Go to the Royal Swedish Academy of War Sciences to read the full report by the Atlantic Council’s Northern Europe Office in collaboration with the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs
The transatlantic environment is changing rapidly. The question is no longer whether Europe needs to take on greater responsibility in NATO, but how this can be done without weakening NATO’s deterrence and defense capabilities or its political cohesion. The transition is urgent. Europe has a limited time to step up while the US still has a substantial military presence in Europe and Russia is preoccupied with the war in Ukraine. Europe must prepare for a situation where American support may be delayed, more limited, and less predictable.
A stronger Europe in NATO therefore requires war-ready units, higher readiness, better mobilization capabilities, integrated multinational formations, stronger command structures and a clearer defense industrial base.
On April 21, 2026, the Atlantic Council’s Northern Europe Office and Sweden’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs jointly hosted a workshop at the Government Offices in Stockholm focusing on a stronger Europe in NATO and the way forward. The workshop was aimed at officials at the Government Offices, members of parliament, and Swedish experts, while the speakers were invited international experts. The aim was to analyze what a stronger Europe in NATO means in practice, how European allies can take greater responsibility without weakening the cohesion of the Alliance, and what role Sweden can play in a more Europe-oriented NATO. The discussion, held under the Chatham House rule, focused on three key areas:
- Strategic shift of responsibility in NATO
- European responsibility in practice
- Political cohesion, the role of the United States and Sweden’s contribution
The full report describes the main features of the discussions in these three areas.
The Europe Center promotes leadership, strategies, and analysis to ensure a strong, ambitious, and forward-looking transatlantic relationship.
Further reading
Tue, Jun 23, 2026
How European NATO allies are stepping up, by the numbers
Dispatches By Kristen Taylor, Matt Trunkey
Expect NATO leadership to focus on three main issues: defense spending, defense industrial production, and aid to Ukraine.
Thu, Jul 2, 2026
Europe should take the long bet on the US and the transatlantic security relationship
Dispatches By Ian Brzezinski, Philippe Dickinson
In Ankara, European leaders must seize the opportunity to reinforce the long-term foundations of the Alliance.
Tue, Jan 27, 2026
How the Nordic-Baltic states became Europe’s reliable security engine
Dispatches By Anna Wieslander
Eight Northern European states are acting together early and turning solidarity into capabilities and delivery.
Image: A NATO flag flies outside Helsingborg City Hall in Helsingborg, Sweden, on May 21, 2026, during the Meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs taking place on May 21-22. (Photo by Kristian Tuxen Ladegaard Berg/NurPhoto)