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

US Plan for New, Western-Trained Libyan Force Faces Obstacles

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

US Plan for New, Western-Trained Libyan Force Faces Obstacles

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

US Plan for New, Western-Trained Libyan Force Faces Obstacles

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.

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Content

Secretary of State John Kerry with Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan, September 26, 2013

NATOSource

Dec 5, 2013

US Plan for New, Western-Trained Libyan Force Faces Obstacles

By Abigail Hauslohner and Karen DeYoung, Washington Post

At the request of Prime Minister Ali Zeidan, the United States, Britain and Italy have agreed to train 5,000 to 8,000 troops, many of whom will be drawn from existing militias.

Italy Libya

New Atlanticist

Nov 27, 2013

Britain Outside Europe? The US View

By Jeffrey Lightfoot and Tim Oliver

UK Withdrawal from the EU Would be a Double Loss Britain is one of the United States’ most important relationships, but Britain’s position within the EU is central to its importance. A UK exit from Europe would weaken the geopolitical position of Britain and change the EU and Europe in ways which could be detrimental […]

Europe & Eurasia European Union
MARCOMET 2013

NATOSource

Nov 22, 2013

NATO’s Naval Leaders Meet to Discuss Global Security Challenges

By NATO Maritime Command

Today marks the beginning of a major conference in central London to address significant challenges to the future of global security and in particular maritime security.

NATO Security & Defense
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen

NATOSource

Nov 15, 2013

NATO Secretary General Announces Dates for 2014 Summit

By Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO

I am pleased to announce that the next NATO Summit will take place on September 4‑5, 2014.

NATO Security & Defense
US and allies will train new army outside of Libya

NATOSource

Nov 5, 2013

US and European Allies Building Libyan Army Bilaterally, Instead of Through NATO

By Frederic Wehrey , Foreign Affairs

Last month, discussing the Obama administration’s plans for a more modest Middle East policy, National Security Adviser Susan Rice noted that Washington “can’t just be consumed 24/7 by one region, important as it is.”

Italy Libya
The Franco-German Brigade

NATOSource

Nov 1, 2013

The Widening Gap Between France and Germany Over Defense

By Judy Dempsey, Strategic Europe

Steadfast Jazz takes place against the background of a widening gap between France and Germany over defense and security matters.

European Union France
UK Prime Minister David Cameron and NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, September 18, 2013

NATOSource

Nov 1, 2013

UK Prime Minister: 2014 NATO Summit will be in Wales

By South Wales Argus, Prime Minister's Office, and BBC

From South Wales Argus:  David Cameron said that a summit of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation is to meet at the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport next year.

NATO Security & Defense
Meeting of NATO Defense Ministers, October 14, 2010

NATOSource

Oct 11, 2013

Should NATO’s Article 5 Only Protect Allies that Bear Fair Part of Defense Burden?

By Andrew Roberts, Hoover Institution

“Britannia’s 19 Ships Can’t Rule a Single Wave” was a recent headline in London’s Sunday Times.

France Germany
Exercise ARRCADE CHARGER

NATOSource

Oct 9, 2013

Rapid Reaction HQ Testing New NATO Operational Concept

By Allied Command Operations

Close to 1000 personnel assigned to Headquarters Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (HQ ARRC) arrived at RAF St. Mawgan, Cornwall on Sunday to conduct a training exercise that will run through to Saturday 12 October 2013.

NATO Security & Defense
GCHQ at Cheltenham

NATOSource

Oct 1, 2013

Britain’s Government Network Attacked By ‘400,000 Advanced Malicious Cyber Threats’ in 2012

By Reuters and BBC

From Reuters:  Britain will recruit hundreds of computer experts to defend its vital networks against cyber attacks and launch high-tech assaults of its own, Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said on Sunday.

Cybersecurity Security & Defense
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Experts

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Lisa Aronsson

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Europe & Eurasia NATO

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Robert Bassett Cross MC

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Industry Defense Policy

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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, Programming and Development

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Brazil Human Rights
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