Central Europe

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

Experts react: Hungary just voted out Viktor Orbán. Here’s what to expect in Europe and beyond.

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
Experts react: Hungary just voted out Viktor Orbán. Here’s what to expect in Europe and beyond.

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
Experts react: Hungary just voted out Viktor Orbán. Here’s what to expect in Europe and beyond.

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

Dispatches

Apr 13, 2026

Experts react: Hungary just voted out Viktor Orbán. Here’s what to expect in Europe and beyond.

By Atlantic Council experts

With Peter Magyar set to take over as prime minister, our experts explore what the election means for Hungary, Europe, and the transatlantic alliance.

Elections Europe & Eurasia

Fast Thinking

Apr 12, 2026

Fast Thinking: Orbán’s out in Hungary. Now what? 

By The Atlantic Council

In elections on Sunday, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his Fidesz party lost to Péter Magyar and his Tisza party in a landslide.

Europe & Eurasia Hungary

UkraineAlert

Apr 7, 2026

Hungarian election could have implications for EU, US, Russia, and Ukraine

By Marc Goedemans

The Hungarian parliamentary elections on April 12 are being billed as the most important in the country’s modern history. With Hungary a key focus in the escalating confrontation between Russia and the West, this weekend’s vote could also have geopolitical implications that will be felt in Kyiv, Moscow, Brussels, and Washington. Current Hungarian Prime Minister […]

Civil Society Conflict

Eye on Europe's elections

Apr 6, 2026

Your primer on the Hungarian National Assembly elections

By Atlantic Council experts

An electoral defeat for Prime Minister Viktor Orbán could reshape Hungary’s domestic political trajectory and the country’s relations with the rest of Europe.

Elections Hungary

Dispatches

Apr 2, 2026

Don’t count Orbán out yet. Hungary’s opposition faces an uphill battle on April 12.

By Eva Mulholland

The current Hungarian prime minister’s party is behind in the polls, but there are several reasons why the upcoming election’s results may differ from polling.

Elections Hungary

Dispatches

Mar 23, 2026

What Romania’s role in the Iran war reveals about its diplomatic positioning

By Alex Șerban, Kirsten Fontenrose

Amid transatlantic differences over the Iran war, Romania’s ability to maintain a balance between Washington and its European partners is a valuable strategic contribution to NATO.

Central Europe Conflict

UkraineAlert

Dec 23, 2025

Reclaiming Russia’s ‘historical lands’: How far do Putin’s imperial ambitions extend?

By Peter Dickinson

Putin has again vowed to "liberate Russia's historical lands" via negotiations or military means. The list of countries that could qualify as "historically Russian" in Putin's revisionist worldview is long and extends far beyond Ukraine, writes Peter Dickinson.

Central Europe Conflict

New Atlanticist

Nov 26, 2025

Poland doesn’t have to choose between defense spending and growth—if it makes the right reforms

By Jenna Ben-Yehuda and Jacek Siewiera

Polish defense-tech talent is real, but government structures are misaligned to the moment and impede innovation and economic growth.

Defense Industry Defense Policy

New Atlanticist

Nov 20, 2025

Russia’s shadow war: How the Kremlin uses sabotage to wear down Europe

By Piotr Arak

Moscow’s goal is not just to damage infrastructure but also to sow distrust inside Western societies.

Europe & Eurasia NATO

New Atlanticist

Nov 19, 2025

Dispatch from Warsaw: How to respond as Putin ratchets up the pressure

By Daniel Fried

A suspected act of sabotage on a Polish railway line has highlighted the need for NATO countries to respond to Russian aggression.

Central Europe Crisis Management
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Experts

Fellow

Roderick Kefferpütz

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

Central Europe China

Staff

Aaron Korewa

Director, Warsaw Office

Europe Center

Central Europe Northern Europe

Millennium fellow

Kornel Koronowski

Head of Origination Poland, Statkraft

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Europe Energy & Environment

Fellow

Dominika Kunertova

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Artificial Intelligence Central Europe

European Leadership Accelerator Participant

Leon Leskovec

Policy Advisor, Legislative Coordination Unit, EPP Group in the European Parliament

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Europe Politics & Diplomacy

Millennium fellow

Marcel Lewicki

Director of Partnerships and Development, Munich Security Conference

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Europe Eastern Europe
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