European Union

European Union

Growing from its start as the European Coal and Steel Community, the European Union today has twenty-seven member states and is the only democratic, intergovernmental, supranational organization in the world. It has risen as a key actor and norm-setter in areas as diverse as trade, energy security, digital policy, and defense. In an era of great power competition, the United States has a national interest in the EU reinvigorating faith in the European project among Europeans and the rest of the world.

Region Spotlight

The only union of its kind

The European Union

Growing from its start as the European Coal and Steel Community, the European Union today has twenty-seven member states and is the only democratic, intergovernmental, supranational organization in the world. It has risen as a key actor and norm-setter in areas as diverse as trade, energy security, digital policy, and defense. In an era of great power competition, the United States has a national interest in the EU reinvigorating faith in the European project among Europeans and the rest of the world.

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

Issue Brief May 29, 2026

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

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.

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

Issue Brief Apr 9, 2026

Transatlantic cooperation on AI and national security

By Antonio Calcara

AI and its linkages with national security will play a key role in transatlantic relations. But absent more structured cooperation, the United States and the European Union risk drifting further apart on AI policy.
Artificial Intelligence Digital Policy
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

Featured events

Online Event Mon, March 23, 2026 • 11:00 am ET

Transatlantic relations in an era of upheaval

An expert discussion on how Europe is reacting to events in 2026 and approaching its geopolitical ambitions in a changing international landscape.
Digital Policy Economy & Business Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia
Online Event Wed, January 14, 2026 • 12:00 pm ET

The future of EU-Mercosur trade

A panel of experts unpack the EU-Mercosur trade deal and what it means for competitiveness, climate-linked trade rules, and the future of transatlantic strategy.
European Union Latin America Trade and tariffs

The Transatlantic Digital Marketplace Initiative

The Europe Center’s Transatlantic Digital Marketplace Initiative seeks to foster greater understanding on digital policy between the United States and Europe and build tangible cooperation in this critical area of the transatlantic relationship.

Read More

Issue Brief

Improving transatlantic cooperation on digital competition

by Zach Meyers

Greater dialogue between US and EU regulators would reveal similar priorities on digital competition, mergers, and antitrust issues, and could lead to greater alignment on key digital competition issues.

In-depth Research & reports

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

Issue Brief Mar 25, 2026

Negotiating an EU-US biometric information-sharing agreement

By Kenneth Propp

Amid tensions between the US and Europe over trade, tech, and now the war in Iran, Washington and Brussels are negotiating over the US Department of Homeland Security’s request for access to European biometric data. What does each side want—and what is achievable?
Cybersecurity Digital Policy
Can the EU’s mutual-defense clause replace NATO’s Article 5?

Report Dec 19, 2025

Enhancing land military mobility in Europe: Advocating a pragmatic approach

By Clément Gaubert, Freddy Geay, François Catala, and Léonie Allard

Solving the challenges of military mobility in Europe requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-society perspective. Given the geopolitical climate, Europe should move quickly on this most pressing issues for the North Atlantic Alliance.
Europe & Eurasia Politics & Diplomacy
Can the EU’s mutual-defense clause replace NATO’s Article 5?

Report Nov 10, 2025

Is Europe waking up to the China challenge? How geopolitics are reshaping EU and transatlantic strategy

By Zoltán Fehér, Valbona Zeneli

China’s rising global ambitions challenge both US and European interests. By examining the EU’s gradual shift toward “de-risking” and gaps in transatlantic policy, this report offers insights for developing a more coherent and coordinated strategy to address Beijing’s economic and security challenges.
China Europe & Eurasia

Program

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

EXPLORE THE PROGRAM

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

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

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

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

Dispatches

May 21, 2026

Montenegro at twenty: What kind of state will it become?

By Ratko M. Knežević

Even as Montenegrins mark today’s anniversary, the true meaning of independence must be something far more ambitious.

European Union Politics & Diplomacy

GeoTech Cues

May 21, 2026

Europe must address the ‘digital sovereignty triad’

By Trevor H. Rudolph

As part of its Tech Sovereignty Package, the EU is developing its own definition of digital sovereignty. But a fundamental question will likely remain: how can the bloc balance control over data, legal authority, and vendor independence while maintaining openness to global technology partners and preserving digital resilience?

Cybersecurity Digital Policy

TURKEYSource

May 20, 2026

The future of European nuclear deterrence—and Turkey’s role in it

By Mehmet Fatih Ceylan and Ece Şolendil

With US guarantees in doubt, Europe is moving toward its own nuclear deterrent. Can it succeed—and what role should Turkey play?

European Union Nuclear Deterrence

UkraineAlert

May 19, 2026

Ukraine’s experience can teach Europe how to defend against Russia

By Valeriya Ionan, Nicolas Dunais

Ukraine's wartime transformation should inform European defense modernization in both technology and doctrine. Europe must now choose: Seize the opportunity to adapt or procrastinate and risk future defeat, write Valeriya Ionan and Nicolas Dunais.

Conflict Defense Industry

UkraineAlert

May 14, 2026

Putin’s parade projected weakness but he is now more dangerous than ever

By Maksym Beznosiuk, William Dixon

While the Kremlin dictator is clearly in a weakened position, a diminished Vladimir Putin could be more dangerous than ever, write Maksym Beznosiuk and William Dixon.

Conflict Drones

UkraineAlert

May 14, 2026

Zelenskyy raises alarm over Russia’s escalating ‘human safari’ in Ukraine

By Oleksandr Tolokonnikov

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has raised the alarm over Russia’s escalating “human safari” tactics targeting the civilian population in southern Ukraine’s Kherson region, writes Oleksandr Tolokonnikov.

Conflict Drones
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Experts

Fellow

Joseph T. Bonivel Jr.

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoTech Center

Cybersecurity Defense Technologies

Fellow

Erik Brattberg

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

Danish Digital Policy

Fellow

Chris Brummer

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoEconomics Center

Digital Currencies Economy & Business

Fellow

Justina Budginaite-Froehly

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center Transatlantic Security Initiative

Defense Industry European Union

Fellow

Julie Chon

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoEconomics Center

Americas China

Fellow

Andrei Covatariu

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Global Energy Center

Eastern Europe Energy & Environment
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Events

Flagship Event Fri, December 11, 2026 • 8:30 am ET

2026 Transatlantic Forum on GeoEconomics

The Transatlantic Forum on GeoEconomics is an annual flagship convening focused on issues at the nexus of economics, finance, foreign policy, and national security.
Digital Policy Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia European Union