United States and Canada

The United States has enjoyed an unparalleled period of peace and prosperity since the end of the Second World War, due to its construction of a rules-based international order and maintenance of close alliances and partnerships. Canada has been a key partner for the United States, both due to their close economic links and their shared border, the world’s longest at 5,525 miles. Canada is also a key NATO ally for the United States and is active in international diplomacy around the world.

US replacing 2 brigades with twice yearly battalion exercises in Europe

Inflection Points
Mar 31, 2025

‘What you’re witnessing is a revolution.’ Making sense of Trump’s head-spinning moves.

By
Frederick Kempe

As the past week made clear, the Trump administration is pushing ahead with what it sees as a revolution in the US approach to the world.

Economy & Business
Greenland

US replacing 2 brigades with twice yearly battalion exercises in Europe

New Atlanticist
Mar 27, 2025

Our experts separate Signal from noise in the Trump team’s messages about bombing the Houthis

By
Atlantic Council experts

The still-unfolding revelations offer perhaps the clearest picture yet of how top officials in the Trump administration are thinking about US foreign policy.

Intelligence
Maritime Security

US replacing 2 brigades with twice yearly battalion exercises in Europe

Issue Brief
Mar 27, 2025

Canada needs an economic statecraft strategy to address its vulnerabilities

By
Kimberly Donovan, Maia Nikoladze, Lize de Kruijf

To address threats from Russia and China and reduce trade overdependence on the United States, Canada’s federal government will need to consolidate economic power and devise an economic statecraft strategy that will leverage Canada’s economic tools to mitigate economic threats and vulnerabilities.

China
Cybersecurity

Content

NATOSource

Feb 3, 2012

US replacing 2 brigades with twice yearly battalion exercises in Europe

By Leon Panetta, the Department of Defense

From Leon Panetta, the Department of Defense:  I also should mention that I again reaffirm that as part of our strategy, one of the pillars in our strategy is to maintain our strong partnership with NATO

United States and Canada

NATOSource

Feb 3, 2012

Panetta on Afghanistan 2013: ‘We will engage in combat operations as necessary’

By Leon Panetta, the Department of Defense

From Leon Panetta, the Department of Defense:  First, as an alliance, obviously we are fully committed to the Lisbon framework:  in together, out together.

NATO Security & Defense

NATOSource

Feb 3, 2012

A Leaner NATO Needs a Tighter Focus

By Hans Binnendijk, the International Herald Tribune

From Hans Binnendijk, the International Herald Tribune:  European nations have slashed their defense budgets to record low levels without much regard for NATO’s overall defense requirements.

United Kingdom United States and Canada

NATOSource

Feb 3, 2012

NATO defense ministers ‘consumed by semantics’ over end of combat missions in Afghanistan

By Elisabeth Bumiller, the New York Times

From Elisabeth Bumiller, the New York Times:  Reacting to consternation among NATO allies, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta sought to clarify on Thursday night that American troops would not step back entirely from combat in Afghanistan next year

NATO Security & Defense

NATOSource

Feb 2, 2012

Why Obama Is Right to Withdraw From Afghanistan Early

By James Joyner, the Atlantic

From James Joyner, the Atlantic:  The Obama administration’s acceleration of its Afghanistan withdrawal deadline to 2013, a year earlier than planned, is a break with America’s commitment to its NATO and Afghan allies

United States and Canada

NATOSource

Feb 2, 2012

NATO to consolidate air command operations at Ramstein

By John Vandiver, Stars and Stripes

From John Vandiver, Stars and Stripes:  As part of a plan to consolidate its air command headquarters, NATO officials have decided to make Ramstein Air Base the hub for alliance missions that range from NATO’s air police operations to a growing missile defense program

NATO Security & Defense

NATOSource

Feb 2, 2012

U.S., NATO seek to clarify Panetta comments on ending Afghan mission

By Craig Whitlock, the Washington Post

From Craig Whitlock, the Washington Post:  U.S. and NATO officials struggled Thursday to clarify how long their troops would remain engaged in combat in Afghanistan, a day after Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said U.S. forces would shift toward a training and advisory role next year.

NATO Security & Defense

NATOSource

Feb 2, 2012

‘Panetta may have triggered an unseemly rush for the exit’ from Afghanistan

By Clausewitz, the Economist

From Clausewitz, the Economist:  The secret NATO report on the Taliban leaked to the BBC is full of fascinating stuff, but it mostly confirms what was already known rather than shedding new light on the conflict in Afghanistan. The report, called “The State of the Taliban” and based on interrogations with more than 4,000 Taliban […]

United States and Canada

NATOSource

Feb 1, 2012

Panetta: U.S. plans to end combat missions in Afghanistan in 2013

By Craig Whitlock, the Washington Post

From Craig Whitlock, the Washington Post:  The United States and NATO will seek to end their combat mission in Afghanistan next year and shift to a role of providing support and training to Afghan security forces

NATO Security & Defense

NATOSource

Feb 1, 2012

Panetta faces tough NATO meeting after budget shift

By David Alexander, Reuters

From David Alexander, Reuters:  The NATO meeting in Brussels on Thursday and Friday comes a week after [Defense Secretary Leon] Panetta previewed a defense budget that calls for slashing American force numbers in Europe, part of a new U.S. military strategy that puts Asia and the Middle East as top priorities with Europe a lowly […]

NATO Security & Defense
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Experts

Expert bio

Jeanne Benincasa Thorpe

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Adrienne Arsht National Security Resilience Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Resilience & Society United States and Canada

Fellow

Ryan Berger

Nonresident Fellow

Global China Hub

Americas Cybersecurity

Staff

Charlotte Bertrand

Project Assistant

GeoStrategy Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

China Defense Industry

Millennium fellow

Jian Bland

Vice President of Workplace Experience, Mastercard New York City Technology Hub

Millennium Leadership Program

Technology & Innovation United States and Canada

Fellow

Joseph T. Bonivel Jr.

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoTech Center

Cybersecurity Defense Technologies

Millennium fellow

Zeina Boustani

Director, Strategy & Operations, Mastercard

Millennium Leadership Program

Human Rights Middle East
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Events

Public Event Thu, March 12, 2026 • 10:00 am ET

Resilience in Security and Economics Dialogue
Central Europe Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia Politics & Diplomacy
Public Event Tue, March 17, 2026 • 9:30 am ET

Transmission 2026: Durable infrastructure and regulations for a new digital age
Energy & Environment Energy Transitions United States and Canada
Flagship Event Fri, December 11, 2026 • 8:30 am ET

2026 Transatlantic Forum on GeoEconomics

The Transatlantic Forum on GeoEconomics is an annual flagship convening focused on issues at the nexus of economics, finance, foreign policy, and national security.
Digital Policy Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia European Union