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

Digitalization in Central and Eastern Europe: Building regional cooperation

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
Digitalization in Central and Eastern Europe: Building regional cooperation

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
Digitalization in Central and Eastern Europe: Building regional cooperation

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

Report

Oct 28, 2020

Digitalization in Central and Eastern Europe: Building regional cooperation

By The Atlantic Council Task Force on Digitalization in Central and Eastern Europe and the Three Seas Initiative

Digitalization has been heralded as “the next engine of growth” for the economies of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and the idea that digitalization can transform the region’s economic model has never been more relevant than amid the current coronavirus pandemic.

Central Europe Digital Policy

Press Release

Oct 19, 2020

Tallinn summit marks significant progress in Three Seas Initiative

Infrastructure fund raises over $1.3B, including a $300 Million USG investment

Central Europe

Issue briefs and reports

Oct 19, 2020

The United States and Central Europe: A road map for a democratic post-pandemic agenda

By Daniel Fried, Jakub Wiśniewski, Denise Forsthuber, Alena Kudzko

“The United States and Central Europe: A Road Map for a Democratic Post-Pandemic Agenda” outlines these themes and advocates for a common US-Central European agenda in seeking a better post-COVID-19 world.

Central Europe Coronavirus
Czech Flashbang grenade

Article

Oct 6, 2020

Belarus riot police disperse crowds with Czech-made flashbangs

By Lukas Andriukaitis

Open-source clues on Czech arms company potentially supplying stun grenades to Lukashenka’s regime in violation of EU embargo.

Belarus Central Europe

New Atlanticist

Sep 29, 2020

Three Seas Initiative could help jumpstart Europe’s post-COVID recovery and green economy transformation

By David A. Wemer

Buoyed by a new commercially managed investment fund and a $1 billion pledge from the United States, leaders from the Three Seas Initiative will convene for a summit on October 19 to move the project into its next stage.

Central Europe Climate Change & Climate Action
Belarus military trucks on road

Article

Aug 25, 2020

Tracking military movements inside and outside Belarus

By Lukas Andriukaitis

Columns of Belarusian military equipment have been recorded heading toward Baltic states as Belarus witnesses peaceful protests throughout the country.

Belarus Disinformation

New Atlanticist

Aug 14, 2020

Beyond 5G, Central Europe will be key to countering Chinese technological influence

By Frances Burwell, Jörn Fleck, and Eileen Kannengeiser

In seeking to further roll back China’s influence, the US has targeted Huawei during its CEE visit as the Shenzhen-based telecoms-equipment manufacturer competes for a prominent role in the region’s cellular network infrastructure and 5G expansion.

Central Europe Eastern Europe

New Atlanticist

Jul 31, 2020

Polish PM calls for transatlantic unity on troop deployments and China

By David A. Wemer

Speaking at an Atlantic Council Front Page event, Morawiecki argued that “the NATO alliance is so important for the world to keep peace,” that allies must continue to work toward “consensus” in their actions.

Coronavirus European Union

New Atlanticist

Jul 13, 2020

Duda wins, but must now govern a divided Poland

By Daniel Fried

Duda won his election. He’s the president of a closely divided country. Trzaskowski almost beat him with a message that was inclusive and appealed to many Poles who, demographically and socially, probably represent Poland’s future. It’s now Duda’s move, hopefully to demonstrate that he is a unifying force in Poland.

Elections Poland

New Atlanticist

Jul 2, 2020

What Poland wants when it comes to US troops

By Teri Schultz

It's not a place the Polish government wants to be: caught between its crucial transatlantic ally the United States and its neighbor, Europe's most powerful country, Germany.

Defense Policy Germany
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Experts

European Leadership Accelerator Participant

Martin-Sebastian Abel

Co-Founder & Managing Director, TransitionPlan

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Europe Economy & Business

European Leadership Accelerator Participant

Slavina Ancheva

MPP Candidate and Belfer Young Leader, Harvard Kennedy School

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Europe Civil Society

Fellow

Mark Boris Andrijanič

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center Millennium Leadership Program

Central Europe Economy & Business

Fellow

Piotr Arak

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

Central Europe Economy & Business

European Leadership Accelerator Participant

Anna Ascani

Vice President of the Chamber, Italy Chamber of Deputies

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Europe Education

Active affiliation

Olena Babakova

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

Central Europe Europe & Eurasia
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