Western Europe

FEATURED COMMENTARY & ANALYSIS

Will the ‘Merkozy’ Economic Strategy Survive the French Elections?

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.

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Content

Event Recap

May 8, 2012

Will the ‘Merkozy’ Economic Strategy Survive the French Elections?

By Jason Harmala

On May 8, 2012, the Atlantic Council hosted an on-the-record members’ conference call with Gideon Rachman, chief foreign affairs columnist at the Financial Times, on the repercussions of the French and Greek elections, as voters in both countries delivered a stinging rebuke to political parties which called for continued austerity and fiscal retrenchment.

Economy & Business France

NATOSource

May 5, 2012

UK urges Germany to pull its weight more on defense

By Gareth Jones, Reuters

From Gareth Jones, Reuters: Britain urged Germany on Wednesday to beef up its contribution to European defence and security, in line with its economic might, as the United States focuses increasingly on the Asia-Pacific region.

United Kingdom United States and Canada

NATOSource

May 5, 2012

UK Defense Minister: Germany can make biggest impact on NATO capabilities

By Philip Hammond, British Ministry of Defense

From Philip Hammond, British Ministry of Defense: The responsibility of European nations to defend their citizens can no longer be discharged by a strategy of homeland defence and a Fortress Europe.

United Kingdom United States and Canada

NATOSource

Apr 27, 2012

Why We Need a Smart NATO

By Julian Lindley-French, the New Atlanticist

From Julian Lindley-French, the New Atlanticist: The simple fact of strategic life is this. We live in a world of some seven billion plus souls all with legitimate needs and aspirations organized unevenly into more unstable and failing states than at any time since 1648

United Kingdom United States and Canada

NATOSource

Apr 25, 2012

France votes to throw down the gauntlet to Europe

By Gideon Rachman, the Financial Times

From Gideon Rachman, the Financial Times: France feels surrounded. To the south is the debt-driven austerity and social upheaval of Greece, Spain and Italy. To the north and west are the Anglo-Saxon markets of Wall Street and the City. To the east are the implacable Germans insisting on their new fiscal pact

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Apr 24, 2012

If Socialist Wins France, European Union Will Be ‘Irrelevant’

By Arnaud de Borchgrave

Award-winning journalist Arnaud de Borchgrave tells Jim Meyers and John Bachman of Newsmax that French President Nicolas Sarkozy will “squeak through” his upcoming election and remain in office, but a Sarkozy loss would lead to a decline of the European Union that could render it “irrelevant.”

Afghanistan European Union

NATOSource

Apr 24, 2012

NATO Members Spar over Post-Withdrawal Financing for Afghanistan

By Spiegel

From Spiegel: After the almost total withdrawal of ISAF troops at the end of 2014, according to the strategy, NATO members don’t want to leave the country entirely to its own fate.

United Kingdom United States and Canada

Event Recap

Apr 18, 2012

A Private Lunch Discussion with US Ambassador to Portugal Allan J. Katz

By Jason Harmala

On April 18, 2012 the Atlantic Council’s Transatlantic Relations Program hosted the US Ambassador to Portugal, Allan J. Katz, for an off-the-record discussion on the Eurozone crisis, its impact on Portugal, and more broadly, its effect on the political will for an expanded and more integrated Europe.

European Union International Organizations

NATOSource

Apr 13, 2012

American Decline and the Future of Interventionism

By Nicholas k.Gvosdev, World Politics Review

From Nicholas k.Gvosdev, World Politics Review: For the past 20 years, the United States has shown a willingness to use its armed might, but only in cases where the overwhelming American economic, military and technological advantages could be leveraged to reduce substantially the risk of loss to both people and equipment.

United Kingdom United States and Canada

Francois Hollande shakes supporters hands

New Atlanticist

Apr 12, 2012

Presuming President Hollande

By Nicholas Dungan

If François Hollande, the Socialist Party challenger to Nicolas Sarkozy, is elected president of France on May 6, he will face an immediate sizing-up of his leadership at the G8 and NATO summits on the morrow of his taking office on May 17. He should be expected to arrive at those summit meetings as a […]

France