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

Sep 17, 2020

British foreign secretary: Post-Brexit Britain will pursue ‘distinct identity in the world’

By David A. Wemer

Amid continuing uncertainty about the exact economic and political relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union, British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab explained that the United Kingdom wants to “be masters of our own destiny, not just domestically, but [also] in terms of the approach we forge internationally.”

Human Rights Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Sep 16, 2020

Experts react: Von der Leyen outlines vision for Europe’s post-COVID future

By Atlantic Council

Von der Leyen used her first State of the European Union Address to push European leaders to “make change happen by design—not by disaster or by diktat from others in the world.” Atlantic Council experts react to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s speech and its implications for future EU policy.

Climate Change & Climate Action Coronavirus

Feature

Sep 14, 2020

Europe after COVID

By Clément Beaune

A few weeks after the groundbreaking budget agreement adopted by the European Council on July 21, it would be tempting to say that COVID-19 changed everything in the European Union, in line with the oft-repeated principle: “It takes a crisis for Europe to act.” Like all clichés, there is some truth in this statement.

Coronavirus European Union

New Atlanticist

Sep 3, 2020

Can the US and Germany finally see eye to eye on China?

By Roderick Kefferpütz

After much too long a time, the political climate towards China and Russia is finally starting to change in Berlin. This is an opportunity for the United States and Germany to re-engage and turn Germany from a weak link in the transatlantic alliance to a reliable partner.

China Germany

New Atlanticist

Aug 14, 2020

Beyond 5G, Central Europe will be key to countering Chinese technological influence

By Frances Burwell, Jörn Fleck, and Eileen Kannengeiser

In seeking to further roll back China’s influence, the US has targeted Huawei during its CEE visit as the Shenzhen-based telecoms-equipment manufacturer competes for a prominent role in the region’s cellular network infrastructure and 5G expansion.

Central Europe Eastern Europe

New Atlanticist

Aug 13, 2020

Macron has the power to change the EU’s Hezbollah policy

By Jeremy Stern

Macron’s belief in France’s special responsibility to Lebanon is evident. If he wants to help the people suffering under Hezbollah there, Macron should follow the German example, and lead a ban of Hezbollah at home.

Conflict France

New Atlanticist

Jul 31, 2020

Polish PM calls for transatlantic unity on troop deployments and China

By David A. Wemer

Speaking at an Atlantic Council Front Page event, Morawiecki argued that “the NATO alliance is so important for the world to keep peace,” that allies must continue to work toward “consensus” in their actions.

Coronavirus European Union

New Atlanticist

Jul 29, 2020

Experts react: US announces plans for troop withdrawal from Germany

By David A. Wemer

“There may be a strategic case for the withdrawal of almost 12,000 US troops from Germany, but Secretary of Defense Esper’s announcement today does not make it," Daniel Fried says.

Defense Policy Germany

New Atlanticist

Jul 29, 2020

What hurts NATO the most is not the troop reductions. It’s the divisive approach to Europe.

By Olivier-Rémy Bel

At the end of the day, the strength of the Alliance lies less in the number of troops deployed than in the trust among allies. Rebuilding that trust should be the main task of those who care about transatlantic relations—and the first step might be restoring the predictability of American foreign policy.

Defense Policy Germany

New Atlanticist

Jul 29, 2020

Western Balkans leaders meet to drive coronavirus recovery and deepen regional economic cooperation

By David A. Wemer

Leaders from the Western Balkans Six—Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia—participated in the Western Balkans Partnership Summit on July 29 to take steps to deepen regional economic cooperation and stimulate growth amid the widespread economic downturn caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Inclusive Growth Macroeconomics