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

Fixing the European Union’s Brexit strategy

Dispatches
May 15, 2026

The UK faces a dilemma over potential troop deployments to Ukraine. France can help.

By
Julia Salabert, Jason C. Moyer

France is currently punching below its weight in the Baltic area and could shoulder more of the burden.

France
NATO

Fixing the European Union’s Brexit strategy

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

Fixing the European Union’s Brexit strategy

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

Program

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

EXPLORE THE PROGRAM

Content

New Atlanticist

Jan 24, 2019

Fixing the European Union’s Brexit strategy

By Frances G. Burwell

The EU, by sequencing first the exit accord and only later the building of the future relationship, has constructed a deal which is unacceptable in the UK.

European Union Trade and tariffs

New Atlanticist

Jan 21, 2019

Yet another crisis day in Britain’s Brexit saga

By John M. Roberts

May doesn’t have to just deal with Parliament, she also has to address the practicalities of her Brexit plan.

European Union United Kingdom

New Atlanticist

Jan 16, 2019

May survives confidence vote, but now must deliver a new Brexit plan

By David A. Wemer

After surviving the no-confidence vote, May told Parliament that she believes it is her duty to deliver Brexit to the British people.

European Union United Kingdom

New Atlanticist

Jan 16, 2019

Lessons in leadership: Theresa May and Brexit

By Nicholas Dungan

From the beginning, May and most others in Britain—not only in politics but even, perhaps especially, in the media—completely misjudged the nature of the withdrawal process with the EU.

European Union United Kingdom

Bremain vs Brexit

Jan 16, 2019

Compromising Brexit: The challenge for May – and Corbyn

By John M. Roberts

So far, the focus has been on the idea that somehow, with just seventy two days left to go before Britain is scheduled to leave the EU, Corbyn and May might find a positive way to cooperate for the good of the country.

European Union United Kingdom

New Atlanticist

Jan 15, 2019

May’s Brexit deal stumbles in Parliament. Now she is fighting to save her government.

By David A. Wemer

At the end of her remarks on January 15, May promised that her government will not simply “run down the clock” toward the Brexit deadline.

European Union United Kingdom

New Atlanticist

Jan 14, 2019

The Brexit uncertainty that worries Ireland

By John M. Roberts

The Good Friday Agreement, which had to be approved by referenda on both sides of the border, ensured agreement in Dublin as well as Belfast that Northern Ireland would remain a part of the UK so long as its population voted to remain with Britain.

European Union United Kingdom

New Atlanticist

Jan 10, 2019

May’s Brexit deal faces another test. What if it fails?

By David A. Wemer

It remains unclear whether May’s government allies have been able to convince enough MPs to support the deal.

European Union Eurozone

Blogs

Dec 21, 2018

Economic Outlook for 2019

By Global Business & Economics Program

December 2018 is set to become the worst year-end finish for US markets since 1931. A yield curve inversion combined with the fourth annual rate hike by the US Federal Reserve (Fed) and growing geo-political uncertainty, triggered widespread angst among US investors about an economic slowdown and the increasing probability of a recession. This edition of the EconoGraphic assesses key economic indicators to make a case that while a slowing of the US economy seems certain, a recession in the next two years remains unlikely.

China Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Dec 21, 2018

Brexit will be detrimental for US ties with the UK and the EU

By Stuart E. Eizenstat

Brexit will be a blow to US-UK economic relations, to US companies doing business in the UK, and to the economy of the UK, the United States’ closest ally.

European Union Macroeconomics
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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

Fellow

Colin Buckley

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Freedom and Prosperity Inclusive Growth

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
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