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
More episodes

Experts

Expert

Anna Wieslander

Director, Northern Europe

Europe Center

Defense Policy Disinformation

All content

Public Event Tue, July 9, 2024 • 9:30 am ET

The Nordic-Baltic region: Cooperation in NATO’s northeast
Europe & Eurasia NATO Northern Europe Security & Defense

In the News

Mar 21, 2024

Wieslander quoted in the Wall Street Journal

On March 21, Anna Wieslander, director for Northern Europe, spoke to the Wall Street Journal about the pressing issue of Russian Threat Forces in Europe. In the wake of uncertain U.S. commitment to NATO, Europe finds itself at a critical juncture, torn between bolstering defense capabilities and protecting the budget of other programs. “It comes […]

NATO Northern Europe

In the News

Feb 26, 2024

Wieslander interviewed by New York Times

On Monday, February 26, Anna Wieslander, director for Northern Europe, was interviewed by New York Times to comment on the Hungarian Parliament’s approval of Sweden’s application to NATO. Regarding Sweden’s role in NATO, Ms. Wieslander says: “Sweden’s main tasks will be to help guard the Baltic Sea and the airspace over Kaliningrad; to ensure the […]

NATO Northern Europe

In the News

Feb 15, 2024

Wieslander interviewed in Times Radio

On Friday, February 15, Anna Wieslander, director for Northern Europe was interviewed by Times Radio. Following Navalnys death, Ms. Wieslander gave her impressions of Yulia Navalnaya’s speech at the Munich Security Conference and how it framed the discussions on Russia and its war on Ukraine. She also commented on the fragile post-war transatlantic consensus and the urgent […]

NATO Northern Europe

In the News

Feb 12, 2024

Wieslander interviewed by Svenska Dagbladet

On Sunday, February 11, Anna Wieslander, director for Northern Europe, was interviewed by Svenska Dagbladet on Russia’s military build-up in the Arctic and NATO. “For Russia, the Kola Peninsula is militarily linked to the Baltic Sea and their base in Kaliningrad. Now that Finland and Sweden will soon join NATO, they feel crowded in the […]

NATO Northern Europe

In the News

Jan 25, 2024

Wieslander interviewed on TV 4 Nyhetsmorgon

On Thursday, January 25, Anna Wieslander, director for Northern Europe, participated in TV4 Nyhetsmorgon following the Turkish parliament’s approval of Sweden’s membership to NATO. Has every country undergone a two-year entry process? Is it possible to change one’s mind once the ratification process has started? Anna Wieslander answers viewers’ questions about NATO. In response to […]

NATO Northern Europe

In the News

Jan 24, 2024

Wieslander interviewed on Radio Sweden

P1 Morgon On January 24, Anna Wieslander, Director for Northern Europe, was interviewed by Radio Sweden, “P1 Morgon” discussing the approval of Sweden’s NATO accession by the Turkish parliament. “Now the same thing must happen in Hungary. The Hungarian Parliament also needs to ratify Sweden’s NATO application”, she says.

NATO Northern Europe

In the News

Jan 23, 2024

Wieslander interviewed on Radio Sweden

Radio Sweden, Studio Ett On January 23, Anna Wieslander, Director for Northern Europe, was interviewed by Radio Sweden, “Studio Ett” following Turkey’s parliament’s approval of Sweden’s accession to NATO. In response to the question of what Sweden’s role will be in NATO, Anna Wieslander highlights three important points:

NATO Northern Europe

In the News

Dec 9, 2023

Wieslander interviewed on TV 4 Nyhetsmorgon

On Saturday, December 9, Anna Wieslander, director for Northern Europe, participated in TV4 Nyhetsmorgon to discuss the current situation, the new Swedish-American defense agreement, and Ukraine. Wieslander’s key messages were: – The international situation is very serious. – The agreement with the USA is beneficial for Sweden, given the importance of deterrence and the need […]

NATO Northern Europe
Public Event Tue, December 5, 2023 • 11:00 am ET

A conversation with the Minister of Defense of the Kingdom of Sweden Pål Jonson
Conflict Defense Policy Europe & Eurasia NATO
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