Europe & Eurasia

Europe & Eurasia

Stretching from the shores of the Atlantic to the mountains of Central Asia, the European and Eurasian landmass contains both some of the most stable and wealthy countries in the world, as well as some of the poorest and those led by repressive regimes. Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine launched in 2022 has transformed the region’s security and launched economic, political, and defense issues into the global limelight, emphasizing the necessity of increased regional and transatlantic cooperation.

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Featured Reading

Can the EU’s mutual-defense clause replace NATO’s Article 5?

Dispatches May 22, 2026

Washington’s latest force posture moves have Europeans feeling whiplash

By Daniel Fried, Torrey Taussig

The announcement on sending US troops to Poland didn’t stop Washington’s other force posture decisions from generating concern among NATO allies.
Eastern Europe Europe & Eurasia
Can the EU’s mutual-defense clause replace NATO’s Article 5?

Atlantic Council Strategy Paper Series May 13, 2026

A US and allied strategy for Greenland

By the Atlantic Council Task Force on Greenland

After US rhetoric about taking control of Greenland exacerbated tensions between Washington and European allies in January, the US, Greenland, and Denmark opened discussions about the US presence in the autonomous territory. In parallel, the Atlantic Council’s Task Force on Greenland brought together transatlantic expertise to explore the underlying issues and find a productive path forward.
Greenland Northern Europe
Can the EU’s mutual-defense clause replace NATO’s Article 5?

Issue Brief May 8, 2026

Can Friedrich Merz’s chancellorship survive?

By Phyllis Berry

One year into his chancellorship, Friedrich Merz heads a government beset by economic stagnation, low public approval, and coalition tensions.
Economy & Business Elections

featured events

Public Event Fri, April 17, 2026 • 11:45 am ET

The British ambassador to the US on Euro-Atlantic security and the Middle East

British Ambassador to the United States Sir Christian Turner joins the Atlantic Council to discuss the UK’s ongoing diplomatic efforts in the Middle East and its vision for the future of Euro-Atlantic security cooperation.
Europe & Eurasia Iran Middle East NATO
Public Event Wed, November 19, 2025 • 9:00 am ET

Intent to destroy: Confronting Russia’s campaign to erase Ukraine and its people

In this conference hosted by the Strategic Litigation Project and the Eurasia Center, experts will identify strategies to halt Russia’s campaign of atrocities against the Ukrainian people.
Civil Society Conflict Crisis Management Security & Defense

The Russia Tomorrow series

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 challenged much of the common Western understanding of Russia. How can the world better understand Russia? What are the steps forward for Western policy? The Eurasia Center’s new “Russia Tomorrow” series seeks to reevaluate conceptions of Russia today and better prepare for its future tomorrow.

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Russia Tomorrow

The CRINK: Inside the new bloc supporting Russia’s war against Ukraine

by Angela Stent

The latest report in the Atlantic Council’s Russia Tomorrow series details how Russia’s war against Ukraine has brought together a new set of partners–united not by shared values, but by shared grievances–on the international stage: China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.

In-depth Research & reports

Can the EU’s mutual-defense clause replace NATO’s Article 5?

Russia Tomorrow Dec 12, 2025

The Russian economy in 2025: Between stagnation and militarization 

By Elina Ribakova, Lucas Risinger

The latest report in the Atlantic Council’s Russia Tomorrow series examines the Russian wartime economy.
Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia
Can the EU’s mutual-defense clause replace NATO’s Article 5?

Report Jan 14, 2026

Digital sovereignty: Europe’s declaration of independence?

By Frances Burwell, Kenneth Propp

In Brussels, “digital sovereignty” may be the new “strategic autonomy”: a push for Europe to go its own way and depend less on the United States. As US tech companies and EU regulators clash, catch up on a policy debate with consequences playing out online and in the halls of power.
Digital Policy Economy & Business

programs

The Europe Center promotes the transatlantic leadership and strategies required to ensure a strong Europe.

EXPLORE THE PROGRAM

The Eurasia Center’s mission is to enhance transatlantic cooperation in promoting stability, democratic values and prosperity in Eurasia, from Eastern Europe and Turkey in the West to the Caucasus, Russia and Central Asia in the East.

EXPLORE THE PROGRAM

Within the Atlantic Council’s longstanding commitment to strengthening the transatlantic relationship, the Atlantic Council Turkey Program conducts research, provides thought leadership, and offers a platform for strategic dialogue between the US, Turkey, and NATO allies to address the region’s toughest challenges and explore opportunities, including in the fields of energy, business & trade, technology, defense, and security.

Learn more

Explore the Power Vertical podcast

The Power Vertical

The Power Vertical is a blog and podcast for Russia wonks and Kremlin watchers by Brian Whitmore. It covers emerging and developing trends in Russian politics, shining a spotlight on the high-stakes power struggles, machinations, and clashing interests that shape Kremlin policy today.

Explore the Debrief series

#AtlanticDebrief

#AtlanticDebrief hosts interviews with leading experts, policymakers, and newsmakers from both sides of the Atlantic to unpack the challenges and opportunities of the transatlantic relationship.

