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

NATO Forum: Slovak Defense Leaders at the Atlantic Council

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

NATO Forum: Slovak Defense Leaders at the Atlantic Council

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

NATO Forum: Slovak Defense Leaders at the Atlantic Council

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

Event Recap

Mar 16, 2010

NATO Forum: Slovak Defense Leaders at the Atlantic Council

The Atlantic Council hosted Slovak Minister of Defense Jaroslav Baška and General Ľubomír Bulík, Chief of the General Staff of the Slovak Armed Forces, for a NATO Forum strategy session.

Central Europe NATO

New Atlanticist

Nov 13, 2009

Poland’s Path to NATO

By Adam Michnik

Adam Michnik looks at the revolutions that brought about the fall of communism.

Germany NATO

New Atlanticist

Nov 6, 2009

Completing Europe

By Damon Wilson

In the wake of the collapse of the Berlin Wall, “Europe whole, free and at peace” was not just a vision; it was a successful policy leading to the consolidation of democracy in Central and Eastern Europe and the integration of the region into Europe’s great institutions. This outcome was neither easy nor obvious.

Central Europe Eastern Europe

New Atlanticist

Sep 28, 2009

Lugar Wants ‘Boots on the Ground’ in Eastern Europe

By James Joyner

Senator Richard Lugar, speaking at the Atlantic Council, made a passionate plea for a stronger NATO commitment to East and Central Europe, including “boots on the ground.”

Central Europe Eastern Europe

New Atlanticist

Sep 21, 2009

Missile Defense: What Scowcroft Missed

By Adrian Karatnycky

Brent Scowcroft has issued a strong statement of support for President Obama’s decision to scrap George Bush’s planned missile shield in Poland and the Czech Republic in favor of a sea-based system.  General Scowcroft, however, elides the main point. While there may be a strong case in favor of the Aegis alternative, the announcement should […]

Central Europe Eastern Europe

New Atlanticist

Sep 18, 2009

Obama’s Missile Defense Decision: The View From Europe

By James Joyner

President Obama’s decision to abandon the missile defense systems in Poland and Czech Republic agreed to by his predecessor has created a firestorm of controversy, with quite different reactions in Russia, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, and domestically.

Missile Defense Poland

New Atlanticist

Sep 17, 2009

Obama Abandons Poland and Czech Missile Defense

By James Joyner

President Obama this morning announced the cancellation of the long-range missile defense system based in Poland and the Czech Republic agreed to by his predecessor in favor of a system of  sensors and interceptors based at sea.

Poland

New Atlanticist

Jun 2, 2009

Poland’s Democracy at 20

By James Joyner

As the 20th anniversary of the Solidarity movement’s triumph approaches, Poland finds itself divided politically and unhappy with its current state of affairs.  That’s a good thing.

Poland

New Atlanticist

May 11, 2009

Europe Betrays Its Mission in Prague

By Borut Grgic

The much-anticipated Prague Summit between the European Union and our eastern partners was a flop. The eastern partnership declaration published last Thursday is not worth the paper it was printed on.

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Feb 27, 2009

Poland Expects Worst on Missile Defense

By James Joyner

Warsaw seems resigned to the Obama administration reneging on an agreement signed by its predecessor to put a missile defense system in Poland.

Missile Defense Poland
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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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Events

Public Event Mon, March 30, 2026 • 2:00 pm ET

Report launch: How the West lost the post-Cold War era
Central Europe Eastern Europe Europe & Eurasia Politics & Diplomacy