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

The European Refugee Surge: Transforming Challenges into Opportunities

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
The European Refugee Surge: Transforming Challenges into Opportunities

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
The European Refugee Surge: Transforming Challenges into Opportunities

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

The European Refugee Surge: Transforming Challenges into Opportunities

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
The European Refugee Surge: Transforming Challenges into Opportunities

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

EconoGraphics

Apr 1, 2016

The European Refugee Surge: Transforming Challenges into Opportunities

By Alvaro Morales Salto Weis & TK Spandhla

Asylum applications to the European Union (EU) set an all-time record in 2015, more than doubling the 2014 figure, according to EUROSTAT. After the recent agreement between Turkey and the EU, the influx of refugees is expected to decrease significantly.

Afghanistan Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Apr 1, 2016

Michel Joins Voice of America’s Encounter Program to Discuss the Future of Security in the European Union Following the Brussels Attacks

By Leo Michel

European Union International Organizations
US forces in NOBLE PARTNER exercise, May 11, 2015

NATOSource

Apr 1, 2016

US Forces in Europe Switching from ‘Assurance To Deterrence’ Due to ‘Aggressive Russia’

By AFP

NATO and the United States are switching their defense doctrine from assurance to deterrence in Eastern Europe in response to a “resurgent and aggressive Russia,” the top US general in Europe said Thursday.

NATO Russia

In the News

Apr 1, 2016

Bryza Quoted by Trend on Azerbaijani President Aliyev’s Visit to the United States

By Matthew Bryza

Read the full article here.

The Caucasus

In the News

Apr 1, 2016

Herbst in The National Interest: How Russia Undermines Nuclear Security

By John E. Herbst

Russian aggression in Ukraine and nuclear saber rattling are jeopardizing the very global nonproliferation efforts that this week’s Nuclear Security Summit in Washington seeks to further. Moscow’s actions deserve a stronger response than they have received, not least to deter potential proliferators and reduce the risk of nuclear terrorism.

Nuclear Nonproliferation Russia

In the News

Apr 1, 2016

Stein Quoted by The Week on Russia’s Foreign Policy Strategy Toward Turkey

By Aaron Stein

Read the full article here.

Russia Turkey

Event Recap

Mar 31, 2016

Discussion on the Brussels Attacks with H.E. Jan Jambon, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Security and Homeland Affairs of Belgium

By Future Europe Initiative

The Atlantic Council’s Future Europe Initiative held a private, off-the-record, strategy lunch discussion hosted by H.E. Johan Verbeke, Belgian Ambassador to the United States and H.E. Jan Jambon, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Security and Homeland Affairs of Belgium on March 31, 2016, to discuss a way forward after the attacks in Brussels.

Western Europe

Event Recap

Mar 31, 2016

A Regional Approach for Nordic-Baltic Defense Cooperation

By Brent Scowcroft Center

On March 31, the Atlantic Council hosted a private workshop aimed at building a regional approach for Nordic-Baltic defense cooperation. The event convened a range of Nordic and Baltic experts, embassy representatives, and US government officials to develop new and actionable policy proposals to strengthen regional security and stability. Panel discussions focused on assessing Russian […]

NATO Russia

In the News

Mar 31, 2016

Manning in Global Times: Regional Bodies Could Provide Solutions to Growing Nuke Security Threats

By Robert A. Manning

Read the full article here.

China Nuclear Nonproliferation

Trade in Action

Mar 31, 2016

TTIP & Trade in Action – March 31, 2016

By Global Business & Economics Program

Last week President Obama visited Argentina. He praised new Argentine President Mauricio Macri for his swift implementation of reforms during his first 100 days in office. Obama said the two governments would work to identify barriers impeding greater trade flows between the two economies, adding that a free trade agreement was something that might lie […]

Central Europe Eastern Europe
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Experts

Expert

Defne Arslan

Senior Director

Atlantic Council Turkey Program

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

Staff

Rayhan Asat

Senior Legal & Policy Advisor, China Lead

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Central Asia China

European Leadership Accelerator Participant

Anna Ascani

Vice President of the Chamber, Italy Chamber of Deputies

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Europe Education

Fellow

David Auerswald

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Defense Policy Europe & Eurasia

Executive Leadership Intensive participant

Olivia Azadegan

Senior Energy Manager, Global Methane Hub

Millennium Leadership Program

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

Active affiliation

Olena Babakova

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

Central Europe Europe & Eurasia
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Events

Public Event Mon, June 15, 2026 • 12:30 pm ET

How should the United States counter Russia and China’s hybrid warfare?
China East Asia Eastern Europe Europe & Eurasia
Public Event Mon, June 15, 2026 • 3:00 pm ET

The Power of Sports Embassy Dialogues: Panama and Croatia
Americas Europe & Eurasia Latin America Politics & Diplomacy
Public Event Wed, June 17, 2026 • 3:30 pm ET

Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Thom Tillis on the upcoming NATO Summit in Ankara

AN AC FRONT PAGE EVENT—The Atlantic Council is hosting Senators Shaheen and Tillis for a conversation on the upcoming NATO Summit in Ankara.
Europe & Eurasia NATO Security & Defense
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