TRACKING NATO SPENDING

Trackers and Data Visualizations

Jun 20, 2025

NATO Defense Spending Tracker

By Kristen Taylor

The Transatlantic Security Initiative’s NATO defense spending tracker delves into data and figures to analyze current defense spending trends.

Europe & Eurasia NATO

FEATURED READING

FEATURED EVENTS

TUNE IN

Programs and initiatives

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 9, 2021

Biden’s Europe trip can help secure Afghanistan’s future. Here’s how.

By Earl Anthony Wayne, James B. Cunningham

The democracies meeting this week in Europe should signal continued concrete support for Afghans who do not share the Taliban’s worldview and who seek a peace without a Taliban-imposed regime.

Afghanistan
Conflict

Report

Jun 8, 2021

Transformative priorities for national defense

By Franklin D. Kramer and Lt. Col. Matthew R. Crouch

Today, the United States faces multi-theater and multi-domain challenges different from any presented since World War II—and, in fact, ever. This report addresses these pivotal challenges by advancing key transformative priorities for an effective US national defense strategy, both in the "American theater" at home and in the forward theaters abroad.

China
Defense Industry

New Atlanticist

Jun 7, 2021

Secretary General Stoltenberg explains why NATO is getting serious about cyber and China ‘is not an adversary’

By Daniel Malloy

Jens Stoltenberg appeared at the Atlantic Council’s Washington headquarters ahead of next week’s NATO summit in Brussels and on a US trip that is also scheduled to include an Oval Office visit with President Joe Biden.

China
Cybersecurity

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

Experts