Central Europe

Dispatch from Warsaw: Poland’s military and economic rise is coming just in time, as the West wobbles

By Daniel Fried

Its rise at home and its strategic clarity about Russia have placed Poland in the first rank of European powers for the first time in centuries.

How the far right could shape the future of the European Parliament

By Joely Virzi

Big questions remain around what Alternative for Germany, Hungary’s Fidesz party, and Brothers of Italy will do next.

Xi Jinping visited Europe to divide it. What happens next could determine if he succeeds.

By Zoltán Fehér

The Chinese leader's mission during his May 5-10 trip to France, Serbia, and Hungary was to sow division in Europe and to rally countries against “de-risking.”

From Vilnius to Warsaw: How to Advance Three Seas Goals Between Summits

By Olga Khakova

To define regional goals of digital, transport, and energy integration, the leaders of the Three Seas Initiative member states and partners meet annually. But to make real progress toward these goals, they must now create a secretariat to coordinate and act on challenges throughout the year.

Without tariffs, the EU faces a flood of Chinese imports of the ‘new three’

By Joseph Webster

Europe faces a surge in Chinese cleantech imports following recent US tariffs. This should prompt Brussels to selectively impose its own tariffs while also strengthening domestic industries to protect its economic and strategic interests.

Bridging the Baltic, Black, and Adriatic seas would serve both European and NATO interests

By Kaush Arha, Adam Eberhardt, Paolo Messa, and George Scutaru

Strategic corridors linking Constanța, Gdańsk, and Trieste would be transformative force multipliers for European peace and prosperity.

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.