Central Europe

Dispatch from Estonia and Romania: How NATO burden sharing works on the ground

By Léonie Allard, Andrew Bernard, Rachel Rizzo, Lisa Homel

European-led missions on NATO’s eastern flank represent tangible and significant contributions to the Alliance’s security.

Five questions (and expert answers) about the shooting of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico

By Atlantic Council experts

Our experts explain the implications of the assassination attempt against Fico and what could come next.

Full transcript: The 2024 Distinguished Leadership Awards recognize skillful leaders navigating a world of crises

The Atlantic Council honored government, military, and artistic leaders who are bolstering security and advocating for the most vulnerable globally.

China and Europe confront a ‘moment of truth’

By Frederick Kempe

As Chinese leader Xi Jinping travels to France, Serbia, and Hungary, both China and Europe have some soul-searching to do, writes Frederick Kempe.

Slovakia’s presidential choice reinforces its anti-Western leanings

By Soňa Muzikárová

The victory of a Moscow-friendly populist in Slovakia’s presidential election is a worrisome shift away from Western, democratic norms.

Your primer on Slovakia’s presidential election

By Emma Nix, Patrik Martínek

As Slovakia prepares to select its next president in an election that could determine the country's Euro-Atlantic orientation for the next five years, the Europe Center breaks down the key dynamics at play.

Central and Eastern Europe needs to rethink its approach to energy security

By Pawel Czyzak and Nolan Theisen

The upcoming Three Seas Initiative Summit is an opportune time for Central and Eastern European leaders to pivot toward clean, affordable, and local renewables to build energy security.

Russian victory in Ukraine would leave Europe at Putin’s mercy

By Mykola Bielieskov

A Russian victory in Ukraine would reinvigorate Putin's war machine and leave much of Europe at the mercy of the Kremlin, writes Mykola Bielieskov.

NATO enlargement at twenty-five: How we got there and what it achieved

By Jerzy Koźmiński and Daniel Fried

Two and a half decades after Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic joined NATO, their membership continues to protect them from Russian aggression.