Europe Center Commentary & Analysis

The Europe Center uses real-time commentary and analysis to explain to key audiences in America current developments in Europe and how they affect the transatlantic relationship.

Europe Center Commentary & Analysis

Dispatches Mar 18, 2026

Europe should help in the Gulf to serve its own interests, regardless of Trump’s demands

By Daniel Fried, Jörn Fleck

European leaders have plenty of reasons to engage constructively with the United States and partners in the Middle East.
Conflict Europe & Eurasia
Europe Center Commentary & Analysis

Dispatches Feb 2, 2026

To increase its autonomy, Europe must look to its strengths

By Piotr Arak

The challenge for Europe in the coming decade is not to imitate the United States and China, but to mobilize its own considerable strengths.
Economy & Business European Union
Europe Center Commentary & Analysis

Dispatches Jan 22, 2026

Trump may move on from Greenland. Europe won’t.

By Jörn Fleck, James Batchik

Trump’s willingness to engage in brinkmanship with Europe over Greenland will have a lasting impact on how the continent’s leaders approach relations with Washington.
Conflict Europe & Eurasia

All timely commentary & analysis

New Atlanticist

Sep 12, 2024

As Starmer visits the White House, the US-UK ‘special relationship’ must look forward

By Peter Westmacott

The UK prime minister’s meeting with the US president this week comes after a recent flurry of diplomatic activity between their countries, but more will be needed ahead.

Economy & Business Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Sep 10, 2024

Five questions (and expert answers) about Draghi’s new report on European competitiveness

By Atlantic Council experts

On Monday, Mario Draghi issued a clarion call about the dangers of lagging growth and productivity in the European Union. Atlantic Council experts dig into the four-hundred-page report.

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

New Atlanticist

Aug 30, 2024

Europe’s new defense commissioner: Game-changer or procurement manager?

By Piotr Arak

It remains to be seen how much power the new commissioner will have to boost the bloc’s defense capabilities.

Defense Industry Defense Policy

New Atlanticist

Aug 30, 2024

What Germany’s upcoming state elections reveal about the far right, Scholz’s future, and more

By Atlantic Council experts

The German states of Thuringia and Saxony are holding elections on September 1, and polls show that the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) could finish first.

Elections Germany

New Atlanticist

Aug 14, 2024

The Olympic truce in French politics is ending. What happens next?

By Joely Virzi

Macron is basking in the success of a spectacular Olympics, but that success is unlikely to translate into political gains for the president or lead to compromises in the French Parliament.

European Union France

New Atlanticist

Aug 1, 2024

Can citizens’ assemblies help counter a rising populist tide in the West?

By Moritz Ludwig and Joely Virzi

Germany’s initial steps at participatory democracy deserve a close look as one way to address rising populism that could threaten liberal democracies in the West.

Civil Society Elections

New Atlanticist

Jul 29, 2024

The EU needs to adapt its fiscal framework to the threat of war

By Piotr Arak

Without revisions, the bloc’s fiscal rules risk preventing member states from making necessary increases in defense spending.

Defense Industry Defense Policy

New Atlanticist

Jul 18, 2024

What to expect from Ursula von der Leyen’s second term

By James Batchik

The European Parliament has given European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen a second term, but it will be different from her first in several important ways.

Economy & Business Elections

New Atlanticist

Jul 12, 2024

Czech president: Don’t expect a ‘significant breakthrough’ in the war in Ukraine for the ‘foreseeable future’

By Katherine Golden

The support required to allow Ukrainians to fully reclaim their territory is “not realistic at this time,” Petr Pavel argued at an Atlantic Council Front Page event.

Central Europe China

New Atlanticist

Jul 9, 2024

Dispatch from Madrid: For Spain’s contributions to NATO, look beyond its defense spending

By Andrew Bernard

While Spain still falls short of its defense spending goals, Madrid nevertheless leads NATO missions, supports Ukraine, and helps guard Europe’s southern flank.

Defense Industry Defense Policy
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