Western Europe

Western Europe

Western European nations are at the heart of the transatlantic relationship. These countries are considered architects of the rules-based order, having played prominent roles at the Bretton Woods Conference, the founding of NATO, and the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community, the predecessor to the EU. As the transatlantic community faces internal strife, external pressures, and a new era of great power competition, US engagement with its Western European allies has never been more important.

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FEATURED COMMENTARY & ANALYSIS

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

Report Nov 10, 2025

France’s policy on China: Strategic autonomy and less naïveté

By Zoltán Fehér

Over the last decade, France’s long-standing engagement with China has transformed into a more nuanced and cautious dynamic, reflecting a growing emphasis on balancing. This shift is guided by France’s pursuit of strategic autonomy, its effort to “de-risk” economic and security ties, and the broader geopolitical realities unfolding in the Indo-Pacific.
China Economy & Business
Can King Charles’s state visit to the US help mend the special relationship?

New Atlanticist Aug 28, 2025

Germany wants to double its defense spending. Where should the money go?

By Atlantic Council experts

After decades of Berlin underinvesting in its defense, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has plans to transform the Bundeswehr into Europe’s strongest military. 
Defense Policy Europe & Eurasia
Can King Charles’s state visit to the US help mend the special relationship?

New Atlanticist Aug 19, 2025

Europe needs to keep up the momentum for Ukraine after its White House show of force

By Jörn Fleck, James Batchik

Among other steps, European leaders should press forward on defining what security guarantees for Ukraine look like.
European Union France

Program

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

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Content

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

UkraineAlert

Apr 23, 2026

Shakhtar Donetsk gives Ukraine’s war-weary football fans reason to cheer

By Mark Temnycky

Ukrainian football club Shakhtar Donetsk will face English team Crystal Palace next week in the first leg of their UEFA Conference League semifinal knowing that a win could provide a much-needed morale boost to millions of fans watching at home in war-torn Ukraine, writes Mark Temnycky.

Conflict Freedom and Prosperity

Transcript

Apr 17, 2026

Banque de France Governor François Villeroy de Galhau: ‘Europe and America will either win together or fall together’

By Atlantic Council

At an Atlantic Council event, the French central bank governor said that the US Supreme Court tariff decision “reminds us that American checks and balances might well be alive,” but it has “reopened legal uncertainty."

Economy & Business European Union

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Apr 9, 2026

While the military might be ready, is Britain as a whole prepared for a war?

By Elisabeth Braw

On April 9, Transatlantic Security Initiative senior fellow Elisabeth Braw was quoted in Forces News in an article discussing whether Britain is prepared for war.

Europe & Eurasia Security & Defense

MENASource

Mar 31, 2026

Can France and Algeria get their relationship back on track?

By Karim Mezran

There are signs of a thaw between Algeria and France; however, there appears to be no real political strategy for redefining the relationship.

France North Africa

In the News

Mar 25, 2026

Kroenig quoted in The New York Times on NATO, Trump, and Iran

On March 25, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was quoted in The New York Times on NATO Secretary General Rutte's praise of the war in Iran, arguing that Rutte openly criticizing President Trump would undermine the alliance.

Iran NATO

TURKEYSource

Mar 18, 2026

The unspoken yet growing synergy in Turkey–Spain relations

By Riccardo Gasco & Samuele C. Abrami

Spanish-Turkish defense cooperation could help normalize Turkey as a security actor within the Euro-Atlantic perimeter.

Europe & Eurasia NATO

Dispatches

Mar 4, 2026

What Macron’s changes to French nuclear policy mean for European security

By Jonathan Rosenstein and Emily Cheesman

The president’s plan, announced on March 2, expands France’s nuclear arsenal and deepens its cooperation on deterrence with European allies.

France Nuclear Deterrence

Dispatches

Mar 3, 2026

Experts react: How the world is responding to the US-Israeli war with Iran

By Atlantic Council experts

We turned to our global network to explain how leaders in Europe, Asia, and Latin America are viewing the ongoing US-Israeli war against Iran.

Argentina China

UkraineAlert

Mar 2, 2026

Europe must not seek Putin’s approval before sending troops to Ukraine

By Stephen Blank

European leaders representing Coalition of the Willing countries reportedly reject the idea of sending troops to Ukraine without first securing Russian President Vladimir Putin's approval, writes Stephen Blank.

Conflict European Union
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Experts

Fellow

Hanna Dohmen

Nonresident Fellow

Global China Hub

China Chinese

Fellow

William Drozdiak

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

Europe & Eurasia France

Millennium fellow

Katrin Eggenberger

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Justice and Culture of the Principality of Liechtenstein

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Europe Eastern Europe

Executive Leadership Intensive participant

Katerina Elias-Trostmann

Director, Climate & Nature for Latin America, Salesforce

Millennium Leadership Program

Brazil Climate Change & Climate Action

Fellow

Tobias Ellwood

Distinguished Fellow

GeoStrategy Initiative

Politics & Diplomacy Security & Defense

Staff

Peter Engelke

Senior Fellow, GeoStrategy Initiative

GeoStrategy Initiative Global Energy Center

Technology & Innovation
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