Northern Europe

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.

FEATURED COMMENTARY & ANALYSIS

<img decoding="async" src="https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-01-29T174043Z_1769708438_DPAF260129X99X327384_RTRFIPP_4_MILITARY-GERMANARMEDFORCES-NATO-NATOOSTFLANK-EASTFLANK-ARMY-500x350.jpg" alt="Sweden has a chance to transform European security—even before it officially joins NATO” class=”gta-horizontal-featured–img” />

Dispatches May 5, 2026

‘Zeitenwende’ is anchoring Germany’s role as a Baltic Sea Power

By Anna Wieslander

The Merz government has been keen to emphasize that Germany is a trustworthy and long-term security provider in the region.
Defense Policy Germany
<img decoding="async" src="https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2025-09-03T145344Z_1553361091_RC2EKGARQCB0_RTRMADP_3_UKRAINE-CRISIS-DENMARK-500x350.jpg" alt="Sweden has a chance to transform European security—even before it officially joins NATO” class=”gta-horizontal-featured–img” />

Dispatches Jan 27, 2026

How the Nordic-Baltic states became Europe’s reliable security engine

By Anna Wieslander

Eight Northern European states are acting together early and turning solidarity into capabilities and delivery. 
NATO Northern Europe
<img decoding="async" src="https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/greenland-anna-article-image-scaled-e1783614347387-500x350.jpg" alt="Sweden has a chance to transform European security—even before it officially joins NATO” class=”gta-horizontal-featured–img” />

Dispatches Jan 7, 2026

Trump’s quest for Greenland could be NATO’s darkest hour

By Anna Wieslander

If the United States intervenes to seize Greenland the future of NATO would be at stake. Such a development would be contrary to US national interests.
Greenland International Norms

Program

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

EXPLORE THE PROGRAM
explore the northern Europe office

Content

New Atlanticist

Jan 30, 2023

<strong>Sweden has a chance to transform European security—even before it officially joins NATO</strong>

By Franklin D. Kramer

Sweden can wield the agenda-setting powers of its presidency to push a EU security and defense budget directed toward three crucial aims: mobility, sustainment, and critical infrastructure protection.

Defense Industry Defense Policy

New Atlanticist

Jan 27, 2023

What Turkey really wants from Sweden

By Rich Outzen

Turkey likely will still approve Sweden's bid for NATO membership, but not until summer and only after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gets more cooperation against the PKK.

Europe & Eurasia NATO

In the News

Jan 26, 2023

Wieslander quoted in Finnish Verkkouutiset on potential F-16s to Turkey

“The United States has entered the game. And Erdogan needs his F-16 fighter jets,” Wieslander, Northern Europe Director of the Atlantic Council, wrote.

NATO Northern Europe

In the News

Jan 19, 2023

Wieslander in Carnegie Europe’s “Judy Asks: Is European strategic autonomy over?”

“Yes, at least in the short term, it seems as if ‘reality killed the cat,'” wrote Wieslander. “Already before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, France adopted a more sobering stance…The recent EU initiatives on defense tend to be complementary to NATO and draw on the particular strengths of the union, which is a step in […]

NATO Northern Europe

In the News

Jan 14, 2023

Wieslander in Le Monde on Sweden-Turkey NATO negotiations

“Director for Northern Europe in the Atlantic Council, Anna Wieslander believes that Stockholm and Helsinki had no other choice, but that the ball is now in Turkey’s court: ‘Sweden has gone as far as it could, even if the negotiations continue, the pressure will have to come from the other member states.'” Turkey plays a […]

NATO Northern Europe

Issue Brief

Jan 6, 2023

How allied Sweden and Finland can secure Northern Europe 

By Anna Wieslander, Eric Adamson, Jesper Lehto

NATO is approaching its ninth round of enlargement. The accession of Sweden and Finland—two solid democracies and defenders of the international-rules based order—into the Alliance will strengthen the core of the transatlantic community.

Defense Policy NATO

New Atlanticist

Dec 7, 2022

The new Swedish government’s agenda for its EU presidency: Forging unity on Ukraine, defense, and trade

By Katherine Golden

Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström explained Wednesday at an Atlantic Council Front Page event that the EU needs strengthening on several fronts to face the challenges ahead.

European Union NATO

Transcript

Dec 7, 2022

Minister of Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström: Sweden’s EU presidency will push for a ‘stronger’ Europe

By Atlantic Council

Here's how Sweden plans to address the world's growing instability as the new EU president—and, eventually, the newest NATO member.

NATO Northern Europe

In the News

Nov 22, 2022

Wieslander in WSJ China on Polish missile incident

Anna Wieslander, the Atlantic Council’s director for Northern Europe, said in an interview to Wall Street Journal China that Poland’s hard-line stance on the Ukraine war could create a potential rift within NATO if the Polish government pushes for a strong and rapid NATO response to Russia. However, she said, the government has shown restraint […]

NATO Northern Europe

In the News

Nov 16, 2022

Wieslander interviewed by Sveriges Radio on missile striking Poland

“Ukraine has a right to self defence,” Anna Wieslander said to Sveriges Radio. This incident would not have occurred “if Russia was not attacking Ukraine.”

Europe & Eurasia NATO
Load More

Experts

Fellow

Justina Budginaite-Froehly

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center Transatlantic Security Initiative

Defense Industry European Union

Fellow

Ann-Sofie Dahl

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Danish Europe & Eurasia

European Leadership Accelerator Participant

Eveline Debora Nuta

Founder & CEO, Kollabrix

Millennium Leadership Program

Eastern Europe Education

Staff

Jörn Fleck

Senior Director

Europe Center Transform Europe Initiative

Digital Policy Economy & Business

Staff

Denise Forsthuber

Deputy Director, Strategic Engagement and Operations

Europe Center Transform Europe Initiative

Central Europe Eastern Europe

Fellow

Daniel Fried

Weiser Family Distinguished Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative Eurasia Center

Eastern Europe Democratic Transitions
Load More