FEATURED COMMENTARY & ANALYSIS

Obama Abandons Poland and Czech Missile Defense

New Atlanticist
Jun 2, 2025

Experts react: Conservative Karol Nawrocki is Poland’s next president. What does it mean for Poland, Europe, and the world?

By
Atlantic Council experts

On June 1, the historian and former boxer triumphed in Poland’s presidential election. Atlantic Council experts share their insights on the contest, the winner, and what’s next.

Elections
Poland

Obama Abandons Poland and Czech Missile Defense

New Atlanticist
Mar 14, 2025

Why Poland’s president wants US nuclear weapons

By
Marek Magierowski

President Andrzej Duda said this week that US nuclear weapons should be deployed in his country. To understand why, look at not just Poland’s security but also its politics.

Central Europe
Nuclear Deterrence

Obama Abandons Poland and Czech Missile Defense

New Atlanticist
Jan 6, 2025

What to expect from Poland’s EU presidency and its focus on ‘Security, Europe!’

By
Aaron Korewa

Poland sought a leadership role in Europe, and now it has one as it takes up the six-month presidency of the Council of the European Union.

European Union
Poland

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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
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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


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Content

New Atlanticist

Sep 17, 2009

Obama Abandons Poland and Czech Missile Defense

By James Joyner

President Obama this morning announced the cancellation of the long-range missile defense system based in Poland and the Czech Republic agreed to by his predecessor in favor of a system of  sensors and interceptors based at sea.

Poland

New Atlanticist

Jun 2, 2009

Poland’s Democracy at 20

By James Joyner

As the 20th anniversary of the Solidarity movement’s triumph approaches, Poland finds itself divided politically and unhappy with its current state of affairs.  That’s a good thing.

Poland

New Atlanticist

May 11, 2009

Europe Betrays Its Mission in Prague

By Borut Grgic

The much-anticipated Prague Summit between the European Union and our eastern partners was a flop. The eastern partnership declaration published last Thursday is not worth the paper it was printed on.

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Feb 27, 2009

Poland Expects Worst on Missile Defense

By James Joyner

Warsaw seems resigned to the Obama administration reneging on an agreement signed by its predecessor to put a missile defense system in Poland.

Missile Defense Poland

New Atlanticist

Jan 22, 2009

Europe Lauds Secret Prison Shutdown

By James Joyner

President Obama’s order to “shut secret CIA-run prisons abroad brought renewed calls for their locations to be disclosed as well a fresh denial from Poland, one of two eastern European countries most closely linked to the practice,”  Shawn Pogatchnik and Frank Jordans report for AP

Poland

New Atlanticist

Jan 8, 2009

Dell Moves Jobs From Ireland to Poland

By James Joyner

While the outsourcing of manufacturing jobs from high wage countries to lower wage countries is a longstanding phenomenon, we mostly think of it as one between the developed and developing worlds, not something that takes place within the EU.

Economy & Business European Union

New Atlanticist

Dec 19, 2008

Poland Slashes Early Retirement Benefits

By James Joyner

Poland has drastically cut the number of workers eligible for early retirement, AP reports. Under current law, workers in some professions can retire and receive a state pension after only 15 years of employment.

Poland

Transcript

Nov 19, 2008

Transcript: Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski Talks to Council

By Peter Cassata

Full transcript of the November 19, 2008 event featuring Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski.

Missile Defense Poland

New Atlanticist

Nov 19, 2008

Melting the Russian Glacier

By James Joyner

Polish foreign minister Radoslaw Sikorski, speaking at the Atlantic Council today, declared that Russia’s justification for invading Georgia, that it was defending its friends abroad, is one that has been used by Russian autocrats for centuries to justify a doctrine of imperialism.

NATO Poland

Event Recap

Nov 19, 2008

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski Talks to Council

By Peter Cassata

His Excellency Radoslaw Sikorski, the Polish Foreign Minister, spoke today at the Atlantic Council as part of the Council’s Global Leadership Series.  He praised continuing U.S.-Polish cooperation and solidarity, noting Poland’s “traditional affinity” for the U.S.

Missile Defense NATO
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Experts

Fellow

Marek Magierowski

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Joanna Siekiera

Nonresident Fellow

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Rule of Law Polish

Fellow

Danuta Hübner

Distinguished Fellow

Europe Center

Democratic Transitions Economy & Business

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
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