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

Transcript: Challenges and Opportunities in the Emerging Arctic

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

Transcript: Challenges and Opportunities in the Emerging Arctic

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

Transcript: Challenges and Opportunities in the Emerging Arctic

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.

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Content

Transcript

Oct 28, 2010

Transcript: Challenges and Opportunities in the Emerging Arctic

Full transcript of a public address and conversation with Grete Faremo, Minister of Defense of Norway.

Northern Europe

Event Recap

Oct 28, 2010

Challenges and Opportunities in the Emerging Arctic: A Norwegian Perspective

On October 28, the Atlantic Council’s International Security Program hosted Grete Faremo, Minister of Defense of Norway, for a public address and conversation.

Northern Europe

Transcript

Mar 22, 2010

Toomas Ilves Hendrik Transcript

Ilves Event Speakers: Frederick Kempe, President and CEO, Atlantic Council Andy Prozes, Atlantic Council Board Director and CEO, LexisNexis Toomas Hendrik Ilves, President of Estonia

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Mar 11, 2009

Denmark’s Anders Fogh Rasmussen Next NATO Chief?

By James Joyner

“Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the Danish prime minister, appears set to become the new secretary-general of Nato, following a private agreement by the leaders of Britain, France and Germany to back his candidacy,” James Blitz reports for the FT.

NATO Northern Europe

New Atlanticist

Sep 8, 2008

Would NATO Defend Narva?

By Alexander Motyl

Russia’s war against Georgia has forced Europeans to ask where their true interests lie and which country they’d be willing to defend if and when a Russian push ever comes to shove.

NATO Northern Europe

Experts

Fellow

James J. Townsend Jr.

Senior Advisor

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Defense Policy Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Henri Vanhanen

Nonresident Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Artificial Intelligence English

Expert bio

Satu Vasamo-Koskinen

Visiting Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Artificial Intelligence Digital Policy

Fellow

Peter Westmacott

Distinguished Ambassadorial Fellow

Europe Center

Economy & Business European Union

Staff

Anna Wieslander

Director, Northern Europe

Europe Center

Defense Policy Disinformation

Fellow

Katarzyna Zysk

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Arms Control English