FEATURED COMMENTARY & ANALYSIS

How France Will Be a Test of Europe’s Ability to Enforce Its Budget Rules

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

How France Will Be a Test of Europe’s Ability to Enforce Its Budget Rules

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

How France Will Be a Test of Europe’s Ability to Enforce Its Budget Rules

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

EVENTS

Public Event
Tue, May 6, 2025 • 12:30 pm ET

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

Europe & Eurasia
NATO
Security & Defense
Western Europe

Online Event
Tue, May 6, 2025 • 10:00 am ET

What to expect from Germany’s next government

Elections
Europe & Eurasia
European Union
Germany

Public Event
Thu, May 1, 2025 • 1:00 pm ET

Underwater mayhem: Countering NATO energy & critical infrastructure threats

Energy & Environment
Energy Markets & Governance
Europe & Eurasia
European Union

Program

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

EXPLORE THE PROGRAM

Content

New Atlanticist

Nov 26, 2014

How France Will Be a Test of Europe’s Ability to Enforce Its Budget Rules

By Andrea Montanino

European Union Aims to Put New Muscle into Limiting Deficits; Will it Succeed? Since 2009, France’s state budget has been breaking the rules. It has been exceeding the European Union’s limit on the size of deficits, which are limited (under the Maastricht Treaty) to 3 percent of gross domestic product unless there are exceptional circumstances. Once […]

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia
1st Cavalry Division tanks in Poland, Oct. 27, 2014

NATOSource

Nov 25, 2014

US Army May Pre-Position 100 More Armored Vehicles in Central Europe

By Jeff Schogol, Army Times

The U.S. Army intends to add at least 100 fighting vehicles to Europe by the end of next year, the commander of U.S. Army Europe told reporters on Monday.

Central Europe Europe & Eurasia
French Mistral class warship Dixmude, July 14, 2011

NATOSource

Nov 25, 2014

France Suspends Mistral Delivery to Russia ‘Until Further Notice’

By Reuters, BBC, and AFP

From Reuters:  France suspended indefinitely on Tuesday delivery of the first of two Mistral helicopter carrier warships to Russia, citing conflict in eastern Ukraine where the West accuses Moscow of fomenting separatism.

France Russia
500 British armored vehicles are participating in exercise Black Eagle

NATOSource

Nov 24, 2014

UK’s Show Of Force Against Russian Aggression

By SKY News and BBC

From SKY News:  More than 1,000 British troops and 500 armoured vehicles have been taking part in a military exercise in Poland, in a display of force not been seen since the Cold War.

Poland Russia
Italian soldier with Afghan National Police, March 15, 2013

NATOSource

Nov 19, 2014

Germany and Italy to keep up to 1,350 soldiers in Afghanistan

By Reuters

Germany and Italy plan to keep a total of up to 1,350 soldiers in Afghanistan in 2015 to help train local armed forces, their defense ministries said on Tuesday, a slightly larger contingent than had been previously expected.

Afghanistan Germany
Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, June 6, 2007

NATOSource

Nov 18, 2014

Merkel Issues Rebuke to Russia, Setting Caution Aside

By New York Times and Deutsche Welle

From Alison Smale, New York Times:  Tit-for-tat expulsions of diplomats. Russian naval ships showing up as world leaders meet in Australia. Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany telling Russia sternly to play by 21st-century rules

Australia European Union
Brandenburg Gate

NATOSource

Nov 13, 2014

Time for Germans to Earn the Gift of 1989

By Constanze Stelzenmüller, Brookings

At this watershed moment, Germany, dubbed the “reluctant hegemon” not so long ago, finds itself the pivotal player in Europe.

Europe & Eurasia France
8 northern European nations decide to strengthen defense cooperation

NATOSource

Nov 13, 2014

Northern European Nations to Boost Military Cooperation Against Russia

By Alister Doyle, Reuters

Eight northern European nations agreed on Thursday to step up cooperation to counter an increase in Moscow’s military activity that has included a tripling of NATO intercepts of Russian jets this year.

Northern Europe Russia
French warship Mistral (L9013)

NATOSource

Nov 7, 2014

Congressional Leaders Renew Call for NATO to Purchase French Warships Intended for Russia

By Eliot Engel, Mike Rogers, Mike Turner, Bill Keating, Steve Cohen, Gerry Connolly, Steve Chabot, and Jim Gerlach

Text of congressional letter sent to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

France NATO
French Mistral, Tonnerre (L9014)

NATOSource

Nov 6, 2014

French-Built Mistral Ships For Russia Could End Up In Canadian Hands

By Christopher Harress, International Business Times

The Canadian military has emerged as a potential destination for the controversial French-built Mistral helicopter carrier ships, built for Russia and now at the center of an international row

France Russia
Load More

Experts

Millennium fellow

Kirk Allen

Digital Communications Lead, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems

Millennium Leadership Program

Middle East NATO Partnerships

Fellow

Judy Ansley

Senior Advisor

Europe Center

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Gérard Araud

Distinguished Fellow

Europe Center

English Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Lisa Aronsson

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Europe & Eurasia NATO

Fellow

Tyson Barker

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

Cybersecurity Digital Policy

Staff

James Batchik

Associate Director

Europe Center

Central Europe Digital Policy
Load More

Events

Public Event Tue, May 27, 2025 • 9:00 am ET

The Rt Hon Lord Mandelson on Britain in an enduring transatlantic relationship
Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia Politics & Diplomacy Security & Defense