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The NATO Summit

NATO leaders gathered in Madrid for what Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has deemed a “historic and transformative summit” to address “the most serious security crisis we have faced.” Our experts break down everything you need to know, from the expansion of the Alliance to the plan for its strategic future.

Stefanini in Financial Times: Europe’s fight to stay united over war in Ukraine

Markup Jun 30, 2022

Our experts decipher NATO’s new Strategic Concept

What were the allies really saying amid all the jargon? And what did they leave out? Our experts carefully combed through the document and dropped their insights in the margins.

Read More
Stefanini in Financial Times: Europe’s fight to stay united over war in Ukraine

New Atlanticist Jul 1, 2022

Summit speed read: How the G7 and NATO pushed back on Putin

By Daniel Fried

The free world’s leading institutions did a lot this week—but the war still hangs in the balance. Here’s what was agreed to and what is yet to be accomplished.
Conflict Economic Sanctions
Stefanini in Financial Times: Europe’s fight to stay united over war in Ukraine

Inflection Points Jul 2, 2022

Special dispatch from Madrid: At NATO’s historic summit, good scores points on evil, but it’s not enough to stop Putin’s Ukraine war

By Frederick Kempe

Despite the successes of the NATO summit, Russia’s missile strike on a Ukrainian shopping mall put the brutality of Putin’s war into stark relief.
Conflict Eastern Europe
Stefanini in Financial Times: Europe’s fight to stay united over war in Ukraine

Fast Thinking Jun 30, 2022

The triumphs and question marks from this week’s NATO summit

By Atlantic Council

How will history judge this consequential gathering? From Madrid to Washington, our experts are here with answers.
European Union National Security
Stefanini in Financial Times: Europe’s fight to stay united over war in Ukraine

Fast Thinking Jun 28, 2022

What Turkey won with its NATO leverage

By Atlantic Council

Ankara got exactly what it wanted in exchange for paving the way for Sweden and Finland to join the Alliance.
European Union National Security
Stefanini in Financial Times: Europe’s fight to stay united over war in Ukraine

Transcript Jun 29, 2022

How NATO allies can keep Ukraine a top priority for the public

By Atlantic Council

In the face of inflation, how should government leaders keep public enthusiasm and support for NATO climbing?
Europe & Eurasia NATO
Stefanini in Financial Times: Europe’s fight to stay united over war in Ukraine

Transcript Jun 29, 2022

Foreign ministers from France, Italy, and Sweden dissect NATO’s new Strategic Concept

By Atlantic Council

The Alliance has a couple of new members in its lineup. How should member countries work together to tighten the transatlantic bond?
Europe & Eurasia NATO
Stefanini in Financial Times: Europe’s fight to stay united over war in Ukraine

New Atlanticist Jun 29, 2022

Blinken: NATO is ‘more united, more focused’ after historic summit

By Nick Fouriezos

The Atlantic Council teamed up with civil society organizations at the NATO Public Forum, convening top US and global leaders for their take on NATO’s priorities in a changing security environment.

Europe & Eurasia NATO

Watch the NATO Public Forum

Flagship Event Tue, June 28, 2022 • 9:00 am EDT

The NATO Public Forum

On the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Madrid, the Alliance’s leaders as well as international security experts will gather for the NATO Public Forum.
Climate Change & Climate Action Crisis Management Defense Policy Defense Technologies

Issue spotlight

This section is part of the Transatlantic Security Initiative’s Stronger with Allies series, which charts the course forward for the Alliance in conjunction with the 2022 NATO Summit.

The NATO summit agenda

Stronger with allies

As the NATO Alliance prepares for its summit in Madrid at the end of June, our experts analyze the key issues on the table, including NATO’s next grand strategy, the Strategic Concept; how to further address the war in Ukraine; potential membership for Finland and Sweden; and what the future of transatlantic security will look like.

Stefanini in Financial Times: Europe’s fight to stay united over war in Ukraine

Issue Brief Jun 13, 2022

NATO priorities: Initial lessons from the Russia-Ukraine war

At the June 2022 NATO summit it will be important to implement four key operational priorities, each derived from initial lessons underscored by the Russia-Ukraine war, to maintain the Alliance’s long-term capacity for defense and deterrence.

