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

In the News

Apr 30, 2022

Wieslander quoted by Washington Post on the expected Finnish NATO application

By Anna Wieslander

With Finland expected to join NATO, the High-North and Baltic Sea region “will all be one military-strategic arena now, especially if you look from the Russian side,” said Anna Wieslander, director for Northern Europe at the Atlantic Council. “Putin miscalculated,” she said. “This is not what he foresaw.”

Europe & Eurasia
NATO
Chinese icebreaker Xuě Lóng (Snow Dragon)

Podcast

Apr 27, 2022

Episode 3: “The Geopolitical Arctic”

Dr. Camilla Tenna Nørup Sørensen, Associate Professor at the Royal Danish Defence College, discusses the changing geopolitical dynamics of the Arctic.

China
Northern Europe

Podcast

Apr 26, 2022

Episode 4: “Military Dilemmas in the Arctic”

Dr. David P. Auerswald, Professor of Security Studies at the U.S. National War College, takes a closer look at military activity in the Arctic and the associated risks of the region’s increased militarization.

Conflict
Maritime Security

In the News

Apr 25, 2022

Wieslander quoted by Financial Times on the politics of NATO in Sweden

By Anna Wieslander

“It is very much part of the Social Democrat identity — it gave us a special space of manoeuvre in international politics in terms of mediation, peace talks and arms control. That’s the main explanation of why we’re acting so slowly now,” says Anna Wieslander, director for northern Europe at the Atlantic Council.

Europe & Eurasia
NATO

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

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

In the News

Apr 14, 2022

Wieslander quoted in POLITICO on Swedish & Finnish NATO membership

By Anna Wieslander

“This is a period of vulnerability, and that has to be recognized and prepared for,” Anna Wieslander told Politico.

Europe & Eurasia
NATO

In the News

Apr 14, 2022

Wieslander interviewed by New York Times on Swedish & Finnish NATO membership

By Anna Wieslander

The New York Times writes, “However complicated NATO membership looks for Sweden politically, it would be dangerous to be left outside the alliance if Finland joins, since the two countries are each other’s closest defense partners and plan for war together, Ms. Wieslander, a Swede who is the Atlantic Council’s director for Northern Europe, said […]

Europe & Eurasia
NATO

In the News

Apr 13, 2022

Wieslander interviewed by Swedish National Radio’s “USA Podcast” on Russia and NATO

By Anna Wieslander

Director for Northern Europe Anna Wieslander spoke about President Joe Biden calling Russia’s war in Ukraine a genocide as well as the history of NATO and the impact of the United States’ security blanket for small European states.

Europe & Eurasia
NATO

In the News

Apr 11, 2022

Wieslander joins “Brussels Sprouts” to talk about Swedish & Finnish NATO membership

By Anna Wieslander

Europe & Eurasia
NATO

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