Northern Europe Office

The Northern Europe Office of the Atlantic Council opened in Stockholm in the fall of 2016 as part of the Future Europe Initiative. This office has expanded the Council’s presence and serves as an important and consistent extension of the Council into the region.

The Northern Europe office works in particular on forging a strong US-Northern Europe agenda in light of the reinvigorated transatlantic relationship that has resulted from Finland’s accession into NATO and Sweden’s bid for membership. The office, headed by Anna Wieslander, participates in the public debate, provides analysis and publications, and arranges workshops, seminars, and conferences that bring together policymakers and a diverse group of stakeholders in order to forge solutions that address challenges critical to the future of Europe and the transatlantic relationship.

Featured commentary and analysis

Northern Europe Office

New Atlanticist Apr 26, 2023

A glimpse of Sweden in NATO: Gotland could be a game-changer for Baltic defense

By Anna Wieslander and Eric Adamson

Sweden’s largest military exercise in twenty-five years highlights the strategically important island of Gotland in defending NATO allies.
Europe & Eurasia Maritime Security
Northern Europe Office

New Atlanticist Feb 7, 2023

What would happen if Sweden and Finland split up their NATO bids?

By Eric Adamson and Minna Ålander

Finland proceeding without Sweden should be a last resort because of all the strategic and logistical difficulties it would create.
Conflict Europe & Eurasia
Northern Europe Office

Issue Brief Jan 6, 2023

How allied Sweden and Finland can secure Northern Europe 

By Anna Wieslander, Eric Adamson, Jesper Lehto

NATO is approaching its ninth round of enlargement. The accession of Sweden and Finland—two solid democracies and defenders of the international-rules based order—into the Alliance will strengthen the core of the transatlantic community.
Defense Policy NATO

Featured media mentions

January 31, 2023

Wieslander in Financial Times on potential solo Finnish NATO accession

“The focus now is to calm down the situation,” said Anna Wieslander, director for northern Europe at the Atlantic Council think-tank. “Swedish policymakers are still quite confident that Turkey will ratify . . . in the end, but they also realise that the road will continue to be bumpy.”

January 14, 2023

Wieslander in Le Monde on Sweden-Turkey NATO negotiations

Anna Wieslander believes that Stockholm and Helsinki had no other choice, but that the ball is now in Turkey’s court: “Sweden has gone as far as it could, even if the negotiations continue, the pressure will have to come from the other member states.”
January 12, 2023

Stockholm report quoted in Helsinge Sanomat

The Atlantic Council report “How allied Sweden and Finland can Secure Northern Europe” was featured in Finland’s largest newspaper “Helsinge Sanomat.”

Voices from the North Podcast

In this four-part podcast series, Anna Wieslander, Director for Northern Europe in Stockholm, brings forth voices and perspectives of those studying and most affected by a changing Arctic. This podcast is part of a project made possible by the generous support of the U.S. Embassy in Stockholm. 

Northern Europe Office

Podcast Apr 22, 2022

Episode 1: “Living in the Arctic”

Anu Fredriksson, Executive Director for Arctic Frontiers, gives a local perspective on living in the Arctic. Anu is originally from Oulu in Northern Finland and has worked with Arctic issues for over a decade.
Climate Change & Climate Action Crisis Management
Northern Europe Office

Podcast Apr 22, 2022

Episode 2: “Russia and the Arctic”

Mathieu Boulègue, Senior Research Fellow for the Russia and Eurasia Programme at Chatham House, takes a closer look at Russia’s deep ties to the Arctic and its posturing in the region.
Climate Change & Climate Action Crisis Management
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Anna Wieslander

Director, Northern Europe

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In the News

Feb 23, 2026

Wieslander published in Royal Swedish Academy of War Sciences

On Monday, February 23, Anna Wieslander, Director for Northern Europe, was published in the Royal Swedish Academy of War Sciences. In the piece, Wieslander argues that the new U.S. National Security Strategy, released by the Trump administration in November 2025, has left Europe squeezed from both the east and the west. “To the east, Europe […]

Northern Europe Security & Defense

In the News

Feb 19, 2026

High North workshop report released

On December 10, 2025, the Northern Europe Office organized a workshop in collaboration with the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The workshop focused on the High North in a new strategic context, with the purpose of analyzing how the changing security situation in the Arctic and the North Atlantic affects stability, deterrence and cooperation in […]

Northern Europe Security & Defense

In the News

Feb 15, 2026

Wieslander on Swedish television

On Sunday, February 15, Director for Northern Europe, Anna Wieslander, appeared on a special news broadcast on Swedish National Television about the European security environment in light of the Munich Security Conference. Following her attendance at the conference, Wieslander was featured as one of the experts responding to questions submitted by the public. Commenting on […]

Northern Europe Security & Defense

In the News

Feb 13, 2026

Wieslander on Times Radio

While participating at the 2026 Munich Security Conference, Anna Wieslander, Director for Northern Europe, appeared on Times Radio to discuss the state of transatlantic security ties. Drawing on discussions at the conference, Wieslander notes a more constructive attitude of how to practically work forward, rather than a prevailing “Europe alone” sentiment. At the same time, […]

NATO Northern Europe

In the News

Feb 13, 2026

Wieslander published in Euractiv

On Friday, February 13, Anna Wieslander, Director for Northern Europe, had her co-authored op-ed, “The US wants a Europe-led NATO. Europeans should start planning it,” published in Euractiv. In the article, Wieslander and Rachel Ellehuus, Director-General of the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), argues that Europe must urgently take action to strengthen its defence capabilities, rather […]

NATO Northern Europe
Flagship Event Thu, February 5, 2026 • 10:00 am ET

Central Europe Week 2026: Facing a new strategic reality

A week of conversations highlighting Central Europe’s role in the transatlantic community.
Central Europe Eastern Europe Europe & Eurasia European Union

In the News

Jan 21, 2026

Wieslander on Swedish radio

On Wednesday, January 21, Director for Northern Europe, Anna Wieslander, was interviewed on Swedish national radio to comment on Donald Trump’s speech in Davos. Following a week marked by a “war of words,” during which the U.S. President issued a series of escalatory statements, the announcement to refrain from the use of force against Greenland […]

Northern Europe Security & Defense

In the News

Jan 18, 2026

Wieslander on Swedish national television

On Sunday, January 18, Anna Wieslander, Director for Northern Europe, participated in a panel on the Swedish news program Agenda to discuss the threat of U.S. tariffs and the escalating Greenland crisis. “With Trump’s inauguration, we entered a new era, and we are now experiencing its effects,” Wieslander argues, noting that the new administration’s foreign policy posture […]

Northern Europe Security & Defense

In the News

Jan 12, 2026

Wieslander on Swedish Radio podcast

On site at Rikskonferensen 2026, Sweden’s largest conference on defense and security, Anna Wieslander, Director for Northern Europe, featured on the podcast Europapodden (The Europe Podcast) to discuss the European response to Trump’s demands regarding Greenland. “This is a serious crisis that has emerged. A military move by Trump would be NATO’s darkest hour, causing article […]

Northern Europe Security & Defense

In the News

Jan 7, 2026

Wieslander on Swedish radio

Anna Wieslander, Director for Northern Europe, appeared twice on Swedish radio on Wednesday, January 7th, to comment on the Trump Administration’s threats to take over Greenland and the implications for the future of NATO. “The situation is very serious, and without a negotiated path forward, the future of defense cooperation within NATO is at risk”, […]

Northern Europe Security & Defense
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