Northern Europe

Northern Europe holds great geostrategic importance to the transatlantic community as trade routes, emerging competition in the Arctic, and sustained Russian pressure make the region a key security concern for competing powers. Northern European states are active members of the transatlantic community, and they face similar concerns with their allies and partners: climate change, foreign influence campaigns, disinformation, and growing populist sentiment. Despite disagreements on fundamental policy issues, the United States must continue to engage its regional allies and partners.

Content

Issue Brief

Jul 10, 2023

We don’t really know which NATO allies are pulling their weight. Here’s how to fix that.

By John R. Deni

As NATO allies gather in Vilnius, there will be much discussion about burden-sharing and who's living up to the 2014 Defense Investment Pledge. But exclusive statistical analysis by John R. Deni shows that spending more on defense doesn't necessarily add up to contributing more to NATO missions.

Europe & Eurasia National Security

In the News

Jul 10, 2023

Wieslander interviewed in Dagens Nyheter

“It is unclear what kind of agreement will be reached in Vilnius.” “‘I think it will be some kind of political declaration. You can put it on paper or you can just express it. The best thing now is to put the declaration in the form of a statement rather than conditioning things on paper’, […]

NATO Northern Europe

TURKEYSource

Jul 8, 2023

A looming US-Turkey F-16 deal is about much more than Sweden’s NATO bid

By Rich Outzen, Pınar Dost

The long-awaited fighter jet deal is a puzzle piece in a broader strategic calculation about Ankara’s role in NATO’s Southeast.

Conflict Defense Industry

In the News

Jul 8, 2023

Wieslander quoted in Dagens Nyheter

“‘Another important reason for NATO to include Sweden is political’, as Anna Wieslander points out.” “‘Sweden is a solid old democracy, we have a strong economy and we are members of the EU. Politically, we are a reliable country because NATO is based on democratic values with respect for the rule of law and individual […]

NATO Northern Europe

New Atlanticist

Jul 7, 2023

Will eleventh-hour diplomacy get Sweden into NATO by the Vilnius summit?

By Anna Wieslander and Eric Adamson

At stake in Vilnius is not only the security of Sweden and the Alliance as a whole, but NATO’s open-door credibility.

Europe & Eurasia National Security

New Atlanticist

Jul 7, 2023

The view from Vilnius: NATO needs speed and scale to ensure deterrence 

By Giedrimas Jeglinskas

The real test of the July 11-12 NATO Summit will be whether leaders take the opportunity to increase the Alliance's deterrence.

Conflict Eastern Europe

In the News

Jul 7, 2023

Wieslander interviewed by BBC on Sweden’s NATO prospects

NATO Northern Europe

In the News

Jul 5, 2023

Wieslander interviewed on Radio Sweden

P1 Morgon President Biden and Swedish prime minister Kristersson met in Washington, D.C. to discuss Sweden’s accession to NATO. Sveriges Radio speaks to Anna Wieslander, Director for Northern Europe at the Atlantic Council.

NATO Northern Europe

In the News

Jul 5, 2023

Wieslander quoted in Washington Post

Biden meets with Swedish prime minister to bolster country’s bid to join NATO Biden’s meeting with Kristersson sent an important signal to Turkey that the United States will stand by Sweden, but it remains to be seen whether a last-ditch push from the White House changes the timeline or trajectory. “It is important that it […]

NATO Northern Europe

In the News

Jul 4, 2023

Wieslander interviewed on Radio Sweden

Swedish PM to meet US President Biden Wednesday evening to discuss NATO Sweden’s PM Ulf Kristersson will meet with US President Joe Biden Wednesday evening to discuss Sweden’s entry into NATO. Anna Wieslander, director of Northern Europe at Atlantic Council, says that the meeting will possibly give new energy into the process of NATO accession […]

NATO Northern Europe

Experts