United Kingdom

Comprised of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, the United Kingdom (UK) is a long-time friend and ally of the United States. As Brexit upends British politics, the traditional US-UK relationship remains more vital than ever to both countries and the larger transatlantic community. Despite wrestling with internal challenges, the UK plays an important leadership role in the international system as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, a NATO leader, and the bridge between Europe and the United States on issues of defense, security, sanctions, and trade.

FEATURED COMMENTARY & ANALYSIS

Belgian Van Rompuy, UK’s Ashton win top EU jobs

New Atlanticist
Sep 19, 2025

Three things to note in the UK’s new Defence Industrial Strategy

By
Deborah Cheverton

“Defence is an Engine for Growth,” according to an important new British military strategy published on September 8.

Defense Industry
Defense Policy

Belgian Van Rompuy, UK’s Ashton win top EU jobs

New Atlanticist
Jul 17, 2025

Macron and Starmer have a plan to reset Anglo-French relations. What’s in this ‘Entente Industrielle’?

By
Philippe Dickinson

The French president’s three-day trip to the United Kingdom saw several notable and welcome announcements. But the real test will be what comes next.

Defense Industry
France

Belgian Van Rompuy, UK’s Ashton win top EU jobs

New Atlanticist
Jun 4, 2025

The UK Strategic Defence Review lays out an ambitious roadmap for reform. Will the government deliver?

By
AM Sir Christopher Harper, KBE, RAF (Ret.)

The review is a positive step toward revitalizing the United Kingdom’s defense posture, but its success will depend on funding and follow-through.

Conflict
Defense Industry

Program

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

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Content

NATOSource

Nov 20, 2009

Belgian Van Rompuy, UK’s Ashton win top EU jobs

By Reuters

From Reuters: European Union leaders named Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy, who is little known outside his own country, as the bloc’s first president on Thursday to lead efforts to make it more influential on the world stage. They also chose Baroness Catherine Ashton, a Briton little known even in her own country, as […]

European Union International Organizations

NATOSource

Nov 18, 2009

Slovakia to add 250 NATO troops to Afghan mission

By the AP

From the AP: Slovakia pledged about 250 extra soldiers Tuesday to the NATO-led force in Afghanistan, the first of what British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said would be a series of international reinforcements. The central European country will double the size of its 246-strong contingent in Afghanistan, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said in a […]

United Kingdom

NATOSource

Nov 17, 2009

Italy’s Foreign Minister says post-Lisbon EU needs a European Army

By the Times (London)

From the Times (London): Italy is to push for the creation of a European Army after the “new Europe” takes shape at this week’s crucial EU summit following the adoption of the Lisbon Treaty. Franco Frattini, the Italian Foreign Minister, said that the Lisbon Treaty had established “that if some countries want to enter into […]

European Union International Organizations

NATOSource

Nov 13, 2009

Americans and Western Europeans Agree on Afghanistan-Pakistan Extremist Threat

By the Pew Research Center

From the Pew Research Center: A transatlantic consensus exists with regard to the threat posed by extremists in Afghanistan and Pakistan, even though Americans and Western Europeans generally disagree about what policy to pursue in Afghanistan. A 14-nation survey by the Pew Research Center’s Global Attitudes Project, conducted Aug. 27 through Sept. 24, finds Americans […]

United Kingdom United States and Canada

NATOSource

Nov 13, 2009

Britain Asks Allies for More Troops in Afghanistan

By the New York Times

From the New York Times: As the Obama administration ponders whether to commit more American troops to Afghanistan, Germany on Friday announced a modest increase in its contingent and Prime Minister Gordon Brown of Britain said he was pressing European and other allies to deploy 5,000 more soldiers there… “I have taken the responsibility of […]

United Kingdom

NATOSource

Nov 12, 2009

NATO military visits Beijing to discuss piracy operations

By NATO

From NATO: Military staff from NATO’s Maritime Command in Northwood, UK, visited Beijing last week to attend an international counter-piracy meeting hosted by the Chinese Ministry of Defence. The purpose of the meeting was to strengthen the international coordination between navies around the world to protect ships from pirate attacks in the Gulf of Aden […]

United Kingdom

NATOSource

Nov 11, 2009

Slovenia hosts second seminar on NATO’s new Strategic Concept

By NATO

From NATO: NATO’s second seminar on the New Strategic Concept will be held at the Conference Centre in Brdo, Slovenia on Friday 13 November 2009… Hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defence of Slovenia with the support of the UK’s Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), the event will bring together […]

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Nov 5, 2009

Margaret Thatcher: Reflections on Winning the Cold War

By Margaret Thatcher

As the world celebrates 20 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall it is right that we should reflect on the impact of those momentous months.

Germany United Kingdom

NATOSource

Nov 4, 2009

Uniting All of the Allies Some of the Time

By the New York Times

From the New York Times: Having fulfilled its promise to restore respect and support from America’s allies, the Obama administration should now be reaping the benefits of Western unity as it faces international crises like Afghanistan and Iran. But the unfortunate truth is that where Western unity is sufficient, it is not real. And where […]

United Kingdom United States and Canada

NATOSource

Oct 30, 2009

Europe’s Obama Fatigue

By foreignpolicy.com

From foreignpolicy.com: Despite George W. Bush’s defiant “you’re with us or you’re against us” public stance, he actively solicited advice and input from his NATO partners. Obama, by contrast, is saying all the right things in public about transatlantic relations and NATO but adopting a high-handed policy and paying little attention to Europe. And Europe […]

European Union International Organizations
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Experts

Fellow

Lisa Aronsson

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Europe & Eurasia NATO

Fellow

Robert Bassett Cross MC

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Industry Defense Policy

Staff

James Batchik

Associate Director

Europe Center

Central Europe Digital Policy

Executive Leadership Intensive participant

Stephanie Burrell

Head of Sustainability, Smart DCC

Millennium Leadership Program

Civil Society Energy & Environment

Staff

Giovana Cardoso

Associate Director, Development

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Brazil Human Rights

Fellow

Deborah Cheverton

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Afghanistan Defense Industry
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