FEATURED COMMENTARY & ANALYSIS

Can Europe Play a Decisive Role in the Middle East?

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

Can Europe Play a Decisive Role in the Middle East?

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

Can Europe Play a Decisive Role in the Middle East?

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

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Content

The EU has the biggest single market and its sanctions can have real bite

NATOSource

Sep 17, 2013

Can Europe Play a Decisive Role in the Middle East?

By Charlemagne, Economist

The Arab world is where the EU should make its influence felt.

Europe & Eurasia
European Union
Quadrilateral consultations between Britain and Poland, Sept. 19, 2012

NATOSource

Sep 12, 2013

Britain and Poland: Europeans Need to Strengthen Their Defense Capabilities

By William Hague, Philip Hammond, Radoslaw Sikorski, and Tomasz Siemoniak

Europe is facing a number of complex and inter-connected challenges.

European Union
International Organizations
Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany

NATOSource

Sep 12, 2013

Germany is a Vegetarian in a World Full of Carnivores

By Gideon Rachman, Financial Times

While the US, Britain and France are agonising about intervention in Syria, there is no agonising in Germany. A large majority of the electorate wants to stay out of the conflict – and all of the big political parties agree.

France
Germany
Ed Miliband at Labour Party conference, September 2010

NATOSource

Sep 10, 2013

A Much Less Special Relationship

By Roger Cohen, New York Times

Britain’s decision not to stand with the United States, its closest ally, in possible military action to punish the Syrian regime for a deadly chemical weapons attack marks a watershed moment

European Union
International Organizations
Britain's nuclear deterrent remains "crucial" to NATO

NATOSource

Sep 10, 2013

NATO: UK Nuclear Might ‘Crucial’

By Express

Britain must not take advantage of the winding down of operations in Afghanistan to trim spending on defence, the head of Nato has warned.

NATO
Security & Defense
LTC POL AF Paul does his F-16 walkaround inspection before flight in Exercise Brilliant Arrow

NATOSource

Sep 9, 2013

NATO Concludes Air Training Exercise, Brilliant Arrow

By Allied Command Operations

One of the largest NATO air training events of the year, Exercise Brilliant Arrow, took place at Orland Airbase, in Norway from 25 Aug to 5 Sep 2013.

France
Germany

New Atlanticist

Sep 5, 2013

Is the Special Relationship Dead?

By Julian Lindley-French

Is the Anglo-American special relationship dead? In the wake of Parliament’s 29 August decision to block the use of British forces in any US-led strike on Syria British officers were ejected from planning meetings at US Central Command (CENTCOM). At this week’s G20 meeting in St Petersberg President Obama will pointedly have a private meeting […]

United Kingdom
United States and Canada
British Prime Minister David Cameron

NATOSource

Aug 30, 2013

Britain Drifts Towards Isolation

By Richard Haass, Financial Times

The British Parliament’s rejection of a motion endorsing UK participation in expected military action against Syria is nothing less than stunning – an event with a political significance that transcends the immediate debate

Europe & Eurasia
NATO
President Barack Obama

NATOSource

Aug 30, 2013

US Seeks Allies as UK Shuns Syria Action in Shock Vote

By Lorna Shaddick, FRANCE 24

The United States is still seeking an “international coalition” in response to Syria’s alleged use of chemical weapons, despite a vote against military action by British MPs, US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel said on Friday.

France
Syria
President of France Francois Hollande

NATOSource

Aug 30, 2013

Despite UK Vote, France Backs Action in Syria

By David Gauthier-Villars, Wall Street Journal

France sent a clear signal on Friday that it was preparing strikes against the regime of Bashar al-Assad, with President François Hollande saying the Syrian government’s alleged use of chemical weapons against its own people cannot go unpunished.

France
International Organizations
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Fellow

Ed Owen

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Lisa Aronsson

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Europe & Eurasia NATO

Staff

James Batchik

Associate Director

Europe Center

Central Europe Digital Policy

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

Fellow

Robert Bassett Cross MC

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Industry Defense Policy
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