Read More
Stefanini in Financial Times: Europe’s fight to stay united over war in Ukraine

New Atlanticist Jun 16, 2022

How NATO can stick together and keep the pressure on Russia, according to four former Alliance chiefs

By Katherine Walla

Four former NATO chiefs gathered at the Atlantic Council to weigh in on the Alliance’s response to the war in Ukraine, enlargement, and the next plays in its playbook.
Europe & Eurasia NATO
Stefanini in Financial Times: Europe’s fight to stay united over war in Ukraine

Report Apr 21, 2022

Climbing the ladder: How the West can manage escalation in Ukraine and beyond

By Richard D. Hooker, Jr.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and NATO’s response increase the possibility of purposeful or inadvertent escalation in Europe. Understanding how these dynamics might impact the war and further degrade transatlantic stability is critical.
Cybersecurity Defense Policy

Issue Brief

Mar 9, 2022

Defending every inch of NATO territory: Force posture options for strengthening deterrence in Europe

By The Scowcroft Center Task Force on Deterrence and Force Posture

Deterrence in Europe can be enhanced through a range of US and NATO force posture enhancements.

Conflict Defense Policy

Visualizing NATO’s priorities

In the aftermath of the Russian war in Ukraine, the US and NATO Eastern Flank force postures have been enhanced.

The United States and NATO allies have taken numerous steps to bolster allied force posture in Eastern Europe, enhancing deterrence against further Russian aggression and demonstrating the Alliance’s ability to defend its eastern flank.

Visualizing the NATO Strategic Concept: Five ways to look at the Alliance’s future

We asked our experts: With so much happening in the global arena, what critical but underappreciated topics will be featured in the Strategic Concept—and how should NATO think about addressing them?

NATO Expansion

Stefanini in Financial Times: Europe’s fight to stay united over war in Ukraine

New Atlanticist May 20, 2022

For Finland, the Cold War never ended. That’s why it’s ready for NATO.

By Paul R.S. Gebhard

For decades, Finland has persevered on its own—and now NATO has the opportunity to benefit from that.
Defense Policy NATO
Stefanini in Financial Times: Europe’s fight to stay united over war in Ukraine

New Atlanticist May 18, 2022

Sweden would strengthen NATO with fresh thinking and an able force

By John R. Deni

Sweden’s unique characteristics could make it a serious security provider—not merely a security consumer—in the heart of Northern Europe. 
Crisis Management Defense Policy
Stefanini in Financial Times: Europe’s fight to stay united over war in Ukraine

Issue Brief Mar 4, 2022

Europe’s security architecture, transformed: Why Finland is now on a path to join NATO

By Rasmus Hindrén

Finland is now on a prudent approach to NATO membership that is likely to build on its post-Cold War approach of continuity yet also to adapt to a new European security environment.
Europe & Eurasia NATO

New Atlanticist

May 17, 2022

How the US Senate could slow down Sweden and Finland’s NATO future

By David Auerswald

Now isn’t the time to debate for the sake of debating: The United States and Europe will be safer with Finland and Sweden in the Alliance.

Defense Policy European Union

New Atlanticist

May 13, 2022

Why Finland and Sweden can join NATO with unprecedented speed

By Christopher Skaluba, Anna Wieslander

Both have put in the prescient and painstaking work to make a potential transition from partner to member so straightforward.

Defense Policy European Union

Fast Thinking

May 12, 2022

FAST THINKING: Why Finland and Sweden are feeling secure about NATO membership

By Atlantic Council

How did the two countries arrive so quickly at this juncture? And what opportunities and dangers lie ahead? Our experts in Helsinki, Brussels, and Washington have the answers.

Conflict Europe & Eurasia

New Atlanticist

Apr 15, 2022

Going Nordic: What NATO membership would mean for Finland and Sweden

By Atlantic Council

As both countries inch toward formally joining the Alliance, we answer six burning questions about what the future holds.

Conflict Europe & Eurasia

Featured events

Online Event Wed, June 15, 2022 • 10:00 am EDT

Allied resolve: NATO perspectives on the Russian invasion of Ukraine

AN #ACFRONTPAGE EVENT – Four former Secretaries General of NATO offer their perspectives on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and NATO’s priorities ahead of the NATO Summit in Madrid. This event takes place from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on June 15th.
Defense Policy Europe & Eurasia NATO NATO Partnerships
Public Event Mon, May 2, 2022 • 9:00 am EDT

