Central Europe

Three decades since the end of the Cold War, twenty years since NATO’s first enlargement beyond the Iron Curtain, and fifteen years since European Union and NATO accession, the states of Central Europe remain full and active members of both organizations, and they are key players in the transatlantic community. Foreign influence from Russia and China, concerns over regional adherence to the rule of law, and economic insecurity require continued and renewed US engagement.

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FEATURED COMMENTARY & ANALYSIS

What does the US drawdown in Romania mean for European defense? 

Report Nov 10, 2025

Czechia’s policy on China: Swinging between engagement and de-risking

By Zoltán Fehér

Although Czechia emerged as one of the EU’s early hawks and whistleblowers on China, its overall stance has shifted markedly over the past two decades—oscillating between engagement and balancing, with the fluctuations largely driven by domestic political divisions and sustained Chinese influence efforts.
Central Europe China
What does the US drawdown in Romania mean for European defense? 

New Atlanticist Nov 4, 2025

Trump has an opportunity to unblock Ukraine’s EU accession in his meeting with Orbán

By James Batchik

Getting Hungary to drop its opposition to Ukraine’s European Union accession would be a strategic coup for Ukraine, Europe, and Washington.
Conflict Eurozone
What does the US drawdown in Romania mean for European defense? 

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

Program

The Europe Center promotes the transatlantic leadership and strategies required to ensure a strong Europe.

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Content

New Atlanticist

Oct 30, 2025

What does the US drawdown in Romania mean for European defense? 

By Atlantic Council experts

The drawdown marks the first officially announced step of the Trump administration’s planned pullback of its European force presence.

Central Europe Defense Policy

EnergySource

Oct 9, 2025

EU enlargement could redefine its energy geopolitics

By Andrei Covatariu

The EU's next enlargement wave could lead to greater European competitiveness and influence—or risk deepening divisions within the bloc. Tying energy security to enlargement offers Brussels a way back into the geopolitical game.

Central Europe Eastern Europe

Eye on Europe's elections

Oct 1, 2025

Your primer on the Czech Chamber of Deputies elections

By Atlantic Council experts

Experts from the Atlantic Council’s Europe Center answer the most pressing questions about the Czech parliamentary elections and what the results could mean for the country’s foreign policy.

Central Europe Elections

UkraineAlert

Sep 23, 2025

Putin is escalating Russia’s hybrid war against Europe. Is Europe ready?

By Maksym Beznosiuk

Putin has clearly been encouraged by Trump’s efforts to downgrade America’s involvement in transatlantic security and feels emboldened to escalate his own hybrid war against Europe, writes Maksym Beznosiuk.

Belarus Conflict

Issue Brief

Sep 22, 2025

A three-pillar strategy for institutional reform in Central and Eastern Europe

By Stephen Nix and Megan Tamisiea

This paper is the first in the Freedom and Prosperity Center's "Future of Democracy Assistance" series, which analyzes the many complex challenges to democracy around the world and highlights actionable policies that promote democratic governance.

Central Europe Democratic Transitions

UkraineAlert

Sep 18, 2025

Putin’s Polish probe demands decisive response to restore NATO deterrence

By Zahar Hryniv

Putin’s recent drone escalation in the skies over Poland is an unmistakable signal that NATO’s credibility is under threat. Western leaders must now respond decisively to deter further Russian aggression, writes Zahar Hryniv.

Conflict Drones

UkraineAlert

Sep 16, 2025

Ukraine’s skies are Europe’s first line of defense against Russian drones

By Alina Zubkovych

As NATO leaders respond to Russia's recent drone incursion into Poland, they should recognize that Ukraine's skies are now European first line of defense against Putin's growing drone fleet, writes Alina Zubkovych.

Conflict Defense Technologies

UkraineAlert

Sep 11, 2025

Belarus hosts Russian war games as Putin’s drones probe Poland

By Hanna Liubakova

On September 12, Belarus and Russia will begin their largest joint military exercises since the start of Putin's Ukraine invasion, just two days after at least nineteen Russian drones penetrated neighboring Polish airspace, writes Hanna Liubakova.

Belarus Conflict

New Atlanticist

Sep 10, 2025

Experts react: Poland just shot down Russian drones over its territory. Is Putin ramping up his war on Europe?

By Atlantic Council experts

The Russian drones may have strayed from their original flight paths, or the Kremlin could be launching an aggressive new gambit against NATO.

NATO Poland

New Atlanticist

Sep 3, 2025

Dispatch from Kyiv and Warsaw: Security is the first answer to Russia’s aggression

By Shelby Magid, Mercedes Sapuppo

A visit to the capitals of Ukraine and Poland puts recent diplomacy in Moscow, Anchorage, and Washington to end Russia’s war in Ukraine in perspective.

Conflict Poland
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Experts

Millennium fellow

George Bachiashvili

CEO, Mission Gate

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Europe Digital Policy

Staff

James Batchik

Associate Director

Europe Center

Central Europe Digital Policy

European Leadership Accelerator Participant

Inês Bravo Figueiredo

Co-President, Volt Portugal

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Europe Economy & Business

Fellow

Ian Brzezinski

Senior Fellow

Europe Center Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Central Europe Defense Policy

European Leadership Accelerator Participant

Pauline Deschryver

Senior Manager, DTEK Group

Millennium Leadership Program

Africa Central Europe

European Leadership Accelerator Participant

Daniel Di Giusto

Co-founder & Social Impact Strategist, Tech To The Rescue Foundation

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Europe Civil Society
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