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

In the News

Jul 8, 2024

Benitez in Breaking Defense on Russia’s readiness to challenge NATO

By Jorge Benitez

On July 8, Transatlantic Security Initiative nonresident senior fellow Jorge Benitez was quoted in Breaking Defense discussing NATO’s preparedness to deter Russian aggression.

Europe & Eurasia NATO

New Atlanticist

Jul 8, 2024

Live expertise and behind-the-scenes insight as NATO leaders gather at the Washington summit

By Atlantic Council experts

As NATO leaders gathered, our experts were on the ground at the summit and NATO Public Forum giving their authoritative, up-to-the-minute analysis and insight.

Europe & Eurasia NATO

Memo to...

Jul 8, 2024

Memo to NATO leaders: Why and how NATO countries should engage in the Indo-Pacific

By Matthew Kroenig, Jeffrey Cimmino

NATO and its constituent members must bolster cooperation with Indo-Pacific partners and build around existing US efforts to secure the Indo-Pacific region.

Europe & Eurasia Indo-Pacific

Econographics

Jul 8, 2024

Who’s at 2 percent? Look how NATO allies have increased their defense spending since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

By Clara Falkenek

As NATO gathers for its summit in Washington, 23 of 32 allies now meet the 2 percent GDP defense spending target, highlighting a collective effort to strengthen the Alliance and support Ukraine.

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Jul 8, 2024

Townsend in NBC News on the NATO Summit deliverables

By James J. Townsend Jr.

On July 8, Transatlantic Security Initiative senior advisor Jim Townsend was quoted in NBC News on the NATO Summit currently taking place in Washington.

Europe & Eurasia NATO

In the News

Jul 8, 2024

Vershbow in National Defense on Russia’s threat to NATO

By Alexander Vershbow

On July 8, Transatlantic Security Initiative distinguished fellow Alexander Vershbow was quoted in National Defense discussing the threat that Russia poses to NATO.

Europe & Eurasia NATO

Inflection Points

Jul 8, 2024

The NATO Summit faces three simultaneous threats

By Frederick Kempe

Autocracies’ growing common cause, democracies’ continued weaknesses, and an insufficient recognition of the gravity of the historic moment confront the Alliance as it meets in Washington.

Central Asia China

New Atlanticist

Jul 7, 2024

The US and Europe would be safer with Ukraine in NATO. Our war games showed why.

By Matthew Kroenig and Kristjan Prikk

The Atlantic Council recently held a series of tabletop exercises to examine future Russia-Ukraine conflict scenarios and their implications for Western security. The results are clear.

Europe & Eurasia NATO

In the News

Jul 7, 2024

Deni in RFE/RL on NATO’s 75th anniversary

By John R. Deni

On July 7, Transatlantic Security Initiative nonresident senior fellow John Deni was featured in RFE/RL discussing NATO’s 75th anniversary and the role the alliance plays in global security.   

Europe & Eurasia NATO

In the News

Jul 7, 2024

Deni in AP News on the impact a second Trump presidency might have on NATO

By John R. Deni

On July 7, Transatlantic Security Initiative nonresident senior fellow John Deni was featured in AP News discussing the impact a second Trump presidency might have on NATO.   

Europe & Eurasia NATO

Experts