Priorities for the NATO Summit and security in Europe

As the Russian-initiated war in Ukraine continues and NATO leaders prepare for the upcoming Madrid Summit, the alliance should consider how to adapt to the new strategic reality and maintain a unified transatlantic response to Russian aggression.
Eastern Europe Europe & Eurasia NATO Northern Europe
Online Event Tue, March 29, 2022 • 8:30 am EDT

A conversation with the Baltic presidents

AN #ACFRONTPAGE EVENT – The Baltic presidents discuss the implications of the Russian-initiated war in Ukraine on European security and NATO’s adaptation.
Eastern Europe Europe & Eurasia NATO Northern Europe
Online Event Tue, March 29, 2022 • 12:30 pm EDT

A conversation with Minister of Defence of Germany Christine Lambrecht

AN #ACFRONTPAGE EVENT – Germany’s Minister of Defence Christine Lambrecht discusses Germany’s new defense priorities in the face of Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Conflict Defense Policy Europe & Eurasia Germany
Online Event Wed, March 23, 2022 • 10:30 am EDT

Previewing the NATO Summit with Ambassador Julianne Smith

AN #ACFRONTPAGE EVENT – US Permanent Representative to NATO, Ambassador Julianne Smith, previews this week’s NATO Summit and discusses how the United States and its allies are strengthening defense and deterrence in Europe.

Europe & Eurasia NATO Russia Security & Defense
Online Event Fri, January 28, 2022 • 8:30 am EST

Enhancing NATO’s collective defense: A conversation with former Supreme Allied Commanders Europe

NATO can take several steps to improve its collective defense posture in the face of Russian aggression.

Eastern Europe Europe & Eurasia NATO Russia
Online Event Fri, January 28, 2022 • 7:30 am EST

A conversation with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg

AN #ACFRONTPAGE EVENT – Secretary General Stoltenberg discusses NATO’s response to the renewed tensions in Europe.
Economic Sanctions Europe & Eurasia NATO Politics & Diplomacy

Visualizing burden-sharing data

NATO allies contribute to a variety of missions. Here’s a look at how each country chips in.

The NATO alliance conducts a variety of missions on land, sea, and air. Here is a breakdown of how each country has been contributing to a selection of these missions.

Despite COVID-19 pandemic, NATO defense spending continues to rise

Even in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, NATO allies have continued to increase their defense investments.

Learn more

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In-depth reports on NATO’s agenda

Report

Mar 30, 2022

All security is local: Arctic defense policies and domain awareness

By David Auerswald

This report maps Arctic allies’ and partners’ defense strategies and domain awareness capabilities to make recommendations for enhancing Arctic security.

Defense Policy Defense Technologies

In-Depth Research & Reports

May 12, 2021

Falling in: The deterrent value of Host Nation Support in the Baltic Sea region

By Kathleen McInnis and Connor McPartland

Host Nation Support plays a vital, yet often overlooked, role in enabling NATO’s overall deterrence strategy for the Baltic Sea region.

Defense Policy Europe & Eurasia

Issue briefs and reports

Mar 22, 2021

The China plan: A transatlantic blueprint for strategic competition

By Hans Binnendijk, Sarah Kirchberger, James Danoy, Franklin D. Kramer, Connor McPartland, Christopher Skaluba, Clementine G. Starling, Didi Kirsten Tatlow

China presents the United States and its partners with the most serious set of challenges they have faced since the Cold War. To manage this challenge, transatlantic nations need a blueprint to build a common approach.

China Europe & Eurasia
more in-depth reports on nato

Related reading

Stefanini in Financial Times: Europe’s fight to stay united over war in Ukraine

New Atlanticist Jun 10, 2021

The best defense: Why NATO should invest in resilience

By Jaclyn Levy

Policies emphasizing resilience should minimize damage, restore stability quickly, and generate improved strategies. To this end, there are several steps NATO can take to build a preventive, resilience-based approach to emerging global challenges.
Europe & Eurasia NATO
Stefanini in Financial Times: Europe’s fight to stay united over war in Ukraine

New Atlanticist Apr 8, 2022

How NATO can curb Russia’s chemical weapons threat

By Natasha Lander Finch

Moscow needs to know that the use of chemical weapons will not help its ill-fated invasion—and will not be tolerated. 
Conflict Non-Traditional Threats
Stefanini in Financial Times: Europe’s fight to stay united over war in Ukraine

New Atlanticist Mar 24, 2022

‘All options are on the table’ for eastern flank, says US Permanent Representative to NATO 

By Katherine Walla

At an Atlantic Council Front Page event, Julianne Smith laid out ways the United States and its allies can face up to Russia and strengthen European security.
Conflict Crisis Management
more commentary and analysis

NATO 20/2020

NATO 20/2020 Podcast

NATO 20/2020 is a weekly podcast that explores 20 bold ideas to push NATO to be more visionary, more capable, and more self-evidently valuable to the security of more people.

