Central Europe

FEATURED COMMENTARY & ANALYSIS

Poland and the United States: What’s right, what’s not, and what’s next

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

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 Economic Sanctions

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

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Content

Issue Brief

Jul 16, 2021

Poland and the United States: What’s right, what’s not, and what’s next

By Daniel Fried, Jakub Wiśniewski

Around the time of President Joe Biden’s first trip to Europe in June 2021, US-Polish relations experienced a short, but intense, rough patch. Both the United States and Poland need to look hard at what this relationship can do for both countries and for the transatlantic relationship, and at the sources of problems.

Europe & Eurasia
Poland

New Atlanticist

Jul 1, 2021

Policy memo: A digital agenda for the Three Seas Initiative Summit

By Frances Burwell, Jörn Fleck, James Batchik, and Luka Ignac

The Three Seas nations should invest in digital infrastructure, nurture emerging technologies, and amplify the region's voice on policy. Here's how.

Central Europe
Digital Policy

BelarusAlert

Jun 30, 2021

Belarus dictator weaponizes illegal migrants against EU

By Brian Whitmore

Kremlin-backed Belarus dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka has recently begun weaponizing migrants in his escalating confrontation with the European Union and neighboring countries Poland, Latvia, and Lithuania.

Belarus
Migration

EnergySource

Jun 28, 2021

Climate change, energy security, and international nuclear energy: Competition in the Czech Republic

By Robert F. Ichord, Jr.

Recent reports of Russian intelligence operations in the Czech Republic in 2014 have escalated tensions between the two countries, directly affecting the Czech government's plans for the future development of its nuclear sector. In light of this changing dynamic, President Biden should work to support Czech energy security and act to weaken Russia’s position in Central and Eastern European nuclear power markets.

Central Europe
Energy & Environment

Report

Jun 28, 2021

Collective cybersecurity for the Three Seas

By Safa Shahwan Edwards, Simon Handler, Trey Herr, Adam Marczyński, and Jakub Teska

In Central and Eastern Europe’s Three Seas region, twelve countries have joined together to invest in critical infrastructure projects and increase interconnectivity on energy, infrastructure, and digitization efforts along the way. To strengthen the resilience of these technical investments and better bind together the defensive cybersecurity operations of these societies, Three Seas member states should establish a regional hub for cybersecurity together with key private sector partners.

Central Europe
Cybersecurity

New Atlanticist

May 14, 2021

Czechmate? What’s behind the downward spiral in Czech-Russian relations

By Petr Tůma

After Czech officials exposed Russia's involvement in the 2014 explosions at the Vrbětice arms depot, diplomatic tensions have spiked. A Czech diplomat previews what's coming next.

Central Europe
Corruption

The Three Seas Initiative

May 6, 2021

Polish Prime Minister Morawiecki on the COVID comeback, the Three Seas Initiative, and where the US is falling short

By Atlantic Council

The Polish leader joined the Atlantic Council's EU-US Future Forum to discuss ways to improve the transatlantic relationship, and the challenges and opportunities in Central Europe.

Coronavirus
Economy & Business

Transcript

May 5, 2021

Slovak President Čaputová on EU-US pandemic recovery, the green transition, and digital regulation

By Atlantic Council

Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová said that resilience in the midst of major challenges is key and that the United States and European Union will need to work together to improve it.

Central Europe
Climate Change & Climate Action

Event Recap

Apr 1, 2021

Completing Europe: The Three Seas Initiative, featuring Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur

On March 25, 2021, the Atlantic Council’s Europe Center organized a strategy session on “Completing Europe: The Three Seas Initiative,” convened by Gen. James L. Jones, Jr. and Ambassador Georgette Mosbacher, Chairman and Co-Chair of the Atlantic Council’s Three Seas Programming. The roundtable featured opening remarks by Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) who has lead Congressional support for the Initiative. […]

Central Europe
Eastern Europe

Press Release

Feb 18, 2021

Atlantic Council announces Three Seas Chairs

Chairs will bring unparalleled experience to advancing international investment in Central Europe and the Baltic States

Central Europe