FEATURED COMMENTARY & ANALYSIS

Defense Minister: Germany Needs to Take More Responsibility Around the World

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

Defense Minister: Germany Needs to Take More Responsibility Around the World

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

Defense Minister: Germany Needs to Take More Responsibility Around the World

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

German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen in Afghanistan

NATOSource

Jan 28, 2014

Defense Minister: Germany Needs to Take More Responsibility Around the World

By René Pfister and Gordon Repinski, Spiegel

New Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen says that it is time for Berlin to take more responsibility. She also dreams of a European army.

Africa
Europe & Eurasia
Allies concerned about a diminished US global presence

NATOSource

Jan 23, 2014

Get Ready, the Indispensable Americans are Pulling Back

By Gideon Rachman, Financial Times

[T]he most important emerging theme in world politics is America’s slow retreat from its role as global policeman.

France
Israel

In the News

Jan 22, 2014

Dungan Quoted on Hollande’s Economic Reform Agenda

By Nicholas Dungan

Transatlantic Relations Senior Fellow Nicholas Dungan is quoted in the Financial Times on French President Francois Hollande’s efforts to reform France’s economy:

France
NATO's planned headquarters

NATOSource

Jan 21, 2014

New NATO Headquarters in Financial Trouble

By Fidelius Schmid and Christoph Schult, Spiegel

NATO is building a new headquarters for one billion euros. But the construction consortium is in financial difficulties and the project is at risk of being halted.

Germany
NATO
French commandos

NATOSource

Jan 21, 2014

Europe’s Sole Military Force: Giving France Respect Where it is Due

By Gregor Peter Schmitz, Spiegel

In Damascus, Tehran, Tripoli and even Washington, Paris is taken very seriously indeed.

Africa
Europe & Eurasia

Event Recap

Jan 21, 2014

France and the United States: companions in competitiveness

Competitiveness is a strategic issue and should be viewed as such my national governments. In his latest report, Companions in Competitiveness: How France and the United States Can Help Each Other Succeed in the Twenty-First Century, senior fellow Nicholas Dungan emphasizes that short term strategies are insufficient to address the relative loss of competitiveness in […]

France
Prime Minister David Cameron visiting British troops in Afghanistan

NATOSource

Jan 16, 2014

UK Prime Minister Says Robert Gates ‘Wrong’ About British Defense

By Telegraph and BBC

From Raf Sanchez, Telegraph:  David Cameron has sharply rejected a claim by the former US defence secretary that the government’s military cuts will prevent Britain from being a “full partner” with America.

United Kingdom
United States and Canada
Former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates

NATOSource

Jan 16, 2014

Defense Cuts Threaten US-UK Partnership, Says Robert Gates

By James Edgar, Telegraph

Defence cuts are limiting Britain’s capacity to be “full partner” with America, a former US defence secretary has said.

United Kingdom
United States and Canada

In the News

Jan 16, 2014

Pavel Quoted on Gates’ UK Barb

By Barry Pavel

Atlantic Council VP and Brent Scowcroft Center Director Barry Pavel is quoted in the Telegraph on former Defense Secretary Robert Gates’ criticism of UK defense spending cuts:

United Kingdom
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and Former UK Defense Minister Liam Fox

NATOSource

Jan 13, 2014

Liam Fox May Be Britain’s Candidate for NATO Secretary General

By Tim Shipman, Daily Mail

Liam Fox is being tipped as the next Secretary General of Nato more than two years after he quit the Cabinet.

NATO
Security & Defense
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Experts

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Henrique Arevalo Poincot

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Director, Europe and Russia and Eurasia Programmes, Chatham House

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Head of Sustainability, Smart DCC

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