Explore the Series

#BalkansDebrief

The Atlantic Council Europe Center’s #BalkansDebrief series features timely conversations on key issues impacting the Western Balkans. Nonresident senior fellow Ilva Tare hosts newsmakers, experts, and officials for discussions on rule of law, energy security, cultural heritage, Russian and Chinese influence in the region, and more.

Explore the Series

Content

Issue Brief

May 29, 2026

Can the EU’s mutual-defense clause replace NATO’s Article 5?

By James Batchik and Katherine Johnson

The European Union's mutual-defense clause, less well-known than NATO's commitment under Article 5 that an attack on one is an attack on all, is receiving new attention in light of questions over the US security commitment to Europe.

European Union NATO

Global Energy Agenda

May 28, 2026

Ukraine’s legacy grid and wartime agility could help answer Europe’s energy problem

By Lana Zerkal

Ukraine’s strong position as a potential supplier of European energy is rooted in its resilience, resources, and resolve.

Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security

Econographics

May 28, 2026

As China’s surpluses become unbearable, the EU is edging toward its own Section 301

By Charles Lichfield, L. Daniel Mullaney, Jessie Yin

With Chinese industrial surpluses flooding global markets, the EU is quietly debating whether it should borrow from the US tariff toolkit—marking a potential shift toward a more assertive approach to Beijing.

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

Issue Brief

May 28, 2026

A framework for US-Japan cooperation in the Arctic

By Kyoko Imai, Connor McPartland, Audrey Roh

Japan's status as a maritime state and proximity to the Arctic Ocean means it is easily affected by climate-driven environmental shifts, evolving maritime routes, and infrastructure changes in the Arctic. How should it approach the rapidly changing region?

Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia

UkraineAlert

May 28, 2026

Ukraine’s battlefield success should not lead us to underestimate Russia

By Peter Dickinson

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has failed to achieve any of its key goals, but this reflects Ukrainian strength rather than Russian weakness. Putin's army remains a formidable threat to Europe that must not be underestimated, writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict Defense Industry

In the News

May 28, 2026

Wieslander quoted in Politico

Anna Wieslander, Director for Northern Europe, was featured in a Politico article on Thursday, May 28, commenting on the security situation and the recent Swedish military exercise on Gotland, the strategically located Swedish island in the Baltic Sea. Interviewed by Politico’s Victor Jack, Wieslander highlighted that Gotland has faced an increasing frequency of Russian hybrid […]

Northern Europe Security & Defense

Global Energy Agenda

May 27, 2026

Greece’s energy realism: A bridge for transatlantic energy cooperation

By Stavros Papastavrou

Greece has the resources, geography, and geopolitical partnerships to help strengthen European energy security and advance its energy transition.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

UkraineAlert

May 26, 2026

Kyiv hosts Belarus opposition leader as Moscow drags Minsk closer to war

By Hanna Liubakova

As concern mounts that Moscow is pushing Minsk to join the invasion of Ukraine, Kyiv is strengthening ties with the democratic Belarusian opposition, writes Hanna Liubakova.

Belarus Conflict

Timely Commentary & Analysis

May 25, 2026

Braw in Mirror on a Russian warship being spotted 30 miles of the UK coast

By Elisabeth Braw

On May 25, Transatlantic Security Initiative senior fellow Elisabeth Braw was mentioned in an article in Mirror on the Russian cruise missile ship RFN Admiral Grigorovich being spotted 30 miles off the UK coast while escorting sanctioned Russian tankers through the English Channel.

Europe & Eurasia Maritime Security

Timely Commentary & Analysis

May 25, 2026

Braw in El Pais on Russia’s hybrid activity in the Øresund Strait

By Elisabeth Braw

On May 25, Transatlantic Security Initiative senior fellow Elisabeth Braw was mentioned in an article in El Pais on how the Øresund Strait has become crucial to Russia’s hybrid operations.

Europe & Eurasia Maritime Security
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Experts

Fellow

Lukas Andriukaitis

Nonresident Fellow

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Disinformation Eastern Europe

Executive Leadership Intensive participant

Istvan-Lorant Antal

Senator, Senate of Romania

Millennium Leadership Program

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

Fellow

Piotr Arak

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

Central Europe Economy & Business

Fellow

Gérard Araud

Distinguished Fellow

Europe Center

English Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Ryan Arick

Nonresident Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

NATO Security & Defense

Fellow

Lisa Aronsson

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Europe & Eurasia NATO
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Events

Public Event Wed, June 3, 2026 • 4:00 pm ET

Upgrading transregional defense partnerships: A cross-strait and beyond seminar
Defense Industry Europe & Eurasia Security & Defense Security Partnerships
Online Event Fri, June 5, 2026 • 10:00 am ET

Russia’s illicit exploitation of foreign nationals for its war against Ukraine
Europe & Eurasia Human Rights Resilience & Society Russia
Flagship Event Tue, June 9, 2026 • 9:00 am ET

2026 Global Energy Forum

The tenth Global Energy Forum will chart the course for continued innovation, collaboration, and leadership in the global energy transition. 
Africa Americas Climate Change & Climate Action Critical Minerals
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