Poland

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

UK’s Show Of Force Against Russian Aggression

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

UK’s Show Of Force Against Russian Aggression

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

UK’s Show Of Force Against Russian Aggression

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
Tue, May 19, 2026 • 9:30 am ET

Warsaw Week 2026

A week of conversations highlighting Poland’s role in the transatlantic community.

Defense Industry
Defense Policy
Politics & Diplomacy
Security & Defense


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
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Content

500 British armored vehicles are participating in exercise Black Eagle

NATOSource

Nov 24, 2014

UK’s Show Of Force Against Russian Aggression

By SKY News and BBC

From SKY News:  More than 1,000 British troops and 500 armoured vehicles have been taking part in a military exercise in Poland, in a display of force not been seen since the Cold War.

Poland Russia
Russian embassy in Warsaw

NATOSource

Nov 17, 2014

Poles, Russians Expel Diplomats Over Spying

By Vanessa Gera, AP

Russian and Polish officials confirmed Monday that they have carried out tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions in an espionage affair that highlights intensified efforts by Moscow to penetrate NATO counties

Intelligence NATO

Congressional Relations

Nov 13, 2014

Bielecki: Russia’s challenge “even graver than it may appear”

By Atlantic Council

The Atlantic Council hosted the 2014 Bronislaw Geremek Lecture on the evening of November 6 at its headquarters in Washington, DC. The lecture series is an initiative launched by the Atlantic Council and the Government of Poland in 2009 to honor one of the great heroes of the Solidarity movement in Poland—and as a reminder […]

Eastern Europe NATO

Webcasts

Nov 6, 2014

Bronislaw Geremek Lecture 2014

By Atlantic Council

Please join the Atlantic Council and the Embassy of Poland on Thursday, November 6, 2014 for a unique conversation with former Polish Prime Minister Jan Krzysztof Bielecki and former United States Senator Richard Lugar, as part of the annual Bronislaw Geremek Lecture.

Poland
MQ-9 Reaper armed UAV

NATOSource

Nov 5, 2014

Poland To Buy Armed Drones Amid Ukraine Crisis

By AFP

NATO member Poland said Tuesday it will acquire combat drones as part of a multi-billion-euro revamp of its armed forces amid heightened tensions with Russia over its role in the Ukraine crisis.

Poland Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin, Oct.17, 2014

NATOSource

Oct 29, 2014

Online Security Experts Link More Cyber Attacks to Russian Government

By New York Times and Guardian

From Nicole Perlroth, New York Times:  For the second time in four months, researchers at a computer security company are connecting the Russian government to electronic espionage efforts around the world.

Cybersecurity Hungary
US troops participating in Combined Resolve exercise, Oct. 25, 2014

NATOSource

Oct 27, 2014

Has Russia’s War on Ukraine Changed European Defense Budgets?

By Christopher P. Cavas, Defense News

Russia’s heightened aggressiveness has been on display for most of the year, notably in Crimea and Ukraine. But President Vladimir Putin’s military forces have been more antagonistic elsewhere,

France Germany
Poland plans to move troops to bases in the East

NATOSource

Oct 27, 2014

Poland Shifting Thousands of Troops to Its Eastern Borders

By Monika Scislowska, AP

Poland will move thousands of troops toward its eastern borders in a historic realignment of a military structure built in the Cold War, the country’s defense minister told The Associated Press on Monday.

Poland

Defense Industrialist

Oct 20, 2014

Can Coastal Artillery Backstop the Navy?

By James Hasik

Yes, but there are hard ways and easy ways for an army to stand up new capabilities.   The question of coastal artillery was all over the trade press last week, starting with a speech by Defense Secretary Hagel at the AUSA meeting. Hagel noted that for a century after 1812, the US Army protected American ports with a […]

China Japan
Russian President Vladimir Putin visiting Novorossiysk, Sept. 23, 2014

NATOSource

Oct 6, 2014

Russian and Polish Analysts Concerned War in Ukraine Could Escalate and Approach Nuclear Level

By Gideon Rachman, Financial Times

In European capitals I have visited recently – in particular, Warsaw and Berlin – certain ideas about the Ukraine crisis are regarded as established facts.

NATO Nuclear Nonproliferation
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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

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

Fellow

Tony Housh

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

Central Europe Economy & Business
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