LOOK BACK ON THE WASHINGTON SUMMIT

Atlantic Council at the NATO Summit in Washington

Live commentary, authoritative analysis, and high-level events covering NATO’s Washington summit, courtesy of our experts.

Essays on the Alliance’s future

NATO’s seventy-fifth anniversary is a milestone in a remarkable story of reinvention, adaptation, and unity. However, as the Alliance seeks to secure its future for the next seventy-five years, it faces revanchist old rivals, escalating strategic competition, and uncertainties over the future of the rules-based international order. 

With partners and allies turning attention from celebrations to challenges, the Atlantic Council’s Transatlantic Security Initiative invited contributors to engage with the most pressing concerns ahead of the historic Washington summit and chart a path for the Alliance’s future. This series features seven essays focused on concrete issues that NATO must address at the Washington summit and five essays that examine longer-term challenges the Alliance must confront to ensure transatlantic security. 

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.

Content

New Atlanticist

Jun 3, 2021

China is a present danger to Europe. NATO’s defense plans must respond.

By John R. Deni

In not emphasizing threats from China in the DDA, the Alliance comes up short. China isn’t some challenge of tomorrow or threat that has yet to fully form; even today, it is a clear and present threat to allied security in Europe and beyond.

China Europe & Eurasia

In the News

May 29, 2021

Kramer in The National Interest discussing NATO’s deterrent role in the Indo-Pacific

By Franklin D. Kramer

On May 29, Atlantic Council Board Director and Distinguished Fellow Franklin D. Kramer authored an article for The National Interest arguing that NATO needs to come to grips with the reality that there are now two major contested theaters—the Indo-Pacific region and Europe—and members need to increase their involvement in each.

Europe & Eurasia Indo-Pacific

In the News

May 24, 2021

Mulder speaks at Alabama World Affairs Council on space operations

By Atlantic Council

Forward Defense Senior US Air Force Fellow Lt Col Christopher P. Mulder participates in an event with the Alabama World Affairs Council.

Europe & Eurasia NATO

Op-Ed

May 19, 2021

A Green chancellor (yes, a Green chancellor) will keep Germany and Europe safe

By Roderick Kefferpütz

Though they are a movement formed by peaceniks, the German Greens realize that the challenge of our time, besides climate change, is the systemic conflict between democracy and authoritarianism, writes a Green strategist.

Europe & Eurasia Germany

In the News

May 19, 2021

Kirchberger quoted in Financial Times: European show of support for US in Indopacific will remain limited

By Sarah Kirchberger

Sarah Kirchberger was quoted in the Financial Times on how the increased European naval presence in the Indo-Pacific reflects growing concerns over Chinese military activities in the region.

China European Union

In-Depth Research & Reports

May 18, 2021

Predictable strategy and unpredictable operations: The implications of agility in Northern Europe

By Conor Rodihan, Matthew R. Crouch, and Ronald C. Fairbanks

As the US military becomes increasingly agile, its evolving strategy and activities pose implications for cooperation with allies, deterrence, and stability in Northern Europe.

Defense Policy Europe & Eurasia

In the News

May 17, 2021

Sakhi in the Heart of Asia Society: In search of peace for Afghanistan

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan International Security Assistance Force

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

In the News

May 12, 2021

Starling in Joint Air Power Competence Centre on NATO command and control

By Atlantic Council

Forward Defense Deputy Director and Transatlantic Security Initiative Resident Fellow Clementine G. Starling co-authored an article titled "NATO command and control (C2) resilience in contested environments."

Defense Technologies Europe & Eurasia

New Atlanticist

May 11, 2021

Afghanistan: What now to avoid disaster?

By James Cunningham, Hugo Llorens, Ronald E. Neumann, Richard Olson, and Earl Anthony Wayne

Avoiding complete defeat for US goals after the military withdrawal will require swift, coordinated action from Washington. Five former top US diplomats to Afghanistan reveal how to do it.

Afghanistan Conflict

Experts

Events