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

Libya: A Small War With Big Consequences

Dispatches
Sep 1, 2026

Where and how Putin could expand his war in Europe beyond Ukraine

By
Atlantic Council experts

The CIA director’s recent unannounced visit to Moscow has raised speculation about Russian plans to escalate attacks.

Conflict
Eastern Europe

Libya: A Small War With Big Consequences

Dispatches
Jul 9, 2026

Eleven takeaways from the NATO Summit in Ankara 

By
Atlantic Council experts

Atlantic Council experts break down the most important developments coming out of the Ankara summit.

Defense Industry
Defense Policy

Libya: A Small War With Big Consequences

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

featured events

Online Event
Thu, June 25, 2026 • 1:45 pm ET

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on the Ankara summit agenda

AN AC FRONT PAGE EVENT—NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte lays out his priorities for the upcoming Ankara summit.

Europe & Eurasia
NATO
United States and Canada


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.

Read More

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

Libya: A Small War With Big Consequences

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

Libya: A Small War With Big Consequences

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

NATOSource

Aug 30, 2011

Libya: A Small War With Big Consequences

By François Heisbourg, the International Herald Tribune

From François Heisbourg, the International Herald Tribune:  [T]his small and successful war will have major strategic consequences for both NATO and the European Union, as a result of President Barack Obama’s decision to “lead from behind,” and Chancellor Angela Merkel’s refusal to get involved.

United Kingdom United States and Canada

NATOSource

Aug 30, 2011

NATO’s Teachable Moment

By the Editors of the New York Times

From the Editors of the New York Times:  The Western allies, especially the British and French forces backed up by the United States, can be justly proud.

United Kingdom United States and Canada

NATOSource

Aug 29, 2011

Wolfgang Ischinger: “Germany should not become NATO’s problem child”

By Deutsche Welle

From Deutsche Welle:  Respected diplomat Wolfgang Ischinger talks about Germany’s decision to abstain from the UN Libyan vote and why despite the success of the NATO intervention, we won’t likely see a spate of similar missions soon.

European Union International Organizations

NATOSource

Aug 29, 2011

Libya Exposes Transatlantic Contradictions

By James Joyner, the New Atlanticist

From James Joyner, the New Atlanticist:  The late-night comedian Jon Stewart’s quip that “the U.S. handing Libya over to NATO is like Beyoncé saying she’s ceding control to Sasha Fierce” constantly came to mind as the fight dragged on.

United Kingdom United States and Canada

NATOSource

Aug 27, 2011

The Return of the West

By Charles Cogan, the Huffington Post

From Charles Cogan, the Huffington Post:  The French press (or a part of it) is calling it "Sarkozy’s War."

United Kingdom United States and Canada

NATOSource

Aug 27, 2011

Libya aftermath: What next for NATO?

By Philip Ewing, DoDBuzz

From Philip Ewing, DoDBuzz:  Alexis Crow of London’s Chatham House argues, “NATO will of course continue … but it will move away from a collective defense organization to a loosely based alliance and a talking shop.”

United Kingdom United States and Canada

NATOSource

Aug 27, 2011

NATO attacks pro-Gaddafi forces near Sirte

By Heba Saleh, the Financial Times

From Heba Saleh, the Financial Times:  Nato has launched air strikes against targets in the region around Sirte, the hometown of Libyan leader Muammer Gaddafi and a stronghold of loyalist forces

United Kingdom

NATOSource

Aug 25, 2011

Pentagon: US, NATO not in manhunt for Gaddafi

By Lolita C. Baldor and Robert Burns, the AP

From Lolita C. Baldor and Robert Burns, the AP:  Marine Col. David Lapan said the U.S. is conducting aerial surveillance of Libya in support of NATO’s military mission to protect civilians from attack by government forces. But he said this does not amount to targeting Gadhafi

United Kingdom United States and Canada

NATOSource

Aug 25, 2011

NATO Joins Hunt for Qaddafi

By Kareem Fahim, Rick Gladstone, and Alan Cowell, the New York Times

From Kareem Fahim, Rick Gladstone, and Alan Cowell, the New York Times:  NATO was reported on Thursday to be providing significant support in the hunt for Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi

United Kingdom

NATOSource

Aug 25, 2011

Europe and NATO weakened despite Libya victory

By AFP

From AFP:  The intervention mandated by the United Nations and carried out under NATO command "is a success because two major nations took their responsibilities," French Defence Minister Gerard Longuet said earlier this week.

United Kingdom United States and Canada
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Experts

Fellow

Arnold C. Dupuy

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Atlantic Council Turkey Program

Turkey Energy & Environment

Advisory Council member

Glory Edozein

Global Advisor, Women for Prosperity

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Africa Europe & Eurasia

Millennium fellow

Katrin Eggenberger

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Justice and Culture of the Principality of Liechtenstein

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Europe Eastern Europe

Fellow

Naz El-Khatib

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

Europe & Eurasia Indo-Pacific

Executive Leadership Intensive participant

Katerina Elias-Trostmann

Director, Climate & Nature for Latin America, Salesforce

Millennium Leadership Program

Brazil Climate Change & Climate Action

Fellow

Tobias Ellwood

Distinguished Fellow

GeoStrategy Initiative Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy
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Events

Online Event Thu, September 17, 2026 • 10:00 am ET

Report launch: How Russia targets its messaging in the Global South
Disinformation Europe & Eurasia Politics & Diplomacy Russia
Public Event Thu, September 17, 2026 • 10:30 am ET

Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski on North Macedonia’s Euro-Atlantic trajectory
Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia European Union Politics & Diplomacy
Public Event Thu, October 8, 2026 • 6:00 pm ET

Sea change: America’s new great game in the Arctic Circle
Defense Policy Defense Technologies Economy & Business Energy & Environment
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