Northern Europe

Obama Hosts Baltic Presidents This Week

On Friday, August 30, US President Barack Obama will host the presidents of the three Baltic states: Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, Latvian President Andris Bērziņš, and Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaitė. Atlantic Council Executive Vice President Damon Wilson discusses the significance of the visit and the expected topics on the agenda.

Global trends 2030: challenges and opportunities for Europe

By Robert A. Manning

Tailored to address the distinct challenges Europe faces, this report draws upon the US National Intelligence Council’s Global Trends 2030: Alternative Worlds and provides further, in-depth analysis on the policy priorities and opportunities for Europe in the future.

Baltic Spirit

By Julian Lindley-French

Having dinner with the Lithuanian Chief of Defense Staff Lieutenant General Pocius was a moving experience. Listening to the story of his family’s struggle for freedom left with me with the profound sense that every NATO and EU leader should visit the Baltic States at least once a year to remind themselves of the importance of […]

NATO’s Nordic Model

By Magnus Nordenman, New Atlanticist

From Magnus Nordenman, New Atlanticist:  Amidst massive defense cuts and perennial squabbling over burden sharing across NATO, the Nordic countries of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark have quietly assumed a real leadership role in the transatlantic security relationship.

How the Nordic Countries Are Quietly Leading the Alliance into the Future

By Magnus Nordenman

Amidst massive defense cuts and perennial squabbling over burden sharing across NATO, the Nordic countries of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark have quietly assumed a real leadership role in the transatlantic security relationship. They are making valuable contributions to the Alliance in personnel, strategic vision, operations, and policy. More importantly, they provide a model for […]

Our Arctic Strategy Deficit

By William Edwards

The United States is juggling multiple crises at home and around the world. Operating in crisis mode has meant a lack of attention to over-the-horizon issues, not least of which are in the Arctic, where there is a looming fight for territorial expansion driven by large amounts of untapped oil and natural gas resources in […]

For 375 Years, Close Partners

By Mark Brzezinski and Jonas Hafstrom

Innovative – entrepreneurial – audacious – these words apply to this region just as much today as they did 375 years ago.

Punching Above Their Weight

By Michael Hannan

The U.S. admires certain nations for their willingness to be involved in crises and contingency operations, but we rarely challenge them to lead. We must change this — by helping carefully selected nations to improve their ability to participate in and ultimately take charge of regional security efforts, and by championing them as fuller partners […]

US and Finland Sign Agreement to Increase Sharing of Classified Information

By the Department of State

From the Department of State:  Secretary of State Clinton and Foreign Minister Tuomioja today signed the U.S.-Finland General Security of Information Agreement. This marks a significant step in facilitating information sharing between the two countries. The Agreement covers all classified information passed between the two governments, and ensures that each country has appropriate and equal […]