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.

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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. 

Experts

All content

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

Transcript

Dec 7, 2022

Minister of Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström: Sweden’s EU presidency will push for a ‘stronger’ Europe

By Atlantic Council

Here’s how Sweden plans to address the world’s growing instability as the new EU president—and, eventually, the newest NATO member.

NATO
Northern Europe

In the News

Nov 22, 2022

Wieslander in WSJ China on Polish missile incident

Anna Wieslander, the Atlantic Council’s director for Northern Europe, said in an interview to Wall Street Journal China that Poland’s hard-line stance on the Ukraine war could create a potential rift within NATO if the Polish government pushes for a strong and rapid NATO response to Russia. However, she said, the government has shown restraint […]

NATO
Northern Europe

In the News

Nov 16, 2022

Wieslander interviewed by Sveriges Radio on missile striking Poland

“Ukraine has a right to self defence,” Anna Wieslander said to Sveriges Radio. This incident would not have occurred “if Russia was not attacking Ukraine.”

Europe & Eurasia
NATO

In the News

Nov 11, 2022

Wieslander in Chatham House interview:”How will Sweden’s right turn affect its foreign policy priorities?”

Although the Sweden Democrats are not formally part of Sweden’s new government, the ruling minority coalition will depend on parliamentary support from the far-right party, giving them influence over government policy for the first time. This represents a clear shift to the right for a country with a long history of social democratic governments. How will this change […]

Elections
Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Nov 10, 2022

Wieslander speaks to Sveriges Radio “Russia Correspondents” podcast

“Tough rhetoric and warnings from Putin have not been matched” by the movement of tactical nuclear weapons, Anna Wieslander said, giving her analysis of Russian nuclear threats.

NATO
Northern Europe

In the News

Nov 2, 2022

Wieslander in Sveriges Radio Podcast “Gräns”

“Russia could take a portion of Swedish territory in the High North to expand its defensive bubble,” Wieslander said in a podcast about Sweden’s new security climate.

NATO
Northern Europe

In the News

Oct 17, 2022

Wieslander speaks to BBC on Russian nuclear threats

Europe & Eurasia
Northern Europe

In the News

Oct 14, 2022

Wieslander in Carneige Europe’s “Judy Asks: Is Europe taking resilience seriously?”

“Resilience, the ability for society to bounce back after a major shock, is increasingly important not only because of extreme weather effects on society but also because of the ability of adversaries to conduct hybrid warfare during peacetime, which puts societal resilience at the forefront of any efficient deterrence measure….Sweden and Finland are interesting in […]

Europe & Eurasia
NATO

In the News

Oct 5, 2022

Wieslander on “How the war in Ukraine has remade Europe” in the Washington Post

“NATO’s gravitational center has also moved north, too, toward Finland and Sweden, two traditionally neutral nations that were so shocked by Putin’s invasion that they applied to join the alliance. As Anna Wieslander, who heads the Stockholm Atlantic Council Office, said, the last time Sweden joined a European alliance was in Napoleon’s time, more than […]

Europe & Eurasia
NATO

The Europe Center promotes leadership, strategies, and analysis to ensure a strong, ambitious, and forward-looking transatlantic relationship.