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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Experts

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Anna Wieslander

Director, Northern Europe

Europe Center

Defense Policy Disinformation

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In the News

Jul 12, 2023

Wieslander interviewed in Aftonbladet

Sweden’s role in NATO’s new defense plan “‘Sweden is not part of the plans now. But when we become members, new demands will be placed on the Swedish Armed Forces. (…) Sweden should provide a brigade for NATO operations outside of Sweden, that is the stated expectation’, says Anna Wieslander, Director of Northern Europe.” “‘Another […]

NATO Northern Europe

In the News

Jul 12, 2023

Wieslander interviewed by BBC News from Vilnius
NATO Northern Europe

In the News

Jul 11, 2023

Wieslander interviewed on Radio Sweden

Podcast Gräns When Turkey makes demands and delays Sweden’s membership, there is a risk that NATO appears weak and that the principle of open doors is challenged. Sveriges Radio speaks to Anna Wieslander, Director for Northern Europe at the Atlantic Council. “The process has taken longer than I expected”, she says.

NATO Northern Europe

In the News

Jul 11, 2023

Wieslander quoted in Financial Times

Sweden poised to strengthen Nato’s northern defences Membership of alliance marks historic shift for non-aligned country, precipitated by Russia’s war against Ukraine. Swedish membership will help Nato bolster its defence of the entire Nordic and Baltic regions and reinforce its presence in the Arctic. Its forces, logistics, airspace and maritime areas can now be fully […]

NATO Northern Europe

In the News

Jul 11, 2023

Wieslander quoted in TIME

Why Sweden’s Path to NATO Membership Has Been So Rocky “Why is Sweden not already a NATO member?” “‘Sweden had to withdraw from Northern Europe’s power politics around 1809. We got a new French king, Bernadotte, and we withdrew because we were too weakened,’ Anna Wieslander, director for Northern Europe at the Atlantic Council, tells […]

NATO Northern Europe

In the News

Jul 11, 2023

Wieslander interviewed on Expressen TV

Anna Wieslander is at the NATO summit in Vilnius, where Turkey yesterday night said yes to Sweden joining Nato. Anna Wieslander, director for Northern Europe states: “Turkey’s EU demands were introduced in the last minute.” “It was about bringing everything to an end”, she says.

NATO Northern Europe

In the News

Jul 11, 2023

Wieslander on BBC World Service

Turkey’s president agrees to back Sweden’s request to join the western military defence alliance NATO – but what will it mean when Sweden becomes part of the alliance? Anna Wieslander spoke with BBC’s World Service about the Turkey-Swedish deal and a possible Ukraine membership. Anna Wieslander can be heard at minute 28:30.

NATO Northern Europe

In the News

Jul 10, 2023

Wieslander interviewed in Dagens Nyheter

“It is unclear what kind of agreement will be reached in Vilnius.” “‘I think it will be some kind of political declaration. You can put it on paper or you can just express it. The best thing now is to put the declaration in the form of a statement rather than conditioning things on paper’, […]

NATO Northern Europe

In the News

Jul 8, 2023

Wieslander quoted in Dagens Nyheter

“‘Another important reason for NATO to include Sweden is political’, as Anna Wieslander points out.” “‘Sweden is a solid old democracy, we have a strong economy and we are members of the EU. Politically, we are a reliable country because NATO is based on democratic values with respect for the rule of law and individual […]

NATO Northern Europe

In the News

Jul 7, 2023

Wieslander interviewed by BBC on Sweden’s NATO prospects
NATO Northern Europe
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