Modernize the kit and the message

by H.E. Dame Karen Pierce DCMG

NATO will only remain successful over the next seventy years if it modernizes its capabilities, takes command of emerging technology, and harmonizes its strategic messaging.

Read the essay

Open a bank

by Max Bergmann and Siena Cicarelli

NATO can fund critical defense investments by bringing the necessary financial tools in house.

Read the essay

Design a Digital Marshall Plan

by the Hon. Ruben Gallego and the Hon. Vicky Hartzler

NATO allies, led by the United States, must cooperate in securing national 5G communications systems in Europe and beyond against malign Chinese influence.

Read the essay

Rethink and replace two percent

by Derek Chollet, Steven Keil, and Christopher Skaluba

NATO’s two percent metric is reductive and politically fraught but offers lessons for better ways to measure burden sharing.

Read the essay

Build an Atlantic-Pacific Partnership

by James Hildebrand, Harry W.S. Lee, Fumika Mizuno, Miyeon Oh, and Monica Michiko Sato

NATO is the only institution capable of organizing transatlantic and transpacific stakeholders to address China’s political, military, and information threats.

Read the essay

Disband the NATO Response Force

by John R. Deni

Replacing the NRF with a plug-and-play interoperability model increases the chance that NATO will employ its high-readiness forces.

Read the essay

Build resilience for an era of shocks

by Jim Townsend and Anca Agachi

NATO needs a fourth core task to protect allied populations from nontraditional threats like COVID and climate change.

Read the essay

‘Game out’ decision making

by AM Sir Christopher Harper, KBE, RAF (Ret.)

In an era where the distinction between peace and conflict is increasingly complex, NATO should retain its competitive advantage by using synthetic environments and virtual worlds to support rapid, efficient, and effective strategic decision making.

Read the essay

Digitalize the enterprise

by Jeffrey Reynolds and Jeffrey Lightfoot

If NATO is to unlock new frontiers of innovation and harness emerging technology, digitalizing how it does business is the key.

Read the essay

Listen to women

by Lisa A. Aronsson

Twenty years after its creation, NATO should affirm the strategic significance of the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda and define what it means for an era of great power competition.

Read the essay

Ramp up on Russia

by Amb. Alexander Vershbow

NATO needs to increase the costs for Russian aggression while building back crucial dialogue if there is any prospect for improved relations with Moscow.

Read the essay

Put NATO back in the narrative

by Bridget Corna and Livia Godaert

NATO can recapture the imagination of allied publics by telling its own story better and in new ways to new audiences.

Read the essay

Seek membership for Mexico

by Christopher Skaluba and Gabriela R. A. Doyle

Mexico’s membership in NATO may be the key to keeping a rapidly changing America invested in European security.

Read the essay

Supersize cyber

by Safa Shahwan Edwards, William Loomis, and Simon Handler

NATO should adopt a digital .2 percent policy whereby member states commit to spend .2 percent of their gross domestic product on cybersecurity and digital defense modernization.

Read the essay

Christen a carrier strike group

by Michael John Williams

Using the HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales as its backbone, a NATO carrier strike group is an opportunity for high-end interoperability under European leadership.

Read the essay

End the Russian veto on Georgian accession

by Luke Coffey and Alexis Mrachek

Admitting Georgia to NATO without extending an Article 5 guarantee to Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region can fulfil the promise of the Bucharest Summit.

Read the essay

Threaten decisive nuclear retaliation

by David Gompert and Hans Binnendijk

NATO should thwart Russian use of nuclear weapons by threatening certain retaliation.

Read the essay

Revitalize NATO’s grand strategy

by Amb. Timo Koster and Ivanka Barzashka

Collective strategic analysis is the pathway to a more inclusive, transparent, and systematic process for creating NATO’s next strategic concept.

Read the essay

Set NATO’s sights on the High North

by Jim Danoy and Marisol Maddox

Security in the Arctic is waiting on no one. NATO needs a strategy for defense and deterrence in the High North before it is outflanked.

