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Featured Reading

Soofer’s report ‘First, we will defend the homeland’ featured in Newsweek article on Trump’s ‘Iron Dome’

New Atlanticist Apr 21, 2025

Four contests for democracy in Europe challenge the narrative of advancing authoritarianism

By Daniel Fried

In Georgia, Hungary, Serbia, and Turkey, pro-democracy demonstrators are taking to the streets in massive numbers. But how long will the upsurge last?
Democratic Transitions Europe & Eurasia
Soofer’s report ‘First, we will defend the homeland’ featured in Newsweek article on Trump’s ‘Iron Dome’

New Atlanticist Mar 17, 2025

Enough carrots for Putin. For better negotiations, serve ‘maximum pressure’ instead.

By Benjamin L. Schmitt, Richard L. Morningstar, and Daniel Fried

Since Russia appears content for negotiations to move slowly, the Trump administration should turn up the pressure with new sanctions.
Conflict Economic Sanctions
Soofer’s report ‘First, we will defend the homeland’ featured in Newsweek article on Trump’s ‘Iron Dome’

Issue Brief Mar 5, 2025

The EU must become a strategic player in defense—alongside NATO

By Justina Budginaite-Froehly

The European Union and NATO need renewed alignment on defense to meet the new geopolitical moment. Refocused cooperation would provide a critically needed burden sharing to eliminate vulnerabilities and prepare Europe to withstand new realities.
Defense Industry Europe & Eurasia

featured events

Online Event Thu, March 20, 2025 • 9:30 am ET

The future of EU defense

Following the release of the European Union’s whitepaper on the future of European defense, an expert panel unpacks what role the EU should play in transatlantic security.
Europe & Eurasia European Union NATO Security & Defense
Online Event Tue, February 18, 2025 • 11:30 am ET

How long can Russia sustain its aggression in Ukraine?

The Eurasia Center discusses how the confluence of Russia’s war of attrition, economic decline, and energy damage impact the Russian Federation and its global standing.
Conflict Economic Sanctions Europe & Eurasia International Markets

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 reluctant consensus: War and Russia’s public opinion

by Maria Snegovaya

A new Atlantic Council report explores Russian society’s consolidation around the Kremlin and the Russian public’s perception of Putin’s war on Ukraine.

In-depth Research & reports

Soofer’s report ‘First, we will defend the homeland’ featured in Newsweek article on Trump’s ‘Iron Dome’

Report Mar 3, 2025

The art of the transatlantic deal

By Frances Burwell

The transatlantic relationship is shifting with US president Donald Trump’s return to the White House. Nevertheless, discreet deals across the US-EU trade, energy, and defense sectors are possible.
Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia
Soofer’s report ‘First, we will defend the homeland’ featured in Newsweek article on Trump’s ‘Iron Dome’

Report Jun 7, 2024

Reconstructing Ukraine at war: The journey to prosperity starts now

By John E. Herbst, Olga Khakova, Charles Lichfield

Rebuilding the Ukrainian economy after Russia’s full-scale invasion will be a monumental task. Reconstruction can’t wait for peace and must be a well-coordinated, inclusive process.
Economy & Business Energy & Environment

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

The Atlantic Council in Turkey aims to promote and strengthen transatlantic engagement with the region by providing a high-level forum and pursuing programming to address the most important issues on energy, economics, security, and defense.

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

In the News

Jan 29, 2025

Soofer’s report ‘First, we will defend the homeland’ featured in Newsweek article on Trump’s ‘Iron Dome’

By Atlantic Council

On January 28, Forward Defense senior fellow Robert Soofer was quoted in a Newsweek article titled “Donald Trump’s Iron Dome Over US: What We Know.” The article features his recent Atlantic Council report, “‘First, we will defend the homeland’: The case for homeland missile defense,” where he critiques existing defense systems and outlines the challenges […]

China Defense Policy

In the News

Jan 29, 2025

Soofer cited in New York Times article on Trump’s ‘Iron Dome’ Executive Order

By Atlantic Council

On January 28, Forward Defense senior fellow Robert Soofer was cited in a New York Times article entitled, “Trump Orders an ‘Iron Dome’-Style Defense System. Experts Are Skeptical.” The article quotes Soofer’s recent report, “‘First, we will defend the homeland’: The case for homeland missile defense” on how the “current approach to homeland missile defense […]

