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

Dec 10, 2025

Wieslander in New York Times

Director for Northern Europe, Anna Wieslander, featured in the New York Times on Wednesday December 10 on the challenges to Europe’s security. Wieslander underlines that Ukraine is Europe’s first line of defense against Russia but explains that “we don’t follow through on what that means and what it costs”. The frozen Russian assets are essential […]

Defense Policy
Northern Europe

In the News

Dec 10, 2025

Wieslander in Swedish Radio podcast

Director for Northern Europe, Anna Wieslander was interviewed in the Swedish Radio podcast “USApodden” (The USA podcast) on the European reactions to the new US NSS and its implications for European security and policy. While Europe remains important for the US Administration, it is perceived to have several challenges that Europe needs to deal with, […]

Defense Policy
NATO

Report

Nov 10, 2025

Lithuania’s policy on China: An unlikely EU trailblazer

By Valbona Zeneli

Lithuania’s defiance of Chinese pressure has made it a policy innovator in the EU, showing how a small state can strengthen collective resilience. Its firm stance on Taiwan and push for European unity have anchored the EU’s shift toward de-risking and closer transatlantic coordination.

China
Economy & Business

In the News

Nov 6, 2025

Wieslander on Deep Dish on Global Affairs Podcast

Anna Wieslander, Director for Northern Europe, featured on Thursday November 6 in the Deep Dish on Global Affairs Podcast by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs on the Arctic. Wieslander discussed how the Arctic from a European perspective has gone from a non-tension area with essentially no focus on security issues, to an area of increasing tensions […]

Northern Europe
Security & Defense

In the News

Oct 27, 2025

Wieslander interviewed in Al Jazeera

Director for Northern Europe, Anna Wieslander, was interviewed October 27 in an Al Jazeera article on Russian hybrid warfare against European countries. Wieslander warns that the goal of the hybrid warfare is to exhaust Europe towards being “more recipient towards the final goal that Russia has for Europe, which is a division again into spheres […]

National Security
Northern Europe

In the News

Oct 17, 2025

Wieslander in Al Jazeera

Director for Northern Europe, Anna Wieslander, was interviewed October 17 in an Al Jazeera article on Russia’s economy, sanctions against it and how it impacts the war in Ukraine. Wieslander argues that US leadership has changed when it comes to addressing Russia as a threat to European security and warns that Europe will pay a higher […]

Defense Policy
Northern Europe

In the News

Oct 7, 2025

Wieslander on Swedish TV

Anna Wieslander, Director for Northern Europe, featured in the Swedish TV program on Foreign Politics, “Utrikesbyrån”, on October 7. Wieslander commented on the Russian threat to NATO and the cohesion and responsiveness of the alliance. Wieslander called for tougher measures against Russia and reiterated that Ukraine has a right to sovereignty and self-determination. Click the […]

NATO
Northern Europe

In the News

Sep 22, 2025

Wieslander on Swedish radio

Director for Northern Europe Anna Wieslander has featured on Swedish radio on September 22 following the Russian fighter jets intrusion on Estonian airspace. Wieslander underlined that it was essential for NATO to react and discussed potential outcomes out of the meeting of the North Atlantic Council and stronger measures taken.

NATO
Northern Europe

In the News

Sep 17, 2025

Wieslander on Times Radio

Anna Wieslander, Director for Northern Europe, was interviewed by Times Radio on September 17 regarding President Trump’s state visit to the UK. Wieslander discussed the potential outcomes for the war in Ukraine. “There is a sense of urgency connected to Ukraine from a British perspective” says Wieslander and underlines the need for tougher measures on […]

Northern Europe
Security & Defense

In the News

Sep 12, 2025

Wieslander in Radio Sweden

Anna Wieslander, Director for Northern Europe, appeared on Radio Sweden on September 12 to comment on the Russian drone incursion over Poland. Wieslander was not surprised over the Russian act, but underlines that NATO’s response was “absolutely necessary” and that it sends the right signals to Russia. Wieslander features between minutes 9:30 to 13:30 and […]

NATO
Northern Europe
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