Read the essay

Reimagine the Washington Treaty

by Damon Wilson and Will O’Brien

Reexamining NATO’s founding charter can be an exercise in creating an Alliance fit for a new geopolitical era.

Read the essay

Related program

The Transatlantic Security Initiative, in the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, shapes and influences the debate on the greatest security challenges facing the North Atlantic Alliance and its key partners.

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Content

In the News

Aug 8, 2022

Stefanini in Financial Times: Europe’s fight to stay united over war in Ukraine

By Stefano Stefanini

Stefano Stefanini was quoted in a Financial Times article discussing the importance of Europe continuing to put forth a united front against Russia, particularly in light of Mario Draghi's resignation.

Defense Policy Europe & Eurasia

Event Recap

Aug 8, 2022

Why NATO must make gender central to its security thinking

By Alvina Ahmed

On July 15, the Scowcroft Center's Transatlantic Security Initiative hosted a public conference discussing the importance of incorporating gender perspectives in NATO's strategies as the alliance looks to implement its new Strategic Concept and defend against malign actors.

Conflict Defense Policy

New Atlanticist

Aug 8, 2022

When will Sweden and Finland join NATO? Tracking the ratification process across the Alliance.

By Atlantic Council experts

With this tracker, the Atlantic Council team is keeping tabs on the countries that have ratified the amended NATO treaty—and handicapping the political prospects for ratification in the rest.

Europe & Eurasia NATO

Issue Brief

Aug 8, 2022

Sweden and Finland are on their way to NATO membership. Here’s what needs to happen next.

By John R. Deni

In response to Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, Finland and Sweden took the historic step of applying to join NATO. Both nations will bring modern capabilities that will help defend against malign actors. As Finland and Sweden's membership is forthcoming, Alliance leaders, NATO watchers, and transatlantic security experts need to consider how to fully integrate the new allies, include them in operational plans, and best enhance defense of a longer border with Russia.

Europe & Eurasia National Security

UkraineAlert

Aug 4, 2022

Ukraine grain deal: World must still confront Putin’s Black Sea blackmail

By Oleksiy Goncharenko

The recent UN-brokered agreement to end Russia's Black Sea blockade and renew Ukrainian grain shipments is a step in the right direction but the only way to truly safeguard global food security is via military measures.

Conflict Drones

Fast Thinking

Aug 3, 2022

The Senate emphatically backs NATO expansion. What’s next?

By Atlantic Council

What political hurdles remain, and what will Sweden and Finland be up to in the meantime? Our experts break it all down.

NATO Northern Europe

New Atlanticist

Aug 1, 2022

An urgent message to our fellow senators: Support Finland and Sweden’s swift accession into NATO

By Jeanne Shaheen and Thom Tillis

Our Senate colleagues should stand resolute in support of the Alliance, our rules-based order, and liberal democracies worldwide.

Defense Policy European Union

New Atlanticist

Jul 28, 2022

Climbing the escalation ladder in Ukraine: A menu of options for the West

By Francis Shin, Damir Marusic, Tyson Wetzel

Our experts have assembled a list of possible policy responses the West ought to consider if Russia escalates its war against Ukraine.

Conflict Crisis Management

In the News

Jul 26, 2022

Reynolds in Defence Studies: NATO’s position and role in the Indo-Pacific

By Jeffrey Reynolds

Jeffrey Reynolds coauthored an article in Defence Studies discussing the implications NATO's role in the Indo-Pacific

China Conflict

In the News

Jul 26, 2022

Michel quoted in Helsingin Sanomat: Why is Finland and Sweden’s NATO membership progressing exceptionally fast in the US

TSI Nonresident Senior Fellow Leo Michel was quoted in the Finnish outlet Helsingin Sanomat discussing why Finland and Sweden's NATO membership is progressing exceptionally fast in the US.

NATO Northern Europe
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Experts

Staff

Nika Aleksejeva

Lead Researcher, Baltics

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Belarus Disinformation

Fellow

Paolo Alli

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Eastern Europe Italian

Millennium Leadership Fellow

Kirk Allen

Regional Marketing Lead, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems

Millennium Leadership Program

Middle East NATO Partnerships

Staff

Lukas Andriukaitis

Associate Director

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Disinformation Eastern Europe

Fellow

Lisa Aronsson

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Europe & Eurasia NATO

Fellow

Kyle Atwell

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Afghanistan Colombia
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