Western Europe

FEATURED COMMENTARY & ANALYSIS

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

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

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
Thu, July 24, 2025 • 8:45 am ET

Germany’s digital minister on Europe’s digital competitiveness

Digital Policy
Economy & Business
Germany

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

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

Program

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

EXPLORE THE PROGRAM

Content

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk

NATOSource

Jun 17, 2014

Putin Has Exposed Divisions in Europe

By Matthew Kaminski, Wall Street Journal

To the east Russia is on the march. After a spike in violence over the weekend in eastern Ukraine, the Kremlin on Monday cut gas exports to the country, using an economic cudgel to go with the military one.

Central Europe France

German Troops in Multinational Corps Northeast, Sept. 19, 2009

NATOSource

Jun 17, 2014

Is Germany’s Framework Nations Concept a ‘Substantial NATO Compromise?’

By Jan Techau, Carnegie Europe

Something is sprouting in Germany.

Germany NATO

Webcasts

Jun 17, 2014

Security In and Around Europe: A Conversation with Ursula von der Leyen, German Minister of Defense

Please join us on June 19, 2014 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. for a conversation with Germany’s Minister of Defense, Ursula von der Leyen, on the future of security in and around Europe.

Germany

Webcasts

Jun 9, 2014

The Rt. Honorable David Lidington: The Ukraine Crisis and NATO as We Move Toward the Fall Summit

UPDATE: The Atlantic Council regrets that a change in Mr. Lidington’s schedule has made it necessary to cancel this event. As a result, we will be unable to offer the webcast described below. Please join us on June 18 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. for conversation with The Hon. David Lidington, UK Minister of […]

United Kingdom

Secretary General and NATO Defense Ministers, June 4, 2014

NATOSource

Jun 6, 2014

NATO Defense Ministers Approve Initiative on Multinational Forces and a New Cyber Policy

By NATO

Ministers approved Germany’s initiative on “Framework Nations”, which will help boost multinational cooperation to develop the forces and capabilities needed to meet NATO’s requirements and cope with new security challenges.

Cybersecurity Germany

President Barack Obama in Normany, June 6, 2014

NATOSource

Jun 6, 2014

Obama Honors D-Day Sacrifice: Normandy is ‘Democracy’s Beachhead’

By Barack Obama, Washington Post

Just last week, I received a letter from a French citizen. “Dear Mr. President and the American people,” he wrote, “we are honored to welcome you to thank you again for all the pain and efforts of the American people and others in our common struggle for freedom.”

France United States and Canada

In the News

Jun 5, 2014

Brattberg: Britain Outside Europe? The Swedish View

By Erik Brattberg

IP Journal, published by the German Council on Foreign Relations, features an op-ed by Scowcroft Center Fellow Erik Brattberg on the rift in relations that could arise between Great Britain and Sweden should Britain decide to exit the European Union:

Northern Europe United Kingdom

In the News

Jun 5, 2014

Workman on Impact of US Investigations into French Bank BNP Paribas

By Garrett Workman

The Associated Press quotes Global Business and Economics Program Associate Director Garrett Workman on the political and economic fallout from US investigations into transactions the French bank BNP Paribas may have conducted with clients in Iran, Sudan, and Cuba:

France

Challenger tanks of the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment, January 21, 2003

NATOSource

Jun 4, 2014

Britain Offers Tanks and 1,000 Troops for NATO Show of Strength Against Putin

By Ben Farmer, Telegraph

Britain has offered Nato an armoured battle group including up to 25 tanks to join exercises in Poland as a show of force against Vladimir Putin.

NATO Russia

Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel after meeting of NATO defense ministers, June 4, 2014

NATOSource

Jun 4, 2014

Hagel Escalates Obama’s Warning to Allies: US Support for NATO Could Be at Risk

By James G. Neuger and Gopal Ratnam, Bloomberg News

NATO defense ministers struggled to find a response to Russia’s Ukraine incursion, hemmed in by financial constraints, U.S. demands that Europe raise defense spending and a desire not to provoke the Kremlin.

Europe & Eurasia France