EU dispute over ‘free speech’ is set to escalate

By Kenneth Propp

Republican-led US lawmakers and the White House are likely just getting started in critiquing the European Union’s Digital Services Act.

European Union Internet

New Atlanticist

Aug 6, 2025

Dispatch from the Russian border: The Curonian Spit and the contest of the Baltic Sea

By Justina Budginaite-Froehly

A recent visit to Lithuania’s border with Kaliningrad reveals how the Baltic Sea has become one of Europe’s most contested maritime zones.

Eastern Europe NATO

New Atlanticist

Aug 5, 2025

Poland’s new president could become a major European ally for Trump

By Marek Magierowski

Conservative Karol Nawrocki, who takes over as Poland’s president on August 6, may help convince the US president of the danger posed by Russia.

Elections Poland

New Atlanticist

Jul 28, 2025

Trump and von der Leyen made a deal. But the US and EU are drifting apart on trade.

By Frances Burwell

Many elements of the Turnberry deal still need to be finalized, and the difficult process could drive the two sides even further apart.

Economy & Business European Union

New Atlanticist

Jul 21, 2025

What the EU and China want from the summit that neither seems to want

By Atlantic Council experts

European Commission leaders are headed to Beijing for a one-day summit to discuss a range of issues. But expectations for a breakthrough are low and falling.

China European Union

New Atlanticist

Jul 16, 2025

Reading between the lines of the new France-UK nuclear entente

By Léonie Allard

French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Kier Starmer released a “truly historic” declaration on nuclear planning on July 10.

France Nuclear Deterrence