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

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Anna Wieslander

Director, Northern Europe

Europe Center

Defense Policy Disinformation

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In the News

Mar 15, 2022

Wieslander speaks with France 24 on shifting Swedish & Finnish public opinion towards NATO

By Anna Wieslander

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has succeeded in persuading many in Finland and Sweden that future NATO membership is in their national interest.

Europe & Eurasia NATO

In the News

Mar 14, 2022

Wieslander quoted in Washington Post on Swedish NATO debate

By Anna Wieslander

“In Sweden, defense was a low priority before the Ukraine war. Now, it’s the number one issue. The question is, can you take out the insurance when the house is on fire? That is something NATO is also going to have to decide.”

Europe & Eurasia NATO

In the News

Mar 4, 2022

Wieslander interviewed by Deutsche Welle on the politics of NATO in Sweden

By Anna Wieslander

“You have a pretty polarized situation among the parties. You would have the right-wing leaning parties who are pro-NATO, then Red-Green who are against joining; and then you have the right-wing extremist party, the Swedish Democrats, the third-biggest party who are also against,” said Wieslander.

Europe & Eurasia NATO

In the News

Mar 1, 2022

Wieslander interviewed by Finnish STT on Nordic NATO debate

By Anna Wieslander

“If you compare the debate between Finland and Sweden, Finland is more actively discussing NATO. The [security] situation is closely monitored and decisions are made on the basis of that. In Sweden, we look back and think that the current policy has been stable and has served us well. Finland has a more flexible attitude,” […]

Europe & Eurasia NATO

In the News

Feb 26, 2022

Wieslander interviewed by Times Radio on Putin’s goals in Ukraine

By Anna Wieslander

“This is a game he is playing on two levels. One is Ukraine and the attack and invasion we now see him pursuing. The other is the bigger game, which is a Europe that is rolled back to the Cold War and where Russia has clear spheres of influence and buffer zones, which include Eastern […]

Europe & Eurasia NATO

In the News

Feb 24, 2022

Wieslander speaks to Marshall Center on “Sweden and Finland: Responses to the Russian Threat”

By Anna Wieslander

On the occasion of the Alumni in-residence-scholarship of Anna Wieslander, Director Northern Europe at the Atlantic Council, the Marshall Center organized an online seminar to analyze Sweden’s and Finland’s responses to Russia’s threats and aggression. Russia’s military attack on Ukraine on the same day made the seminar particularly relevant and timely.

Europe & Eurasia NATO

In the News

Feb 18, 2022

Wieslander interviewed by “Expressen” on US intelligence of planned Russian invasion

By Anna Wieslander

Anna Wieslander, Northern Europe director at the Atlantic Council, said warnings of a Russian invasion are probably part of a deliberate US strategy. “They have used intelligence data strategically and they have chosen to be very open with what they have in order show Russia, ‘we see what you’re doing.’ But also to disrupt any […]

Europe & Eurasia NATO

In the News

Feb 17, 2022

Wieslander interviewed by Radio Sweden on the history of NATO-Russian Relations

By Anna Wieslander

Since the 1990’s, many have contemplated Russian NATO membership and an EU-led European security order. Russia’s admission into NATO’s Partnership for Peace in 1994 established many areas of Russian-NATO cooperation around the world. However, Putin’s rise to power and increased opposition to the US-led world order caused early optimism to deteriorate into full-blown confrontation.

Europe & Eurasia NATO

In the News

Feb 16, 2022

Wieslander interviewed by Radio Sweden on Russian troop movements

By Anna Wieslander

“This is a long-term game about the future of our security order. This is about the type of world we want to live in,” said Wieslander.

Europe & Eurasia NATO
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