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.

All timely commentary & analysis

New Atlanticist

Feb 1, 2021

Speech moderation and militant democracy: Should the United States regulate like Europe does?

By Kenneth Propp

Many Americans’ sunny faith in a robust media “marketplace of idea”’ is being tested. The European historical experience that informs “militant democracy” and speech-invasive privacy laws remains largely alien here. But adjustments at the margins, particularly in the areas of process, are possible and desirable.

Digital Policy Europe & Eurasia

New Atlanticist

Jan 15, 2021

Germany may be about to pick its next leader. Here’s what you need to know.

By Jörn Fleck

The selection will likely mark the beginning of the end for the sober leadership style, centrist compromises, and coalition-building approach to governing country and party that so defined Merkel, Germany, and the CDU for much of her chancellorship.

Elections Germany

New Atlanticist

Jan 14, 2021

Britain’s foreign-policy debate is back

By Ben Judah

It can no longer be said that the only foreign-policy debate in the United Kingdom is about Brexit. There are now two distinct visions emerging of Britain’s role in the world: one positioned in the political center and the other on the right.

China European Union

New Atlanticist

Jan 7, 2021

What European strategic autonomy requires: smarter talk, more action

By Olivier-Rémy Bel

Focusing on action rather than sterile debates does not mean conversations on these matters have to end. There is still a major question to be answered: What are the aims of strategic autonomy? What would Europe do with it?

Defense Policy Defense Technologies

New Atlanticist

Dec 22, 2020

What Biden’s election means for Central Europe

By Petr Tůma

While Western Europe is looking forward to the next four years, the reaction is more mixed as one moves east. The reason is simple: The Trump administration—despite (and perhaps because of) its confrontational rhetoric towards Europe and the EU in general—intensified cooperation with Central and Eastern Europe.

Central Europe Defense Policy

New Atlanticist

Dec 16, 2020

Europe’s new legislative proposals mark a big ‘first move’ on tech-market power

By Eileen Kannengeiser and Jörn Fleck

On December 15, the European Commission unveiled its long-anticipated legislative proposals—the Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act—in a move that may further deepen transatlantic divides over digital commerce.

Digital Policy European Union

New Atlanticist

Dec 15, 2020

Lessons from a Privacy Shield post-mortem on Capitol Hill

By Kenneth Propp

A hearing on the consequences of the European Court of Justice's invalidation of the EU-US Privacy Shield illuminated the deepening transatlantic divide over data transfers, and it highlighted the early challenge the subject looks to pose for President-elect Joe Biden’s administration, which is eager to repair US-EU relations.

Digital Policy Europe & Eurasia

New Atlanticist

Dec 10, 2020

France: Lost in translation?

By Laetitia Garriott de Cayeux

French President Emmanuel Macron seems to be feuding with the press again—but not in France, this time, but with the American media. The dust-up concerns the separation of church and state and comes as Macron, leader of one of the United States’ closest allies, prepares to launch a major new initiative in France’s fight against religious extremism.

France Media

New Atlanticist

Nov 23, 2020

Building bridges across the Three Seas

By Piotr Trabinski, Daniel Palotai, Liviu Voinea, Tsvetan Manchev, and Nils Vaikla

The CESEE countries would be justified by gradually moving away from indiscriminate policy support to better targeted strategic policy resource allocation and growth-enhancing infrastructure projects.

Central Europe Eastern Europe

Article

Nov 23, 2020

How France, Germany, and the UK can build a European pillar of NATO

By Anna Wieslander

Expanding and developing the role of the E3 in defense, with a focus to create a stronger European pillar in NATO, could serve as a fruitful test ground to shape more decisive and agile security cooperation for the future.

Defense Industry Defense Policy