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
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

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

What to expect from Germany’s next government

Elections
Europe & Eurasia
European Union
Germany

Program

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

EXPLORE THE PROGRAM

Content

NATOSource

Apr 11, 2014

Happy Birthday, NATO

By Peter Westmacott

Not so long ago, many commentators were questioning whether NATO still had a role to play in today’s world.

Afghanistan NATO

NATOSource

Apr 9, 2014

Hesitation Within NATO will Encourage Russia to Test Alliance

By Artis Pabriks, atlantic-community.org

Since the end of the Russian-Georgian war in 2008, Russia has been seriously increasing its military budget (up 15-20% annually) and conducting military exercises with more than 100,000 personnel (Zapad 2009, Zapad 2013), targeted towards its western neighbours.

Germany NATO

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Oct. 22, 2010

NATOSource

Apr 7, 2014

Ukraine Crisis Exposes Gaps Between Germany and NATO

By Spiegel

Frank-Walter Steinmeier wasted little time after returning to Berlin from the NATO foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels last week.

Germany NATO

In the News

Apr 3, 2014

Burwell: Is the US-UK Relationship Still Special?

By Frances G. Burwell

VP and Transatlantic Relations Program Frances G. Burwell is quoted in the Telegraph on the US-UK relationship:

United Kingdom

NATOSource

Apr 3, 2014

UK-Estonian Defense Cooperation in NATO

By Chris Holtby, Estonian World

NATO became stronger through its enlargement 10 years ago and since then the UK has developed an especially close partnership with Estonia.

International Security Assistance Force NATO

NATOSource

Mar 31, 2014

NATO Should Buy the Mistral Warships Intended for Russia

By Jeff Lightfoot, Defense News

NATO should buy the two Mistral warships France is building for export to the Russian Federation this year and make them a commonly shared asset.

France NATO

NATOSource

Mar 31, 2014

Germany Mulls Military Support for NATO’s Eastern European States

By Madeline Chambers, Reuters

Der Spiegel said the defense ministry was ready to make available up to six aircraft for a strengthened air patrolling mission in parts of eastern Europe.

Central Europe Germany

Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and UK Minister of Defense Philip Hammond

NATOSource

Mar 28, 2014

UK Defense Minister: Putin Directly Overseeing Troop Buildup Near Ukraine

By Adam Entous, Wall Street Journal

Russian President Vladimir Putin is directly overseeing a military buildup near Ukraine and it is not clear to what extent his defense minister and others in the government are involved in the decision making, British Defense Minister Philip Hammond

Russia Ukraine

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, March 11, 2014

NATOSource

Mar 25, 2014

A Trading Power: Germany’s Hyperrealistic Foreign Policy

By Thomas Paulsen

German foreign policy is in dire straits, if we believe experts at home and abroad. Germany is criticized for being too passive on an international level, and for being unwilling to shoulder the kind of international responsibilities that would seem to be commensurate with its greater size.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

NATOSource

Mar 24, 2014

NATO Commander Warns of Russian Threat to Separatist Moldova Region

By Washington Post and Reuters

U.S. and Ukrainian officials warned Sunday that Russia may be poised to expand its territorial conquest into eastern Ukraine and beyond, with a senior NATO official saying that Moscow might even order its troops to cross Ukraine to reach Moldova.

Belarus Germany