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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In the News

May 31, 2023

Wieslander quoted in New York Times on Arctic tensions

Arctic Risks Loom Large as Blinken Tours NATO’s North: “There remains a concern that China, which now has even closer ties to Russia, remains active in the Far North, building big icebreakers. ‘China will reach Europe through the Arctic,’ Ms. Wieslander said.”

NATO Northern Europe

In the News

May 29, 2023

Wieslander quoted in Wall Street Journal on Turkey & Sweden’s NATO accession

“The Turkish leader’s demands have created a political knot that will be difficult to address unless he is willing to soften his stance, said Anna Wieslander, the Stockholm-based director for Northern Europe at the Atlantic Council. ‘It’s worrisome that he put something on the table which is not solvable,’ Wieslander said. ‘Turkey is creating a […]

NATO Northern Europe

In the News

May 23, 2023

Wieslander quoted in Dagens Nyheter

“‘You could say that there are two completely different fears about Russia. The French and continental fear is that Russia will come out of this too badly. French President Macron has said that Russia must be defeated but not crushed,’” says Anna Wieslander. “‘The second fear is the opposite. In the Baltics and Eastern Europe, […]

NATO Northern Europe

In the News

Apr 4, 2023

Wieslander quoted in Washington Post

“There is concern across the alliance that Turkey and Hungary have been willing to hand a symbolic victory to Russia — and that the rest of NATO has not been able to stop them. ‘The risk is that this brings a wedge into NATO,’ said Anna Wieslander, director for Northern Europe at the Atlantic Council. […]

NATO Northern Europe

In the News

Apr 4, 2023

Wieslander quoted in France24

“Anna Wieslander, director for Northern Europe at the think tank Atlantic Council, said the disagreement on Sweden could expose cracks within the alliance. ‘If NATO doesn’t deliver on Sweden becoming a member, then NATO will appear weakened,’ Wieslander said. Lingering divisions could ultimately affect how NATO supports Ukraine, she added. ‘That which has been the […]

NATO Northern Europe

In the News

Mar 10, 2023

Wieslander quoted in Deutsche Welle

“[Anna Wieslander] pointed to the fact that Sweden’s and Finland’s membership was crucial to NATO’s security in terms of defense and deterrence regarding the new Russian threat, and when it comes to the new long-term strategic competition with China. ‘This is really a time for everyone to speak up and say: Turkey cannot go on like this,’ Wieslander said.”

NATO Northern Europe

In the News

Mar 6, 2023

Wieslander on Sveriges Radio “Studio Ett”

Director for Northern Europe Anna Wieslander spoke to the Svergies Radio on the visiting Hungarian delegation to Stockholm, which met with parliamentarians to discuss NATO membership.

NATO Northern Europe

In the News

Mar 6, 2023

Wieslander on Svenska Dagbladet Podcast

Director for Northern Europe Anna Wieslander spoke to the Svenska Dagbladet’s podcast about Sweden and Finland potentially splitting their NATO bids.

NATO Northern Europe

In the News

Mar 3, 2023

Wieslander cited in New York Times on Ukraine’s European future

“Now there’s more sympathy and the feeling that Ukraine is a part of Europe, but that’s sentimental and not hard-core,” said Anna Wieslander of Sweden, director for Northern Europe for the Atlantic Council organization. “What’s the plan ahead? That’s what I’m missing,” she added. “There’s no discussion of what the membership criteria in a new […]

NATO Northern Europe

In the News

Feb 7, 2023

Wieslander on Royal Swedish Academy of War Sciences Podcast

Anna Wieslander spoke with the Royal Swedish Academy of War Sciences about the report “How allied Sweden and Finland can secure Northern Europe.”

NATO Northern Europe
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