China Defense Policy

EnergySource

Jan 29, 2025

Bigger than the Berlin Airlift: How NATO’s natural gas shut down a key Russian pipeline 

By Simon Lomax, Morgan Bazilian, and Greg Clough

NATO's formidable defense of Europe against Russian energy aggression has shut down one of the last natural gas connections between the EU and Russia. These efforts are reminiscent of the 1948 Berlin Airlift, and mark a moment in geopolitics, energy security, and climate progress that merits celebration.

Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia

UkraineAlert

Jan 28, 2025

Ukrainian drones and missiles target Putin’s war machine inside Russia

By David Kirichenko

Ukraine has begun 2025 with an ambitious air offensive utilizing the country's expanding arsenal of domestically produced drones and missiles to target Putin's war machine inside Russia, writes David Kirichenko.

Conflict Defense Industry

Econographics

Jan 28, 2025

The 2025 crypto policy landscape: Looming EU and US divergences?

By Hung Tran, Barbara C. Matthews

High level regulatory and policy alignment is possible. Divergences, heated rhetoric, and drama are inevitable.

Digital Currencies Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Jan 27, 2025

The case for a US-UK trade and investment agreement

By L. Daniel Mullaney

As US President Donald Trump begins his second term, the United Kingdom is the right partner for the United States, and now is the right time for a deal.

Economy & Business Politics & Diplomacy

Inflection Points

Jan 27, 2025

Dispatch from Davos: Trump is both symptom and driver of our new geopolitical era

By Frederick Kempe

At the annual World Economic Forum meeting in Switzerland, attendees responded to the new president with celebration, dread, and a range of emotions in between.

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Jan 25, 2025

Webster quoted by ABC on possible Trump-Putin phone call

By Joseph Webster

Energy & Environment Politics & Diplomacy

TURKEYSource

Jan 24, 2025

There’s a path forward for Turkey-Greece cooperation—but it requires a dose of realism

By Harry Tzimitras

For a successful Turkey-Greece partnership, both sides need to actively seize the opportunities of cooperation.

Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia

Announcements

Jan 24, 2025

Atlantic Council’s Forward Defense program launches Hypersonic Capabilities Task Force

WASHINGTON, JANUARY 24, 2025 — The Atlantic Council’s Forward Defense program has convened former government officials and industry leaders on a Hypersonic Capabilities Task Force to address the opportunities that hypersonic capabilities offer to the United States to enhance deterrence and the challenges posed by adversary hypersonic capabilities. 

China Defense Policy
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Experts

Staff

Bailey Galicia

Project Assistant

Adrienne Arsht National Security Resilience Initiative GeoStrategy Initiative

Europe & Eurasia Extremism

European Leadership Accelerator Participant

Inês Bravo Figueiredo

Co-President, Volt Portugal

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Europe Economy & Business

Fellow

Evi Fuelle

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoTech Center

Digital Policy Economy & Business

Fellow

Fabio Petito

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Freedom and Prosperity Human Rights

European Leadership Accelerator Participant

Ivo Walinga

China Programme Officer, International Energy Agency

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Europe Energy & Environment

Fellow

Trevor H. Rudolph

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoTech Center

Cybersecurity Europe & Eurasia
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Events

Public Event Thu, May 1, 2025 • 1:00 pm ET

Underwater mayhem: Countering NATO energy & critical infrastructure threats
Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance Europe & Eurasia European Union
Public Event Thu, May 1, 2025 • 3:00 pm ET

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot on Europe and the new world order

AN #ACFRONTPAGE EVENT—French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot will share his vision of Europe’s role for the future of transatlantic relations.
Europe & Eurasia Politics & Diplomacy
Public Event Tue, May 6, 2025 • 12:30 pm ET

Belgium’s defense minister on Europe’s evolving security landscape
Europe & Eurasia NATO Security & Defense Western Europe
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