Western Europe

Western European nations are at the heart of the transatlantic relationship. These countries are considered architects of the rules-based order, having played prominent roles at the Bretton Woods Conference, the founding of NATO, and the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community, the predecessor to the EU. As the transatlantic community faces internal strife, external pressures, and a new era of great power competition, US engagement with its Western European allies has never been more important.

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FEATURED COMMENTARY & ANALYSIS

Euro-Realism 2: How Safe is My Money?

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

Euro-Realism 2: How Safe is My Money?

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

Euro-Realism 2: How Safe is My Money?

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

New Atlanticist

Jul 25, 2012

Euro-Realism 2: How Safe is My Money?

By Julian Lindley-French

Lucullus, in Shakespeare’s Timon of Athens (spot the irony) warns, “This is no time to lend money, especially upon bare friendship without security.” As a Dutch tax-payer that warning carries little irony as billions of our hard-earned tax Euros have already vanished down the black hole of a failing currency – either in direct transfers […]

Economy & Business European Union

NATOSource

Jul 23, 2012

75% of Scots support an independent Scotland in NATO

By Tom Peterkin, the Scotsman

From Tom Peterkin, the Scotsman:  Three-quarters of Scots believe that an independent Scotland should stay in Nato, according to a new poll published as the SNP considers ending its long-standing opposition to the nuclear defence alliance. The overwhelming popular support for Scotland remaining within the Nato fold after any break-up of the UK will boost […]

United Kingdom

New Atlanticist

Jul 20, 2012

Euro-Realism: Why We Need a New European Security Strategy

By Julian Lindley-French

I am a Euro-realist, neither a Euro-sceptic, nor a Euro-fanatic. My motivation is to drive through the fathoms of political fantasy and folly pouring forth from the current crisis, much of its cascading down from on high as a generation of failed political leaders try to hide behind a rhetorical deluge.

European Union International Organizations

NATOSource

Jul 20, 2012

Confrontation in the Med? EU to enforce arms embargo against Syria

By Slobodan Lekic, the AP

European Union International Organizations

NATOSource

Jul 19, 2012

UK Defense Chief To NATO: Pull Your Weight In Europe While US Handles China

By Otto Kreisher, AOL Defense

United Kingdom United States and Canada

NATOSource

Jul 18, 2012

US State Department considered leader in e-diplomacy

By Nick Bryant, BBC

From Nick Bryant, BBC:  With its 140-character limit, Twitter hardly lends itself to diplomatic nuance.

United Kingdom United States and Canada

NATOSource

Jul 17, 2012

The danger of an inward-looking Europe

By R. Nicholas Burns, Damon Wilson & Jeff Lightfoot, the New Atlanticist

From R. Nicholas Burns, Damon Wilson & Jeff Lightfoot, the New Atlanticist:  Europeans today worry more about a weakened America than one that is too influential. Today, European leaders are worried about saving the Euro. European attention is fixated on the urgent need to preserve the common currency and the supranational solidarity that underpins the […]

Economy & Business European Union

NATOSource

Jul 17, 2012

UK spy agencies urged to wage war on cyber enemies

By the BBC

From the BBC:  Britain’s spy agencies and military have been urged by MPs to wage cyber warfare in the interests of national security.

Cybersecurity Security & Defense

NATOSource

Jul 16, 2012

The push for a greater ‘Europe’ is also dividing Europe

By Julian Lindley-French, the New Atlanticist

From Julian Lindley-French, the New Atlanticist:  The current crisis has painfully exposed what is the great European divide

European Union International Organizations

NATOSource

Jul 16, 2012

Scottish National Party considers NATO policy change

By the BBC

United Kingdom
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Experts

Fellow

Andrew Bernard

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

NATO Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Phyllis Berry

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Europe & Eurasia France

Fellow

Erik Brattberg

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

Danish Digital Policy

Executive Leadership Intensive participant

Stephanie Burrell

Head of Sustainability, Smart DCC

Millennium Leadership Program

Civil Society Energy & Environment

Staff

Giovana Cardoso

Associate Director, Development

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Brazil Human Rights

Millennium fellow

Tim Carlton Jones

Head of International Affairs, UK, Edelman

Millennium Leadership Program

Education Middle East
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