All timely commentary & analysis

New Atlanticist

May 22, 2025

The case for a Three Seas Defense Innovation Hub

By Justina Budginaite-Froehly

Because of increasing threats to critical energy, transport, and digital infrastructure, the Three Seas Initiative should add defense innovation as another pillar of its mission.

Central Europe Eastern Europe

New Atlanticist

May 21, 2025

Europe is striking back at Russia’s shadow fleet. Here’s what to know about the latest EU and UK sanctions.

By Atlantic Council experts

This week, Brussels and London unveiled new sanctions against Russia and the fleet of oil tankers and other vessels covertly trading in Russian oil. Atlantic Council experts assess the moves.

Conflict Economic Sanctions

New Atlanticist

May 21, 2025

Golden Dome creates a new missile defense bargain with US partners

By Léonie Allard, Jean-Loup Samaan

As it works toward realizing its Golden Dome initiative, the Trump administration should hold a revived missile defense dialogue with its allies and partners in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

Europe & Eurasia Indo-Pacific

New Atlanticist

May 20, 2025

Portugal’s shift to the right is accelerating. What does that mean for its future?

By Andrew Bernard

The center-right Democratic Alliance won the May 18 election, while the far-right Chega party continued its rise. With the main center-left party losing seats, there is now an absolute majority on the right.

Elections European Union

New Atlanticist

May 19, 2025

Experts react: What message did Romanians send by electing Nicusor Dan?

By Atlantic Council experts

The mathematician and mayor of Bucharest came out ahead of his right-wing rival on May 18. Atlantic Council experts sum up the election results and the implications.

Eastern Europe Elections

New Atlanticist

May 15, 2025

Can the EU-UK summit lead to a new post-Brexit partnership?

By Ed Owen

With shared challenges at home and abroad, the United Kingdom and European Union have an opportunity to renew their trade and security ties.

Defense Industry Economy & Business

Experts react

May 12, 2025

Experts react: The US and China just agreed to dramatically reduce tariffs on each other, for now. What’s next? 

By Atlantic Council experts

Our experts explain what the ninety-day reduction in US-China tariffs means for Washington, Beijing, and the global trading system.

China Economy & Business

Eye on Europe’s elections

May 7, 2025

Your primer on Albania’s parliamentary election

By Ilva Tare, Agon Maliqi, and Valbona Zeneli

In the lead-up to Albania’s parliamentary election on May 11, experts from the Europe Center unpack the key players, issues, and dynamics shaping this weekend’s election.

Elections Europe & Eurasia

Eye on Europe’s elections

May 7, 2025

Your primer on the Romanian presidential election

By Daniel Fried and Alex Serban

Ahead of the second round on May 18, our experts are breaking down the race and its potential impacts on Romania’s foreign policy.

Elections Europe & Eurasia

New Atlanticist

May 6, 2025

Is Merz’s double-take chancellor vote a sign of things to come in Germany?

By Jörn Fleck and Jurek Wille

It took two rounds of voting in the Bundestag to elect Friedrich Merz chancellor, a sign of division unprecedented in modern German history.

Defense Policy Elections