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

British Response to ‘Anchoring the Alliance’ Report

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

British Response to ‘Anchoring the Alliance’ Report

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

British Response to ‘Anchoring the Alliance’ Report

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

May 18, 2012

British Response to ‘Anchoring the Alliance’ Report

By Peter Westmacott

I’m glad that experts of the calibre of Nick Burns and Damon Wilson are discussing the importance of NATO in the run-up to this weekend’s summit. Their argument–that NATO matters as much now as ever, but that we all need to work to maintain it–is one the UK wholeheartedly supports. But I take issue with […]

NATO Security & Defense

NATOSource

May 17, 2012

Germany’s Reputation in NATO Has Hit Rock Bottom

By Ulrike Demmer and Christoph Schult, Spiegel

United Kingdom United States and Canada

New Atlanticist

May 16, 2012

Welcome to Merklande?

By Julian Lindley-French

Tal-y-Wern, deepest, darkest Wales. Plinlimmon, Cader Idris, and Mount Snowdon slumber around me as I write.  Those great, sleeping Welsh dragons that legend has it will awake in the hour of Cymru’s (Wales) greatest peril.

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

May 15, 2012

Germany: Economic Powerhouse, Second-Rate Military Power?

By James Joyner

“Germany today is an economic powerhouse, but a second-rate military power,” declares a new Atlantic Council report which warns, “Europe’s future relevance as a global strategic partner of the United States is contingent on Germany taking its full place as a much stronger political and military leader within Europe and the transatlantic Alliance.”

European Union Germany

New Atlanticist

May 15, 2012

A Five-Year Plan for Francois Hollande

By Nicholas Dungan

Today François Hollande has taken office as president of the French Republic. He has pressing priorities in his next five weeks but also a chance to make history in the next five years. Tonight he sees the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, in Berlin. Hollande has said that he values the French-German couple but does not […]

European Union France

New Atlanticist

May 14, 2012

Avoiding NATO ‘Dim and Dismal” Future Requires Big 5 Leadership

By James Joyner

Whether NATO can avoid the “dim and dismal future” Bob Gates warned about “will largely be determined by the quality of leadership demonstrated by its largest and most influential allies: the United States, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and Turkey,” warns the Atlantic Council in a new report. Under the leadership of Nick Burns and […]

NATO Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

May 9, 2012

The True Meaning of Solidarity, M. Hollande

By Julian Lindley-French

Cher M. Hollande, First, let me congratulate you on your victory. You are about to become president of a great country which is at the heart of European affairs and a major influence on world politics.

European Union France

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
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Experts

European Leadership Accelerator Participant

Martin-Sebastian Abel

Co-Founder & Managing Director, TransitionPlan

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Europe Economy & Business

Fellow

Didier Acouetey

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Economy & Business

Fellow

Anca Agachi

Nonresident Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Africa Conflict

Fellow

Léonie Allard

Nonresident senior fellow

Europe Center

Africa Chinese

Millennium fellow

Kirk Allen

Digital Communications Lead, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems

Millennium Leadership Program

Middle East NATO Partnerships

Fellow

Gérard Araud

Distinguished Fellow

Europe Center

English Europe & Eurasia
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