United Kingdom

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

After Brexit: The road ahead

Dispatches Apr 27, 2026

Can King Charles’s state visit to the US help mend the special relationship?

By Ed Owen

The British monarch’s visit comes as relations between Washington and London are at their lowest point in decades.
Politics & Diplomacy United Kingdom
After Brexit: The road ahead

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
After Brexit: The road ahead

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

Program

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

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Content

New Atlanticist

Feb 3, 2020

After Brexit: The road ahead

By David A. Wemer

With Brexit now technically achieved, the remaining questions about the future UK-EU relationship will continue to dominate both sides in the years to come. Atlantic Council experts offered their response to the formal exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union and what lies ahead for both the UK and Europe.

European Union Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Feb 3, 2020

What will Brexit mean for energy markets?

By Global Energy Center

“Initial indications are that post-Brexit Britain will pay less attention to issues concerning climate change despite the fact that it is to hold COP 26 in Glasgow in November," John Roberts says.

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy Markets & Governance

UkraineAlert

Jan 22, 2020

Ukraine can feed Brexit Britain

By Bate C. Toms

The UK is Europe's biggest food importer and Ukraine is one of the continent's top agricultural producers. This makes a post-Brexit free trade deal a potentially big win for both countries.

Trade and tariffs Ukraine

New Atlanticist

Jan 21, 2020

The economic battleground between China and the United Kingdom

By Michael Greenwald

The importance of the Shanghai-London Stock Connect suspension will depend on whether additional policy moves targeting large British firms will follow. In terms of tangible effects, this event causes little economic disruption, but is probably the most symbolically important use of Chinese financial sanctions thus far.

China Financial Regulation

New Atlanticist

Jan 4, 2020

The Soleimani assassination: A view from Britain

By John M. Roberts

While UK political commentators were phrasing Britain’s low-key response to the assassination as even-handedness, the actual response on the ground is likely to be anything but.

Iran Iraq

New Atlanticist

Dec 20, 2019

Top ten risks of 2020

By Robert A. Manning, Mathew Burrows

2020 will likely bear more resemblance to the 1930s, as some of the developments which did not reach a denouement in the past year cross the finish line. Several simmering conflicts, symptoms of a global system under strain from US President Donald J. Trump’s “anti-globalist” America First doctrine, could well reach breakpoints in 2020. This may include a shift from the mere corroding of multilateral institutions and US alliances toward total dysfunction.

China International Norms

New Atlanticist

Dec 16, 2019

The domestic fallout from the UK general election

By John M. Roberts

The prime minister now has almost unfettered power, with little or no restraints from either the formal opposition parties or from within his own party. The new MPs assembling at Westminster today, many of them representing former industrial areas captured from Labour, present both a challenge and opportunity.

Elections United Kingdom
President Trump and Prime Minister Johnson meet with each other

New Atlanticist

Dec 15, 2019

Expect an early Johnson visit to Washington

By Peter Westmacott

As the UK focuses on completing Brexit and developing new trading links with the rest of the world, Washington and London will likely continue to look for ways to stay aligned.

United Kingdom

Inflection Points

Dec 14, 2019

Boris Johnson’s next act: Saving the UK

By Frederick Kempe

Prime Minister Johnson – who famously craves both public attention and a place in history – won the former and a shot at the latter through a British election victory this week that was the most convincing conservative victory since Margaret Thatcher in 1987. To save the United Kingdom itself, however, he must reverse course, or at least amend direction, on much of what he has said and done to win in the first place.

Europe & Eurasia European Union

New Atlanticist

Dec 13, 2019

Johnson triumphs in UK election: What’s next?

By David A. Wemer

“Much of the electorate seems to have bought the Johnson message that electing a Conservative government will mark the end of the Brexit process," Sir Peter Westmacott said. "In fact, it only signals the beginning of the real negotiations on Britain’s future relationship with the EU and the rest of the world."

Elections European Union
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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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