FEATURED COMMENTARY & ANALYSIS

NATO Defense Spending Promises Largely Ignored

New Atlanticist
Oct 2, 2024

A man in a hurry: Keir Starmer’s early approach is making waves at home and abroad

By
Ed Owen

The new UK prime minister’s much-anticipated speech at the Labour Party’s recent gathering in Liverpool is a window into where the country may be headed.

Economy & Business
Elections

NATO Defense Spending Promises Largely Ignored

New Atlanticist
Oct 2, 2024

Three state elections have backed Germany into a corner

By
Jurek Wille and Friedrich Conradi

The recent successes of populist parties in Germany’s state elections could signal an imminent shift in Berlin’s policies on climate, immigration, and aid for Ukraine.

Elections
Germany

NATO Defense Spending Promises Largely Ignored

New Atlanticist
Sep 26, 2024

France’s new government aims to calm the political storm. What will it mean for foreign policy?

By
Léonie Allard, Jean-Loup Samaan

Prime Minister Michel Barnier is likely to follow the path of President Emmanuel Macron, but the big question is whether the delicate political context in Paris will allow ministers to focus on crises in Ukraine and Lebanon.

Europe & Eurasia
France

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The Rt Hon Lord Mandelson on Britain in an enduring transatlantic relationship

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Tue, May 6, 2025 • 12:30 pm ET

Belgium’s defense minister on Europe’s evolving security landscape

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What to expect from Germany’s next government

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

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Content

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, UK PM David Cameron, & President Barack Obama, June 25, 2009

NATOSource

Feb 27, 2015

NATO Defense Spending Promises Largely Ignored

By Sam Jones, Financial Times

Only two of Nato’s six biggest defence spenders — the US and France — will fulfil a pledge to protect military budgets made at the alliance’s summit five months ago.

France Germany
Prime Minister David Cameron and President Barack Obama, Sept. 4, 2014

NATOSource

Feb 26, 2015

Report: Six European Members of NATO Will Cut Defense Spending and Break Agreement Made at Wales Summit

By Denitsa Raynova & Ian Kearns, ELN

Preliminary reports from fourteen countries examined for fiscal year 2015 suggest that only one (Estonia) will spend 2% of GDP on defence.

Germany Hungary
Chairman of the Bundestag defense committee Hans-Peter Bartels, Dec. 31, 2012

NATOSource

Feb 26, 2015

Political Leaders in Germany Question Readiness of the Bundeswehr

By Local (Germany)

The Bundeswehr (German army) is currently only 75 percent equipped with tanks and other heavy weapons, with equipment shared between different units as and when they need it under a so-called “Dynamic availability management” system.

Germany NATO

Event Recap

Feb 25, 2015

Germany Army Chief of Staff Bruno Kasdorf on the State of Transatlantic Security

By Brent Scowcroft Center

The Atlantic Council’s Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security hosted Lieutenant General Bruno Kasdorf, the Chief of Staff of the German Army, on Monday, February 20. General Kasdorf presented the German perspective on international security issues, including the latest developments regarding NATO and Europe, in a new, dynamic security environment.

Germany NATO

Europe After The Vote

Feb 23, 2015

Details of Greece’s Reforms Plan are Key, Says Montanino

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Atlantic Council analyst says creditors want to know how Athens will fight corruption Greece’s creditors will scrutinize its reforms plan, which is aimed at securing a financial lifeline, for details on how the new government in Athens will tackle endemic problems such as corruption and tax evasion, according to Atlantic Council analyst Andrea Montanino. Greece […]

European Union Germany
Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, Feb. 22, 2013

NATOSource

Feb 20, 2015

Leon Panetta: You Have To Deal with the Russians from Strength

By Spiegel

Excerpts from interview of former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta by Markus Feldenkirchen and Holger Stark of Spiegel, February 14, 2015.

Germany Intelligence
British Defense Minister Michael Fallon, Aug. 16, 2014

NATOSource

Feb 19, 2015

Putin Will Target Baltic Republics Next, UK Defense Minister Warns

By Ben Farmer, Telegraph

There is a “real and present danger” that Vladimir Putin will launch a campaign of undercover attacks to destabilise the Baltic states on Nato’s eastern flank, the Defence Secretary has warned.

NATO Northern Europe
German soldiers training for mission in Kosovo, Jan. 28, 2014

NATOSource

Feb 19, 2015

German Soldiers Used Broomsticks Instead of Guns During NATO Exercise

By Telegraph, Washington Post, and the Local (Germany)

From Justin Huggler, Telegraph:  German soldiers used broomsticks painted black instead of guns during a joint Nato exercise last year due to severe equipment shortages, it has emerged.

Germany NATO
Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and British Prime Minister David Cameron, Sept. 4, 2014

NATOSource

Feb 17, 2015

David Cameron Will Encourage Britain’s Enemies If He Cuts Defense Spending, Warn Former NATO Chiefs

By Ben Riley-Smith, Telegraph

David Cameron will embolden Vladimir Putin and Islamic terrorists if he reneges on a commitment to spend two per cent of GDP on defence, two former Nato heads have warned.

NATO Russia
Ukrainian armored unit, Jan, 3, 2015

NATOSource

Feb 12, 2015

Mearsheimer: Don’t Arm Ukraine

By John J. Mearsheimer, New York Times

Sending weapons to Ukraine will not rescue its army and will instead lead to an escalation in the fighting. Such a step is especially dangerous because Russia has thousands of nuclear weapons and is seeking to defend a vital strategic interest.

Germany NATO
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Nik Foster

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Torrey Taussig

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Eastern Europe Europe & Eurasia

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Jason C. Moyer

Nonresident Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Europe & Eurasia NATO

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Anna Ascani

Vice President of the Chamber, Italy Chamber of Deputies

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Europe Education

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Henrique Arevalo

Visiting Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Elections Latin America

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Alexandre Marques Pinho

Adviser to the Minister, Portugal Ministry of Defence

Millennium Leadership Program

Europe & Eurasia Security & Defense
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