All in-depth research & reports

Issue Brief

Mar 14, 2025

The Three Seas Initiative stands at an inflection point

By Emma Nix, Ian Brzezinski

The Three Seas Initiative is preparing for a critical summit in Warsaw in 2025. What opportunities exist to ensure the Initiative can accomplish its goal of ensuring a Europe whole, free, secure, and at peace?

Central Europe Economy & Business
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen give a statement before a meeting with EU Commissioners in Brussels, Belgium, January 11, 2023.REUTERS/Johanna Geron

Issue Brief

Mar 5, 2025

The EU must become a strategic player in defense—alongside NATO

By Justina Budginaite-Froehly

The European Union and NATO need renewed alignment on defense to meet the new geopolitical moment. Refocused cooperation would provide a critically needed burden sharing to eliminate vulnerabilities and prepare Europe to withstand new realities.

Defense Industry Europe & Eurasia

Report

Mar 3, 2025

The art of the transatlantic deal

By Frances Burwell

The transatlantic relationship is shifting with US president Donald Trump’s return to the White House. Nevertheless, discreet deals across the US-EU trade, energy, and defense sectors are possible.

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

Report

Jan 15, 2025

Securing a free and open world: A US-EU blueprint to counter China and Russia

By Kaush Arha, Peter Harrell, and Jörn Fleck

An enhanced strategic partnership between the United States and the European Union can advance interests for both sides amid immense geopolitical challenges.

China Defense Industry

Issue Brief

Dec 20, 2024

Europe needs a coalition of the resolute

By Léonie Allard and Elie Tenenbaum

Europe must develop a “coalition of the resolute” to provide security guarantees to Ukraine and to show resolve to take more responsibility for their own security.

Conflict Europe & Eurasia

Report

Nov 14, 2024

North Macedonia: A reform agenda on the path to EU integration

By Aleksej Demjanski, Biljana Ivanovska, Branimir Jovanović, Sara Milenkovska, Lura Pollozhani, and Malinka Ristevska Jordanova

Five experts from the region map out a reform agenda for North Macedonia’s newly elected government to pursue greater democratic progress and eventual European integration.

Elections Europe & Eurasia

Issue Brief

Nov 5, 2024

How Sweden and Finland’s membership in NATO affects the High North

By Anna Wieslander

This issue brief explores the impact of Sweden and Finland’s NATO membership on the High North. Having Sweden and Finland in NATO strengthens the influence of the Alliance in the High North, as it responds to Russia’s military buildup and China’s regional interests. Deterring aggression while maintaining Arctic stability amidst rising geopolitical tensions will require new defense priorities and enhanced Nordic collaboration.

NATO Northern Europe

Report

Oct 7, 2024

Transatlantic horizons: A collaborative US-EU policy agenda for 2025 and beyond

By Atlantic Council experts

With new leadership on both sides of the Atlantic, this report outlines an agenda for common action for the next US administration and European Commission.

Digital Policy Economy & Business

Report

Oct 7, 2024

Foreword: A new agenda for the next four years of US-EU relations

By Daniel Fried, Jörn Fleck

The transatlantic partnership, powered by the US-EU relationship, is a geopolitical necessity. From the other side of the world to each other’s backyards and into cyberspace, Washington and Brussels need each other.

European Union United States and Canada

Report

Oct 7, 2024

Navigating between data war and peace

By Kenneth Propp

A true settlement on transatlantic data flows should be the focus of the next administrations in the United States and the European Union, or the conflict could flare again.

Digital Policy Economy & Business