Southern and Southeastern Europe

Southern and Southeastern Europe play a critical role in the transatlantic community, given their close proximity to the EU’s Southern Neighborhood and NATO’s Southern Flank. The region has faced significant economic challenges in recent years, along with an influx of migrants and foreign interference. While these concerns persist in some countries, the region has seen rapid economic growth, a revival of democratic institutions, and new opportunities for leadership in major international organizations.

Explore
Ellinas in Cyprus Mail: Cyprus’ distorted RES market

Report Nov 10, 2025

Italy’s policy on China: The Belt and Road gamble and its aftermath

By Valbona Zeneli

From the Silk Road to the Belt and Road Initiative, Italy’s relationship with China has shifted from early enthusiasm to cautious recalibration. Once Europe’s gateway for Beijing’s ambitions, Rome now frames its China policy around transatlantic solidarity, balancing economic opportunity with strategic prudence.
China Economy & Business
Ellinas in Cyprus Mail: Cyprus’ distorted RES market

Report Nov 10, 2025

Greece’s policy on China: Debt-era deals and recalibration

By Valbona Zeneli

From the port of Piraeus to Brussels, Greece’s China policy has evolved from enthusiastic engagement and post-crisis dependency to strategic caution. Today, Athens’s is balancing economic pragmatism with transatlantic security commitments.
China Economy & Business
Ellinas in Cyprus Mail: Cyprus’ distorted RES market

Report May 20, 2025

The European Union Growth Plan for the Western Balkans: A reality test for EU enlargement

By Valbona Zeneli, Richard Grieveson, Isabelle Ioannides, Dimitar Bechev

EU enlargement faces a test case in the Western Balkans. The current plan offers real benefits before accession, creating incentives for reform, but questions of enforceability and the relatively low amount of financial support threaten the success of the EU’s political influence in the region.
Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

Program

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

EXPLORE THE PROGRAM

Content

In the News

Feb 13, 2022

Ellinas in Cyprus Mail: Cyprus’ distorted RES market
Energy Transitions Geopolitics & Energy Security

In the News

Feb 11, 2022

Ellinas in Financial Mirror: Aphrodite row needs quick fix
Oil and Gas Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Feb 11, 2022

Slavin quoted in Frankfurter Allgemeine on American hostages in Iran and US-Iran nuclear talks in Vienna

By Atlantic Council

Conflict German

In the News

Feb 9, 2022

Ellinas in Financial Mirror: LNG import chaos was predictable
Geopolitics & Energy Security Oil and Gas

In the News

Feb 6, 2022

Ellinas in Cyprus Mail: Radical new choices may Be needed for LNG imports
Geopolitics & Energy Security Oil and Gas

New Atlanticist

Jan 23, 2022

Is a breakthrough coming between Bulgaria and North Macedonia?

By Dimitar Bechev

While the momentum is there, multiple obstacles and spoilers lie ahead.

Politics & Diplomacy Southern & Southeastern Europe

TURKEYSource

Jan 20, 2022

Turkey’s muted response to Cyprus’ offshore drilling reflects a new diplomatic reality

By Serhat S. Cubukcuoglu

Turkey's response, or lack thereof, to Cyprus' recent moves to capitalize on natural gas resources in the Eastern Mediterranean marks a shift in diplomatic tone. While Turkey's stance has not changed, under the surface lies a changing geopolitical and economic reality.

Geopolitics & Energy Security Greece

New Atlanticist

Jan 13, 2022

Treat the Mediterranean like the center of the world again. Europe’s climate security depends on it.

By Katerina Sokou

Tackling climate change in the vulnerable coastal ecosystem requires a truly regional approach.

Climate Change & Climate Action Resilience

Report

Dec 7, 2021

An Alliance of Democracies: From concept to reality in an era of strategic competition

By Ash Jain, Matthew Kroenig, and Jonas Parello-Plesner

With the rules-based democratic order under threat, the United States and its allies need new entities that facilitate cooperation not just across the transatlantic, but among larger groups of democracies worldwide.

Australia Economy & Business

Press Release

Dec 1, 2021

Atlantic Council announces multi-year partnership on Black Sea security with the Romanian National University of Political Studies and Public Administration

The Atlantic Council will partner with the Romanian National University of Political Studies and Public Administration (SNSPA) on a major four-year body of work focused on the Black Sea region, which will familiarize the policy community with the complexities of this strategically important area for NATO and advance recommendations for transatlantic strategists.

Eastern Europe English
Load More

Experts

European Leadership Accelerator Participant

Inês Bravo Figueiredo

Co-President, Volt Portugal

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Europe Economy & Business

Fellow

Giangiacomo Calovini

Nonresident Senior Fellow, North Africa Program

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

English Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Julie Chon

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoEconomics Center

Americas China

Fellow

Gavin Clough

2023-24 Senior US Navy Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Policy Eastern Europe

Fellow

Jonathan R. Cohen

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Greece Iraq

Fellow

Dario Cristiani

Nonresident Senior Fellow, North Africa Program

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic English
Load More