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

Future-proofing the World Trade Organization

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
Future-proofing the World Trade Organization

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
Future-proofing the World Trade Organization

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.

EXPLORE THE PROGRAM

Content

Econographics

Feb 27, 2024

Future-proofing the World Trade Organization

By Penny Naas

During the WTO's 13th Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi, ministers must make progress on the WTO's negotiations and dispute settlement processes.

China Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Feb 21, 2024

What I heard in Munich: Europe gets a brutal awakening

By Anna Wieslander

Fear loomed that next year, Europe would be squeezed between a fascist Russia and an undependable United States—a Europe that would be pretty much on its own.

Europe & Eurasia Germany

Inflection Points

Feb 20, 2024

Dispatch from Munich: The lessons of appeasement for US lawmakers withholding support for Ukraine

By Frederick Kempe

The lesson of Munich, then and now, is that the cost of countering a despot will only grow.

Conflict Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Feb 17, 2024

Braw quoted by The Guardian on sanctions against Russia

By Elisabeth Braw

On February 17, Transatlantic Security Initiative senior fellow Elisabeth Braw was quoted by The Guardian on sanctions against Russia.

NATO Russia

UkraineAlert

Feb 15, 2024

Ukraine’s Black Sea success offers hope as Russian invasion enters third year

By Peter Dickinson

Ukraine's remarkable success in the Battle of the Black Sea exposes the emptiness of Russia's red lines and provides a road map for victory over Putin, writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict Defense Technologies

In the News

Feb 15, 2024

Shaffer featured in Reuters on IEA’s clean energy initiatives
Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

In the News

Feb 3, 2024

Khakova joins DW to discuss effects of US LNG permitting pause
Energy Markets & Governance Geopolitics & Energy Security
Model of natural gas pipeline and Russian flag, July 18, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

Report

Jan 25, 2024

How Europe can escape its structural energy weakness amid great power competition

By Ben Judah, Tim Sahay, Shahin Vallée, and Francis Shin

This report argues that the EU will need to engage in deep structural and political reforms to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels.

Africa Climate Change & Climate Action

In the News

Jan 24, 2024

Dean quoted in the Australian on the future of AUKUS

On January 23, IPSI nonresident senior fellow Peter Dean was quoted in an article in the Australian examining the future of AUKUS in the event of another presidential term for Donald Trump.

Australia Elections

In the News

Jan 23, 2024

Dean quoted in the Australian Financial Review on protecting AUKUS technology

On January 22, IPSI nonresident senior fellow Peter Dean was quoted in an Australian Financial Review article, where he explained that Australian private sector security arrangements are insufficient to protect sensitive AUKUS technology.

Australia China
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Experts

Fellow

Henrique Arevalo Poincot

Visiting Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Elections Latin America

Fellow

Lisa Aronsson

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Europe & Eurasia NATO

European Leadership Accelerator Participant

Anna Ascani

Vice President of the Chamber, Italy Chamber of Deputies

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Europe Education

Fellow

Tyson Barker

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

Cybersecurity Digital Policy

Fellow

Robert Bassett Cross MC

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Industry Defense Policy

Staff

James Batchik

Associate Director

Europe Center

Central Europe Digital Policy
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