Poland

Poland is a major actor within NATO and the European Union, a growing economic powerhouse, and an influential regional forerunner. It has shown leadership in shaping the transatlantic response to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and acted as a haven for millions of refugees. These efforts, combined with a planned increase in defense spending, have made it a security provider and an important US ally in Central and Eastern Europe. With the continued rise of populism, the United States needs to continue investing in this relationship.

FEATURED COMMENTARY & ANALYSIS

Reclaiming Russia’s ‘historical lands’: How far do Putin’s imperial ambitions extend?

New Atlanticist Nov 26, 2025

Poland doesn’t have to choose between defense spending and growth—if it makes the right reforms

By Jenna Ben-Yehuda and Jacek Siewiera

Polish defense-tech talent is real, but government structures are misaligned to the moment and impede innovation and economic growth.
Defense Industry Defense Policy
Reclaiming Russia’s ‘historical lands’: How far do Putin’s imperial ambitions extend?

New Atlanticist Nov 20, 2025

Russia’s shadow war: How the Kremlin uses sabotage to wear down Europe

By Piotr Arak

Moscow’s goal is not just to damage infrastructure but also to sow distrust inside Western societies.
Europe & Eurasia NATO
Reclaiming Russia’s ‘historical lands’: How far do Putin’s imperial ambitions extend?

Report Nov 10, 2025

Poland’s policy on China: From partnership to skepticism

By Zoltán Fehér

Despite its traditionally transatlantic orientation, Poland pursued an engagement policy toward China until the late 2010s. However, unmet economic promises and Beijing’s alignment with Moscow following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine shifted Warsaw’s view of China from economic partner to systemic challenger.
China Economy & Business

Featured Event

Online Event Wed, June 4, 2025 • 9:00 pm ET

Warsaw Week 2025

At this year’s Warsaw Week—the Europe Center’s annual flagship conference—experts and officials gather in Poland to highlight the importance of relations between the United States and Europe.

Central Europe Eastern Europe Europe & Eurasia NATO
Online Event Mon, February 26, 2024 • 2:30 am ET

A conversation with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland Radosław Sikorski

Minister Sikorski joins the Atlantic Council to discuss the new Polish government’s priorities and vision for Polish foreign policy and transatlantic relations.
Central Europe Europe & Eurasia Poland Politics & Diplomacy

Program

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

EXPLORE THE PROGRAM
explore the warsaw office

Content

UkraineAlert

Dec 23, 2025

Reclaiming Russia’s ‘historical lands’: How far do Putin’s imperial ambitions extend?

By Peter Dickinson

Putin has again vowed to "liberate Russia's historical lands" via negotiations or military means. The list of countries that could qualify as "historically Russian" in Putin's revisionist worldview is long and extends far beyond Ukraine, writes Peter Dickinson.

Central Europe Conflict

New Atlanticist

Nov 26, 2025

Poland doesn’t have to choose between defense spending and growth—if it makes the right reforms

By Jenna Ben-Yehuda and Jacek Siewiera

Polish defense-tech talent is real, but government structures are misaligned to the moment and impede innovation and economic growth.

Defense Industry Defense Policy

New Atlanticist

Nov 20, 2025

Russia’s shadow war: How the Kremlin uses sabotage to wear down Europe

By Piotr Arak

Moscow’s goal is not just to damage infrastructure but also to sow distrust inside Western societies.

Europe & Eurasia NATO

New Atlanticist

Nov 19, 2025

Dispatch from Warsaw: How to respond as Putin ratchets up the pressure

By Daniel Fried

A suspected act of sabotage on a Polish railway line has highlighted the need for NATO countries to respond to Russian aggression.

Central Europe Crisis Management

Report

Nov 10, 2025

Poland’s policy on China: From partnership to skepticism

By Zoltán Fehér

Despite its traditionally transatlantic orientation, Poland pursued an engagement policy toward China until the late 2010s. However, unmet economic promises and Beijing’s alignment with Moscow following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine shifted Warsaw’s view of China from economic partner to systemic challenger.

China Economy & Business

UkraineAlert

Sep 23, 2025

Putin is escalating Russia’s hybrid war against Europe. Is Europe ready?

By Maksym Beznosiuk

Putin has clearly been encouraged by Trump’s efforts to downgrade America’s involvement in transatlantic security and feels emboldened to escalate his own hybrid war against Europe, writes Maksym Beznosiuk.

Belarus Conflict

UkraineAlert

Sep 18, 2025

Putin’s Polish probe demands decisive response to restore NATO deterrence

By Zahar Hryniv

Putin’s recent drone escalation in the skies over Poland is an unmistakable signal that NATO’s credibility is under threat. Western leaders must now respond decisively to deter further Russian aggression, writes Zahar Hryniv.

Conflict Drones

UkraineAlert

Sep 16, 2025

Ukraine’s skies are Europe’s first line of defense against Russian drones

By Alina Zubkovych

As NATO leaders respond to Russia's recent drone incursion into Poland, they should recognize that Ukraine's skies are now European first line of defense against Putin's growing drone fleet, writes Alina Zubkovych.

Conflict Defense Technologies

UkraineAlert

Sep 11, 2025

Belarus hosts Russian war games as Putin’s drones probe Poland

By Hanna Liubakova

On September 12, Belarus and Russia will begin their largest joint military exercises since the start of Putin's Ukraine invasion, just two days after at least nineteen Russian drones penetrated neighboring Polish airspace, writes Hanna Liubakova.

Belarus Conflict

New Atlanticist

Sep 10, 2025

Experts react: Poland just shot down Russian drones over its territory. Is Putin ramping up his war on Europe?

By Atlantic Council experts

The Russian drones may have strayed from their original flight paths, or the Kremlin could be launching an aggressive new gambit against NATO.

NATO Poland
Load More

Experts

Fellow

Piotr Arak

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

Central Europe Economy & Business

Active affiliation

Olena Babakova

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

Central Europe Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Ian Brzezinski

Senior Fellow

Europe Center Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Central Europe Defense Policy

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
Givi Gigitashvili

Staff

Givi Gigitashvili

Research Associate, Caucasus

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Conflict Disinformation
Load More